Williams Rosemary

Inspection report for early years provision

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201725 Unique Reference Number 14 September 2006 Inspection date Anne Felicity Taylor 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 1993. She lives with her husband and adult son in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. The whole ground floor and one bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

When working alone the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. When working with an assistant the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of eight children under eight years old, including two children under one year old. She is currently minding six children under five years old, mostly on a part-time basis and six school aged children for before and after school care. The family has no pets.

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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 develop an understanding of personal hygiene as they wash their hands after playing in the garden and before snack. The childminder is an effective role model, washing her hands regularly. Clear nappy changing routines are in place ensuring younger children stay clean and healthy. Disposal of nappies is appropriate. Children learn about healthy living and eating, for example, choosing healthy snacks, through general conversation with the childminder. Parents are informed about events during the day through appropriate recording, for example, accident and medication recording. However, accident records are not always completed in full. The childminder and her assistant have current first aid training and a fully-stocked first aid box is available and therefore children are cared for well if they have an accident or become ill. Permission for emergency medical treatment is not in place creating the risk that children may

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a varied diet. The childminder provides drinks and snacks and a hot lunch, for example, pasta with vegetable sauce, yoghurt and fruit. Bottle feeds and weaning food provided by parents are stored in the refrigerator. However, food storage temperatures are not monitored creating a risk around food safety. Babies follow their individual home routine as far as possible for bottle feeds, drinks and meals, offering continuity of care. Following regular consultation with parents individual dietary needs and preferences are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and well-being is encouraged as they enjoy varied opportunities for physical play, both indoors and outdoors. They walk to and from school and regularly visit local parks. Younger children are supported well as they become mobile, standing and crawling. They join in with a video session of music and movement, dancing and waddling like ducks. Children's skill are challenged and developed as they try to use space hoppers, with the close supervision of the childminder. Older children are offered activities to help them develop increasing finger and hand control, for example, arts and crafts.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies sleep safely and are checked regularly by the childminder. Their individual needs are met as they sleep peacefully in a cot upstairs, with individual clean bedding. Older children can have a nap on the settee if they require a rest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from lots of free play space, both indoors and outdoors, effectively encouraging their physical development. The child-friendly environment ensures that children settle down quickly and feel comfortable in the childminder's home. Children and parents are offered settling in visits. The welcome offered daily to parents and children ensures that children settle down quickly and happily to worthwhile activities. Children are offered a wide range of equipment, much of it stored at child height, effectively encouraging the children to make independent choices. A range of equipment in is place reflecting positive images of wider society including

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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 books and dolls. Good procedures are in place for checking and cleaning all equipment and toys regularly ensuring it is all suitable and safe for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are cared for in a safe environment and the childminder ensures that children are supervised well at all times. Children begin to understand about keeping themselves safe as there are rules in place for playing in the house or garden and when for they are out and about, for example, holding onto the buggy. Older children discuss road safety and develop responsibility as they are allowed additional freedom, for example, to walk a little ahead on the way home from school. Fire evacuation plans are in place and are discussed with older children and practised, ensuring the children are familiar with emergency procedures. Fire safety equipment is well-maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from abuse or neglect. The childminder has a professional understanding of her duty to report any concerns. She has a good awareness of the signs to look for and the procedure to follow. Child protection issues are discussed with parents when initial visits take place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and therefore children are provided with a wide variety of activities and play which contribute to their skills and abilities. The children benefit from the strong open relationships built up between the childminder and the parents as information is constantly exchanged, ensuring individual needs are met very well. The daily routine is adapted effectively for the age of the children being cared for and toddlers and school age children enjoy playing together, learning to be aware of others and also spend time doing activities specific to their own age, for example, completing a complex model making activity, creating a play house with miniature furniture and figures. Children receive lots of one to one attention from the childminder and there is much fun and laughter. Children are confident and secure in the friendly environment, displaying great warmth and affection towards the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder. They chat as the childminder supports and encourages imaginative play, putting the dolls in buggies and 'going for a walk'. Children increase skills as they dance to a music and movement tape.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children are encouraged effectively as they begin to crawl and to stand and develop their independence feeding themselves. They often choose their own activities and are supported by the childminder as they develop their play, for example, as they 'make tea'. Their self-esteem is effectively developed as they are praised for achievements and they take pride in their paintings and pictures displayed in the play room.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy lots of outdoor play and fresh air as they visit local parks, have a picnic and walk to and from school. Their language skills are developed well as they discuss what they are having for lunch and what activities they will be doing later in the day. Younger children look forward to collecting friends from school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals and the childminder strives to meet all their individual needs through communication with parents and keen observation. They develop positive attitudes to others following the strong example set by the childminder. They begin to develop an understanding of the wider community as they discuss and acknowledge festivals and see positive images reflected in toys, books and equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have a strong sense of belonging as they enjoy their relationship with the childminder and other children. As their needs are met regarding meals and sleep children feel comfortable and valued. The childminder has experience of how to include and appropriately care for children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities. Older children develop an awareness of the needs of others and are encouraged to share and to be considerate and helpful. The consistent boundaries which the childminder has in place ensures that the children begin to understand right from wrong. They respond positively as she reinforces positive behaviour, for example, sharing toys and taking turns. Children respond positively to the praise offered and their self-esteem is enhanced.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Children and parents benefit from the strong, open relationship with the childminder, actively promoting the involvement of parents in all aspects of their child's care and learning. A complaints record and procedure are not in place, therefore parents may not be aware of any complaints made. Parents appreciate the reliable and flexible service offered and the daily exchange of information.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The organisation of the childminding service and the childminder's home encourages children to develop well and have lots of fun and affection when in the care of the childminder. She is an experienced child carer and continues to take up relevant training opportunities including behaviour management and first aid. She offers a wide variety of appropriate and interesting activities to the children she cares for. Children feel secure and are happy in her care.

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Organisation

The children's welfare and safety is paramount and the childminder ensures that correct ratios are always maintained. Clear and accurate registers are kept. The childminder understands her duty to inform the registration authority of any major changes and events.

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Organisation

Effective procedures and policies generally support the childminder in working very successfully in partnership with parents. The childminder's registration certificate must be displayed to ensure parents are fully aware of the conditions of registration. The children thrive in the caring and stimulating environment. Overall children's needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure a signed record of existing injuries is maintained and that permission for medical treatment is in place. She was also asked to extend the range of toys and resources, which reflect positive images of diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Good progress has been made in some areas and children now have access to a wide variety of resources to reflect positively on all areas of equal opportunities and procedures to record existing injuries are in place and well-maintained. Permission for emergency medical treatment is still not in place and this has been carried forward as a recommendation at this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

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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): • ensure accident records are completed in full including the parent's signature • ensure permission for emergency medical treatment is in place for each child • monitor food storage temperatures • ensure a procedure to record complaints is in place • ensure the registration certificate is displayed when actively childminding.

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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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