Wiles Barbara Lynda

Inspection report for early years provision

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201720 Unique Reference Number 09 October 2006 Inspection date Christine Lynn Williams Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a residential area of Stratford. The childminder's parents live in a separate annexe of the home. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five who attend part time. She regularly attends a local parent and toddler group. The family has a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing a clear understanding of good hygiene practices because the childminder explains the importance of hand washing and provides encouragement and support. There are good standards of hygiene throughout the home and this ensures children's general good health. Children’s medication and health issues are accurately recorded and shared with parents and the childminder uses her first aid knowledge to handle and record any minor bumps and bruises. A common sense approach is used to manage and control hygiene arrangements relating to pets and children always wash their hands after stroking or playing with the family’s cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop positive attitudes to exercising their bodies and get plenty of fresh air. They play in the garden, go for walks to see the horses in the field, or collect leaves and feed the ducks. They regularly visit the local park to enjoy using large apparatus such as swings and slides or to simply make the most of large open spaces. Children also make wide use of the garden during the summer months, learning to control and co-ordinate their bodies as they use push chairs, rockers, sit-and-rides or play with balls.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy meal times as they sit together around the table, learning simple table manners and enjoying talking about their families and sharing their experiences. Most food is provided by parents, although the childminder offers snacks of different fruits each morning and ensures children drink regularly throughout the day. They enjoy making cakes each week, however rarely talk about their food in order to help them understand why some are healthier than others. As a result, children are not helped to develop a clear understanding of healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm and welcoming atmosphere where they move freely and safely around spacious rooms and can sit or lay comfortably to play. They are kept secure and well supervised, can easily reach their toys and play happily together and with the childminder. Children enjoy choosing their own playthings and the childminder responds positively to their requests for changes of activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A good range of safety features protect children from harm. A risk assessment and safety check list has been developed and is used to ensure all safety aspects are highlighted as a priority. For example, the childminder ensures smoke alarms are in good working order, carries out regular fire drills and checks that safety gates are in place and secure. Gentle reminders are used to help children to learn to adhere to rules and boundaries that keep them and their friends safe. For example, they know not to throw toys and the importance of not leaving things on the floor in case other children trip over them. They know how to leave the home quickly in an emergency, because they have practised this regularly and are protected when on outings and trips because they understand road safety rules, such as to always hold the childminder's hand and to stop, look and listen before crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are well protected because the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and knows the appropriate procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play happily together and are given time to follow their own interests. Good, warm and caring relationships are developed as the children talk and play easily with the childminder and each other. This helps children to enjoy their time with the childminder and to learn new things. They are well cared for because the childminder has a good understanding of their individual needs and routines and organises her time to allow her to play and talk with them. She has begun to provide activities in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is planning to attend training on this to further extend and increase the range of experiences she offers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from stimulating activities that help them to learn new skills, make connections with other experiences and talk about what they are doing. Young children learn to speak clearly and express themselves as the childminder constantly talks to them and repeats new words such as 'doughnut' and 'computer.' Their imagination is encouraged through creative experiences such as pretending to make dinner or making their own kites from paper and flying them in the garden. They begin to develop an understanding of colours and counting as the childminder shows them which is the green or blue crayon and she helps them count the number of pieces in a puzzle. They enjoy sand and water play in the garden and they discover texture as they use their fingers to play with glue and paints. These activities are further enriched by everyday experiences such as helping to make cakes and joining-in with simple household

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

chores such as dusting. Children learn about the world around them as they feed the ducks and go for nature walks, while quiet times are also offered where they can nap comfortably on the settee or sit quietly to watch TV. There are weekly trips to the toddler group and they extend their knowledge of their local community with walks around the local area and visits to the shops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, well stimulated and enjoy the constant attention they receive. They readily approach the childminder for comfort and reassurance, chat easily with her and play together well. Children’s individuality is nurtured well and there are good arrangements for helping children to settle quickly and feel secure. For example, information about children’s interests, what they can do and their favourite toys is gained from parents before they start at the setting so that the childminder can plan ahead to provide toys and activities that children will find familiar and comforting. Toddlers develop trust and close relationships with the childminder because she involves them in everything she does. They know she is always close at hand and will keep them safe because of the gentle reminders they receive to share, play together and not to touch things that may harm them. She is quick to help young children learn to cope with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

sharing issues and helps them learn to take turns with their playthings by using distraction and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 patient explanation. Positive behaviour is frequently praised, while the childminder discourages negative behaviour by helping children to see the result of their actions. Clear boundaries are set and house rules take into account children's ages, understanding and the need for consistent messages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are welcomed and enjoy an atmosphere where they develop a strong sense of self-worth because they are made to feel that they matter. Books, stories and the celebration of children's special days all help them develop a balanced view of the world and to acknowledge differences and similarities. Suitable arrangements are made to ensure all children are included and the childminder understands that some children may have special needs and has thought about how she might care for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A strong relationship is built with parents based on respect and mutual trust. This is developed through the settling in procedure which ensures parents' wishes are identified and met. Detailed information is gained from parents so that they can share their knowledge of their own children. There is a collaborative approach used with parents and this allows for a constant two-way flow of information and helps them to understand and contribute to how their children are cared for. Parents are told what their children have been doing each day and they take home their children's craft work, which is dated, so that they can monitor what progress their children are making. Parents also have access to written statements about the childminder's policies and procedures and know how to raise a complaint or concern on behalf of their children if they wish to.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s care is supported by the way the childminder organises her home, provides activities and resources and ensures all adults in the household are suitably checked. Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable and homely environment where space is well organised, so that children can move freely as their play develops.

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Organisation

All required documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place and these are efficiently organised and kept up-to-date to allow the childminder to meet children’s needs and maintain confidentiality. The childminder has developed a series of written policies to help parents understand her practice. Agreements with parents are recorded and acted upon and this provides consistency for the children and reassurance for parents. Overall, the needs of all children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve the variety of play equipment available to children and to become familiar with recent early years practice developments and publications, including the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Reasonable progress has been made since the last inspection. Methods used to promote young children's development and learning have been improved by introducing some activities linked to the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children now have greater opportunities to explore

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and learn through all of their senses through an increased use of different textures and sensory play such as sand, water, glue and paint. The childminder has also booked a place on a 'Birth to three matters' training course to further extend and increase the range of experiences she offers.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The variety of play equipment available to children has been improved since the last inspection. New equipment such as jigsaws, car mats, cars, books and craft materials have been purchased and the childminder intends to continue to gradually extend the range of toys offered to ensure that children are kept stimulated at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

In August 2005 the carer of a child attending the childminder made a complaint to Social Services that she thought that a member of the childminder's family was acting in an inappropriate manner. This relates to National Standard 1 Suitable Person. The matter was investigated by both Social Services and Ofsted who were unable to substantiate the allegations. The childminder remains suitable for registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • devise ways of helping children to develop a clear understanding of healthy eating.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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