Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 204757 Inspection date 23 May 2005 Inspector Anne Georgina Phillips

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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 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 1997. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 9 and 13 years old. They live in a house in a residential area on the Kidderminster side of Stourport on Severn. It lies within easy walking distance of the town centre, local schools, nurseries, parks and play areas. The whole of the ground floor and the rear enclosed garden are used for childminding. The first floor is not used for childminding. The kitchen is used by children to access the toilet, hand washing facilities and the garden with supervision. A vehicle is available to transport children.

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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 family have a pet cockatiel. The childminder is registered to care for up to 5 children under 8 years at any one time. She is currently minding 7 children each week. All attend on a part time basis. At the time of inspection she is permitted to care for up to 4 named children under 5 years on 2 days per week for a limited period. She belongs to the National Child Minding Association (NCMA) and a local child minding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute positively to their good health. There are good daily opportunities both in and out doors for children to be active and gain control of their bodies. They walk to local schools, shops and places of interest as well as manipulating play dough and responding to music. They move freely indoors and play with a slide, swing and wheeled toys in the garden. Younger children join in readily because the childminder has a good understanding of their developmental needs and provides activities that encourage them to acquire new skills. Children benefit from a clean, well kept and warm home. They are developing an understanding of good personal hygiene. They carefully wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and messy play. They readily join in activities to keep the house clean such as wiping the table before meal times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished, enjoying flexible, frequent snacks and meals that meet their individual dietary and needs and parents wishes well. They help themselves to juice or water throughout the day and have opportunities to try fruit and other foods at snack times contributing to a healthy diet.

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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 safe and secure environment. Space is well thought out so that children can move around freely accessing toys and resources. Children are well supervised and are developing a growing understanding of how to think and act safely especially when practising fire drills and when walking outdoors. Good attention to the reduction of risks helps to keep children safe and protected from harm. Children benefit from access to a good range of resources covering all areas of development. They make choices from a wide, well balanced and interesting selection available in low cupboards around the room. All equipment is clean, sturdy, and attractive. A high priority is given to the condition and safety of equipment and it's suitability for children's age and stage of development.

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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 There are well thought out procedures to protect children in case of emergency, for example the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are making very good progress. They are very happy, settled, secure, and confident. They relate well to each other and have a warm, friendly and responsive relationship with the childminder who takes time to find out what interests each child. She builds on this information to plan and provide a variety of activities and opportunities to promote children's progress very effectively. Children are interested and involved in the wide range of varied activities available. They respond to music and musical instruments enthusiastically. They make marks, explore books and play creatively and imaginatively, for example marching and setting out a picnic for the soft toys. The childminder consistently and positively interacts with the children to extend their learning and encourage their thinking such as talking about mixing colours and asking questions. Children also learn by participating in many day-to-day domestic

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

routines such as helping clean and then to set the table for lunch, tidying away toys and activities, handing out the pegs for the washing, and re potting the tomato plants. Children are developing independence. They are able to access resources for themselves, use their initiative and are starting to take responsibility for to putting things away but they not able to reach the taps and sink easily to manage their own hand washing independently and although they have access to healthy food choices the benefits of these are not discussed or promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a balanced range of activities and resources that promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, they learn about people with different experiences to themselves and explore their local surroundings and community on routine outings to shops, parks and wildlife areas. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They behave very well in response to warm, patient care and clear consistent handling and praise. They have warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and each other, showing concern, sharing and playing well together. Children are well settled, they confidently make choices about their play, personal care and accessing drinks. They have time to relax as well be active. Close relationships with parents and very effective verbal and written systems for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

gathering and sharing information about children's needs contribute positively to these being met and parents being well informed about what children do.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are comfortable in the very well resourced and organised environment which is accessible and welcoming to them. The available space is planned so that children can play safely and freely. They confidently initiate and choose their own activities. The childminder is knowledgeable and interested in children. She organises her time well so that she is able to play, talk and respond to children to meet their individual and additional needs developing their learning and understanding. She is well prepared with carefully thought out practices and procedures that contribute positively to keeping children safe and providing them with an interesting, warm and welcoming environment.

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Organisation

The attendance record is completed daily but children's arrival and departure times are not recorded promptly. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved children's access to reflections of diversity and people with disability by obtaining a good selection of books that are used regularly with children to develop their understanding of those with a variety of life experiences.

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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):

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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 • develop the use of everyday activities to expand children's independence and their understanding of a healthy lifestyle; • ensure that children's arrival and departure times are recorded promptly.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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