Mears Yvette

Inspection report for early years provision

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506644 Unique Reference Number 14 December 2006 Inspection date Kathryn Mary Harding 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 1987. She lives with her husband and three children in a village near Telford. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five, and two children over five years. The childminder can access local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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. The children are cared for in a warm clean setting where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene and personal care through the daily routines as they use individual hand towels and toothbrushes. The childminder will not accept an ill child and has good procedures in place if a child becomes ill, so preventing the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about which foods are good to eat as the childminder promotes healthy eating. She provides healthy and nutritious snacks such as fruit and takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s needs to meet their dietary requirements. Children are offered regular drinks such as water, diluted apple juice and milk so that they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages lots of physical exercise and ensures that the children get plenty of fresh air every day. The children go for walks to the fields and they can access a wide range of outdoor toys to help develop their large scale skills and indoors there is a wealth of activities such as art materials and play dough to help develop their small scale skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment which is warm and where there is sufficient space for the children to play in. Children's own pictures are displayed on cupboards making the rooms more welcoming. In order to help keep children safe the childminder visually checks the rooms prior to the children arriving. Safety precautions such as stair gates and socket covers are in place. However, the open shelves are not secured to the wall and are a potential hazard. The childminder has attended a health and safety workshop and has a health and safety policy in place. Fire drills are practised and recorded and a weekly check of all fire appliances such as smoke detectors is undertaken and recorded to help keep children safe. However, there is a large trampoline in the garden. Written parental consent is in place with regard to the use of the trampoline but the childminder has not contacted the insurance company to ensure she

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has adequate cover when children use the trampoline. Consequently children's safety could be compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a range of good quality toys and resources, which meet safety standards and are regularly checked. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Older children can play with toys with smaller pieces in the conservatory or at the table to ensure younger children are kept safe. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe as they talk about road safety, particularly when going to school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection matters and knows the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern, so children's welfare is safeguarded. She shares her child protection statement with parents.

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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 settled and interested in the available activities. The childminder supports the children very well in their play as she gets down to their level and chats with them as they play with the small world figures. Lots of praise and encouragement is given to the children, so promoting their confidence and self-esteem. The children choose what they want to play with, so encouraging their independence. As they play they spontaneously sing nursery rhymes. Older children show consideration for younger children as they go and get some toys for them to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engage in a wide range of activities which promote their overall development very well, such as craft activities, small world play and physical play. Their learning is extended as the childminder encourages the children to think by asking open-ended questions when counting the letters into the container. The childminder ensures that children have good opportunities to develop social skills by taking them to toddler groups to meet other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources are stored at child height in containers and are easily accessible for the children. The childminder has the 'Birth to three matters' framework and adapts activities to promote younger children’s learning such as ensuring all ages can take part in a painting activity and enabling all children to take part in a game with coloured dice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values and respects children as individuals. Children's awareness of others is extended as the childminder has a suitable range of activities and resources to positively reflect diversity. The childminder ensures that children are treated as individuals and meets their specific needs effectively, by liaising very closely with schools and parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. The childminder has clear strategies in place to deal with unwanted behaviour such as encouraging the children to share and distraction onto another activity. Their understanding of right and wrong is increased as they are given explanations why the behaviour is not acceptable. Lots of praise and encouragement is used with the children, so promoting their self-esteem and self-confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. The daily routine is flexibly responsive to the child's individual needs and takes account of parents' wishes. Parents provide the childminder with a routine which the childminder endeavours to follow. Parents are kept well informed about their child's day as they are given a verbal account of their day and the childminder records information regarding food intake and sleep in a daily diary. This ensures consistency of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a high regard for children's well-being and offers them a good level of support. The childminder is keen to enhance her practice and is prepared to attend

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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 training and workshops. The children are at home in the well-organised, child-friendly environment and are confident to initiate their own play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder has established procedures for sharing information with parents on a daily basis. She ensures that they understand and acknowledge her policies. She also makes them aware of the procedure to follow if they wish to raise any concerns. The certificate of registration is displayed so parents are aware of the conditions of registration. Confidentiality is maintained as all paperwork is stored securely.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make sure that all parents are fully aware of a complaints procedure. The childminder now has a complaints procedure which parents are aware of.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. 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 that the open shelving is made secure and that written insurance cover is in place with regard to the use of the trampoline.

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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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