Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY320687 Unique Reference Number 06 October 2006 Inspection date Dianne Andrews 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives in a terraced house in a town within North Shropshire with her husband and daughter aged one year. The kitchen and conservatory are the main activity areas used while providing a childminding service. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for up to five children aged under eight years and presently has three children on roll.

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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 good. Children learn about good hygiene practice through well-planned daily routines. They are helped to wash their hands before meals and use individual towels and wipes. They benefit from the good systems in place to ensure they have appropriate care when they are ill or have an accident and nappy change procedures, which include the childminder's use of gloves and aprons, protect them from the risks of cross-infection. The childminder knows the children well and ensures that information about any allergies is complete and up to date. Written policies and procedures are implemented and shared with parents to provide consistency when recording accidents and the administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder plans a varied menu, ensuring that children are provided with nutritious and balanced meals that appeal to them. They enjoy freshly prepared, home-cooked meals such as pasta bake with bread and butter, followed by yoghurt or fresh fruit, and snacks such as cubed cheese, breadsticks and toast. Drinks are offered regularly to ensure that children do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for active play to ensure that they make appropriate progress in their physical development and promote a positive sense of well-being. They enjoy use of the local play park and develop confidence using the age-appropriate equipment available. They are encouraged to use a wide variety of smaller equipment, such as lift and see jigsaws and a variety of early construction materials to develop their finer control skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play, eat and sleep in a clean, well-maintained premises and benefit from a range of good quality toys, furniture and resources, which are safety-checked prior to use. The effective organisation of toys and activities means children can move around safely and independently and make choices about their play from the resources available in the range of clear storage boxes around the room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a secure indoor environment where all reasonable steps are taken to reduce the risk of accidental injury. Appropriate safety equipment is used according to the age and needs of the children attending, including socket covers and a safety gate. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, they know where to go to stay safe in the event of an emergency because the childminder regularly practices the evacuation procedures with them. The garden has been prepared for children's play, although the ivy covering the garden wall is yet to be removed to promote children's well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's appropriate understanding of child protection procedures, in line with the local recommendations, ensures that children are protected from harm or neglect. She fully understands her role in protecting children in her care in order to safeguard their welfare.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, well settled and have good relationships with the childminder who is sensitive and caring towards them. The childminder uses her knowledge of child development when planning an interesting range of activities, taking account of children's ages and interests, to encourage children's progress in all areas. Recently introduced assessments of their learning and development help promote the best outcomes for the children and help the childminder plan for the next steps in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder involves herself in the children's play, chatting freely with the toddlers, asking questions, offering opportunities for them to make decisions and helping to develop their communication skills. Children are given regular opportunities to socialise with their peers through regular attendance at local toddler groups, the playbus and the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well supported because the developing partnership between the childminder and parents is working well to ensure that children are secure and that their individual needs are met. The childminder keeps detailed records about children, which she refers to regularly and keeps parents informed about issues relating to their child through regular discussion and use of a daily diary. This means that children benefit from consistent care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to play comfortably in each other's company, learning to take one another's needs into account as they are helped to begin to share, take turns and be kind to one another. The childminder develops practices to suit the developmental stage of children attending, she offers good support and constant praise to promote positive behaviour and build their self-esteem and enjoyment. Children are beginning to learn to be responsible for their own actions as they put toys away after their use.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routine, as discussed with their parents. The childminder helps them to learn about the society in which they live through her own positive attitudes and through the introduction of interesting themes, such as Diwali, for which children make lamps and the Italian Regatta Storica, for which they paint pictures of boats. Currently there are no children with special needs being cared for, but the childminder has previous experience of work in this area and understands the importance of liaison with parents and other professionals in order to support a child's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder offers a well considered and organised service. Her good practices are underpinned by a comprehensive range of policies and procedures, which are shared with parents to ensure they understand how the service operates. She shows commitment towards her personal development and improves her knowledge by attending relevant courses. This

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 knowledge is used well to provide children with a wide range of learning experiences. She is yet, however, to complete a recognised first aid training course, although she is due to start one in the next few weeks.

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Organisation

The environment is effectively organised to ensure that children feel at home and are secure in the setting. Documentation, which contributes to their health, well-being and safety, is in place and is diligently maintained. The childminder makes good use of time and has effective organisational skills which she uses to promote best care for children of all ages. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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): • make poisonous plants inaccessible to children.

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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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