Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for early years provision

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208533 Unique Reference Number 30 August 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 1993. She lives with her husband and two older children, in Telford. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years, and one child over five years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have no pets.

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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. Children's health is promoted well as the childminder has good procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection, such as ensuring children wash their hands before eating. Good nappy changing procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has policies on promoting children's good health and good hygiene procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of food nutrition. The children are encouraged to learn about living healthily as they have food tasting sessions and plant and grow their own pumpkins and courgettes. They are offered healthy snacks such as fruit, rice cakes and bread sticks. Younger children are offered healthy finger foods to try. They are offered regular drinks of water, hi juice or milk so that they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of activities which contribute to their good health. There are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example a slide, trikes and different sized balls. Children take part in a wide range of activities, such as play dough, threading and construction sets to help develop their fine control skills. Regular walks to the park, playing fields and to feed the ducks improve children's physical 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 plenty of space for them to play in. The displaying of children's pictures, photographs, posters and art work makes the well set out play room more welcoming. In order to help keep children safe the childminder checks the rooms prior to the children arriving. Safety precautions such as stair gates and socket covers are in place. However the fluorescent lights in the play room are not fitted with diffusers. Consequently children's safety is 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 their choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe as they discuss "stranger danger", road safety and the dangers of water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and has attended a workshop on child protection matters. She has a leaflet available regarding what to do if there is a child protection concern, so children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and settled in the childminder's care. Close and caring relationships between the childminder and the children have formed, which increases their sense of trust

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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 and helps them develop a strong sense of self. The childminder gives the children space to try and do things for themselves, such as trying to reach for a box of toys and supports them where needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engage in a very wide range of activities which promote their overall development very well, such as imaginary play, craft activities and construction sets. The childminder ensures that children have good opportunities to develop social skills by taking them to toddler groups to meet other children. They develop an awareness of the world around them as they plant and grow courgettes and pumpkins and look at and record the weather.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources are all stored at child height, in containers and are easily accessible for the children in the well organised play room. They choose and make decisions about their play, encouraging them to be independent learners. The childminder has the 'Birth to three matters' framework and adapts activities to promote younger children’s learning, such as playing games so they get to know each other's names. The childminder promotes younger children's speech by encouraging them to repeat words.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others is extended as the childminder has an excellent range of activities and resources to positively reflect diversity. Children look at different festivals and take part in activities linked in with the festivals such as painting Rangoli patterns and making Divali cards. Although there are no children currently attending with learning difficulties or disabilities the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of ensuring inclusion for all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an extremely calm and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. As a result children behave very well and understand what is expected of them, so they know they have to take turns with the toys. Good behaviour is encouraged as the childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement to the children for their efforts and uses stickers as rewards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A superb partnership between the childminder and parents ensures all work together in numerous ways to meet each child's needs. Children are valued, listened to and respected as individuals. Parents receive written comments about their child's day, so ensuring consistency of care. A book containing photographs showing what activities the children take part in keep parents well informed about their child's day and future activities and outings. 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 very good level of support. The childminder is keen to enhance her practice and is prepared to attend training and workshops and has obtained a BTEC qualification in early years and completed an

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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 assessors award. 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 works well to promote children's health, enjoyment and achievement. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that children are cared for consistently. 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 records available for inspection. At the time of this inspection all records were available for inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 that the play room lights are made safe.

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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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