Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY293368 Inspection date 08 August 2005 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 2004. She lives with her husband and three school-age children in a semi-detached house and works with an assistant at various times throughout the week. Areas of the house used when providing a care service include the kitchen/dining room, the lounge, a playroom and downstairs cloakroom, bedrooms and first floor bathroom if required. There is an enclosed rear garden, which can be seen from the kitchen and dining room windows. There are opportunities for walks and visits to parks. The local toddler groups and toy library are attended during term times.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She presently cares for seven children, mostly on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where routines and procedures implemented by the childminder help them to develop a clear understanding of when and why they wash their hands. The appropriate methods implemented for nappy changing reduce the risk of cross contamination. As most procedures are in place to ensure that children are cared for appropriately in the event of an accident or illness, their welfare is promoted; however children's health is compromised because parents' consent for the childminder to act in an emergency has not been obtained. Children's good health is promoted through the provision of a healthy diet. The childminder uses her knowledge as a trained chef to ensure that children's dietary needs are effectively met within the varied range of meals planned. Children enjoy being involved in the preparation of their own lunch-time sandwiches and choose

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Helping children to be healthy

from a selection of nutritious fillings. They are encouraged to try new food and develop a healthy approach to eating. Children access the outdoor area to enable them to get plenty of fresh air, to take part in regular physical play and so develop a healthy lifestyle. They use the outdoor facilities to develop their skills in areas such as climbing, swinging, rocking and pouring, accessing large and small equipment confidently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The well organised, welcoming environment enables older children to move freely between the activity rooms and access toys and resources with ease to promote their independent learning. Children learn how to keep themselves safe from harm as they take part in activities in the front garden, supervised appropriately by the childminder. Their safety is generally well considered as most risks are identified and minimised, however the methods used to ensure that the stairs are inaccessible to younger children are not effective and therefore their safety is compromised in this area. Toys and resources are well-maintained, of good quality and meet safety standards. The range is suitable for the varying ages of children attending, providing appropriately for their play preferences and care needs. The childminder ensures that toys are stored safely, at a favourable level so that children are able to make

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

selections from them. The childminder's knowledge of the Area Child Protection Committee's child protection procedures are not sufficient to ensure that children in her care are well protected.

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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 take part in a broad range of activities, which they find interesting and enjoyable. They enthusiastically use chalks to trace around each other's bodies as they lie on the ground and create pictures to fill the paved area at the front of the house. Indoors the childminder encourages children to select from the various well-placed toys and resources and provides a good balance between free play and more structured activities, which contribute to their development. This means that children are always well occupied. The daily plan of activities is prominently displayed to provide opportunities to involve and inform parents and the older children who frequently refer to the plan.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play cooperatively together, they are settled, relate well to the childminder and one another, making good progress in their personal, social and emotional development. They enjoy playing in the outdoor environment with the older children helping and supporting the younger ones. The childminder involves herself in children's play and offers encouragement, allowing them to develop their own ideas. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of the differing needs of children, according to their age.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that she meets children's individual needs appropriately through discussion with the parents. This means that children benefit from consistent care and ensures that they are settled and secure. Children have a good understanding of the behaviour expected of them and behave well. They have clear boundaries that they understand and are involved in the negotiation of house rules, which help develop their awareness of self-discipline. The children respond appropriately to the childminder and are happy in her care. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met effectively as they follow their normal daily routine and are given time to become familiar and feel comfortable within the setting. They have access to the various toys and resources regardless of gender or ability, however, the range of resources, play opportunities and activities, which reflect diversity and develop their understanding of others are

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The children are relaxed within the effectively organised environment. This means that they are confident to develop their own play and learning. Good support from the

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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 childminder, by way of planned, inviting opportunities, enables children to develop in all areas and make good use of their time in the setting. The childminder has failed to ensure that the conditions of her registration are met and that changes relating to her childcare service have been reported to and agreed by the regulating body. Consequently children's welfare is not effectively promoted. Documentation to support the care service is stored confidentially but is not fully in place to protect children's well-being. The daily register does not record accurate and consistent times of attendance and children's record forms are incomplete. Overall the provision does not meet the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure that there are effective procedures in place for checking that staff are suitable to work with children and that the requirements and conditions of registration are met • ensure that any changes, which affect the registration, are notified to Ofsted • improve documentation; to include times of children's daily attendance and written information about each child being cared for. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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