Betts Susan Elaine

Inspection report for early years provision

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209445 Unique Reference Number 07 June 2006 Inspection date Shirley Amanda Wilkes 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 2000. She lives with her husband and their one child age 10 years. They live in a house on the edge of the town of Stone. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a secure garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a pet dog, and pet guinea pigs all of which are kept outdoors.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children and currently cares for four children on a part-time basis. 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 good. Procedures that promote good hygiene are in place this helps to ensure that children's health is protected and the risks of cross infection are minimised. Older children are helped to understand the importance of good health and how to promote it through well established routines such as encouraging them to wash their hands before meals, after toileting and after playing outdoors. Effective procedures for sick children help ensure that the best interests of all children are met if they are unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating and children are able to choose from a range of healthy snacks and drinks, for example, fruit and low sugar drinks. Children's individual dietary needs are met effectively, these are discussed in detail with parents, and specific dietary needs are recorded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical skills are developing well, they enjoy outdoor play as part of their routine, for example, using wheeled toys, tunnel in the garden and daily walks. Visits to the local park and carer and toddler group enable the children to take part in more physical play. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. This contributes to their good health and physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home where risks have been identified and minimised. They are able to move around safely, freely and independently within the home. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, for example, fire drills are practised with the children. There are good procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children, for example, main doors are kept secure and passwords used if children are to be collected by persons unknown to the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's independence is encouraged as they are able to self-select from a good wide range of toys which are clean and safe. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder having all the required procedures and documents in place. Children are well protected because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and is able to put appropriate procedures into place where necessary.

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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 confident and well-settled in the childminder's home. They are able to initiate their own activities inside and outside of the home that promote all areas of their development. Children benefit from being able to self-select from the good wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources promoting their confidence and independence. Their self-esteem is being built upon through the childminder offering lots of encouragement and support when needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are able to access a range of outdoor play equipment which is helping to develop their physical skills, for example, wheeled toys. Large play equipment is used when visiting the local park. All children spend their time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a range of activities which contribute to their creativity, for example, the making of barges using cress seeds to decorate. Children benefit from regular visits outside of the home. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills as they play together and meet and socialise with other children at toddler groups. Children are made aware of the local community, for example, through visits to the local library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well. The childminder takes time to find out about specific needs through the use of contracts and the recording of individual daily routines. Children's welfare is promoted by a regular exchange of information between parents and childminder, for example, through the use of daily journals and daily discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and play together, learning to share and take turns and to show care for others. This is due to the childminder using praise and encouragement throughout their daily routine to encourage positive behaviour. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are able to make decisions and initiate their own play which enhances their time spent with the childminder. Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have special needs the childminder is able to provide care which includes them in the life of the setting through discussing their needs with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others is increased by them being able to access a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. The children and the childminder play together using, for example, books and small world figures that show positive images of race and gender. However, resources that promote positive images of disability are limited.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s records and parental contracts are stored confidentially. All policies and procedures are in place. The childminder has a current first aid certificate. The register is completed daily and accurately maintained. All documentation is clear and shared with parents to keep them

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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 well informed about the service and their child's activities. The childminder has appropriate qualifications and experience to enable her to childmind. She is enthusiastic about developing her childcare skills and knowledge to enable her to further improve the quality of care that she currently offers.

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Organisation

Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care where they initiate and extend their own play and learning, they feel at home and at ease within the well-organised environment. The effective organisation of space and time ensures children’s play opportunities are maximised and their individual needs are consistently met. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder obtain and keep written permission from parents before administering medication to children. Permission is now sought and recorded with parents signature for the childminder to administer medication.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • develop the resources available to promote positive images of disability.

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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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