The Shires at Oakham

Inspection report for early years provision

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142635 Unique Reference Number 04 August 2006 Inspection date Brenda Joan Flewitt 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 satisfactory. 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 1995. She lives with her partner and three sons, aged 15, 12, and four years. The family live in Yeovil, Somerset. Minded children have access to the whole house, which consists of a sitting room, dining room and kitchen. Toilet and sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently caring for three children under the age of five years on a part time basis. The childminder collects from local pre-schools and schools. The family have two pet cats to which the children have supervised access.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and an informal childminding network within Yeovil.

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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's healthy lifestyle is well promoted. They are cared for in a clean and tidy family home where they develop independence in good practices for their own personal hygiene. For example, they routinely wash their hands before handling food and after using the toilet, as reminded by the childminder. Children are protected from the spread of infection through the childminder's procedures such as providing hygienic resources for hand washing and nappy changing. There is a clear sickness policy which informs parents that children should not attend if they have an infectious illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered drinks on a regular basis and can help themselves when they are thirsty as the childminder makes sure that their individual containers are easily accessible. Children make choices from food provided by both parents and the childminder. The childminder encourages children to try new foods that include fruit and vegetables, and talks about how different foods help keep their bodies healthy, as they look at books.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are involved in a good variety of activities that promote physical development. These include daily fresh air as they walk to and from pre-school and school, and during garden play where they ride vehicles and play games. Regular visits to the play park and indoor soft play venues enable children to practise skills in using large equipment like slides, climbing frames and swings. Children's medication and accidents are well managed within the home. There is a well stocked first aid box which is easily accessible, and records are completed accurately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in safe and secure, well maintained premises where most hazards and risks are identified and minimised. The childminder has put measures in place to help prevent accidents such as socket covers, the safe storage of hazardous substances, and safety gates to prevent access to stairs. She keeps the doors locked, which means that children are protected from uninvited visitors and cannot leave the building unsupervised. The childminder is in the process of improving children's safety in the garden through the installation of a new wall and high gate with a bolt. The childminder organises her home appropriately so that children move around in safety, and she encourages them to tidy away toys when the activity is finished, therefore the floor is not cluttered. Children play with toys and equipment which is generally kept in good condition, however some outdoor equipment poses a risk, due to rust and flaky

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has thought through appropriate evacuation procedures which includes two exits and the names and numbers of people to contact to help in an emergency. However, the children do not know what is expected as they are not all involved in practising the procedures. Therefore, their safety is not fully promoted in a real situation.

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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 Children are protected on outings through the childminder's routine procedures which includes making sure that she has a phone and contact numbers readily available. However, she does not include first aid equipment in the resources she takes. Children are made aware of their surroundings and involved in looking for traffic before they cross roads. The childminder's satisfactory understanding of child protection issues and the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures contributes towards the children's safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and secure. They make good relationships with the childminder's family and enjoy the time they spend together. For example, a four-year-old likes to join in with games and activities with the childminder's son of a similar age. Children develop confidence in making some of their needs and preferences known such as when they are thirsty, or where they would like to eat lunch. Children develop independence in practical skills like using the toilet and hand washing facilities, and managing their own clothing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered a variety of activities that promote learning. These include books, puzzles, games, construction, sand, role play, small world toys, art and craft and cooking. For instance, children work effectively together to complete a range of puzzles, and use their imagination well to create a game with dinosaurs and play people. They choose from a suitable range of play provision most of which is easily accessible to them, as it is well organised and stored on low shelving. They enjoy positive interaction from the childminder which helps them learn about numbers and the world around them. For example, they play a game of inflatable darts and add their scores with the help of the childminder, who helps them count using fingers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's days include a good range of visits outside the home where they explore their local environment, meet other people and use a wider range of equipment. Children regularly visit toddler groups and other childminders, where they get to know and trust other adults and play with different children. They enjoy trips to the park and take a picnic, or help the childminder with shopping for items needed. This helps children develop a positive attitude to the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected as individuals. The childminder gets to know each child's needs and preferences through the support she gives in their activities and by on-going communication with parents. Children start to become aware of people's differences through discussion and by

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Helping children make a positive contribution

using a selection of resources that reflect positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They know what is expected through the clear house rules which include respect for each other and equipment. The childminder encourages children to display good manners and offers praise and encouragement for effort and achievement which helps build their self-esteem.

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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 Children benefit from the childminder's appropriate relationship with parents. She has written information about the setting for parents to see on application, which includes policies and procedures. However, this is not given to them for reference. There are daily opportunities to exchange information verbally which contributes towards meeting individual needs and making sure any particular requirements are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises the premises, resources and structure of the day so that children can be active in a safe environment, select toys for themselves and enjoy visits outside the home. The childminder's regular contact with other childminders means that children gain confidence with other familiar adults and children. Therefore, in the event of the childminder's holiday or sickness, children settle more easily with alternative childminder they already know. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

All the required documentation and records are in place, well organised and up-to-date and completed accurately. Most policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the safety, care and learning of the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that written permission from parents was requested for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder requests written parental consent to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency. This contributes towards the children's health.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 satisfactory. 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 sure that all outside play equipment is in good condition • improve children's safety in the event of leaving the home in an emergency, by involving them in practising the evacuation procedure • make sure that first aid resources are readily available when on outings.

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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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