Edwards Carolyne Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

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204547 Unique Reference Number 15 November 2006 Inspection date Saida Cummings 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, one adult child and one child aged 15 years in a detached house situated in Droitwich, Worcestershire. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, pre-schools and schools within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to all of the property. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. Children are also taken on local visits and outings including regular attendance at local carer and toddler groups. Children are walked and transported to and from local daycare settings and schools. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under eight years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is an active member of the local childminding support group. She is also a member

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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 of the local childminding network and is currently working towards the NCMA Quality Assurance scheme. The childminder holds an NNEB qualification and is currently working towards the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 3 in childcare

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are starting to develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles as they participate in regular outdoor play activities, enjoy going on local walks and visiting various parks. They benefit from visiting various places of interest, such as the nearby countryside centre where they enjoy following the nature trail and getting muddy. Children also have the opportunity to take part in regular indoor physical activities and use the large play areas for various indoor games and participate in music and movement sessions. Babies’ and young children’s needs are met as the childminder knows the children well and is aware of their individual health needs. For example, she is aware of when they start to show signs of tiredness and adjusts the timetable accordingly to allow for them to take an early nap. Babies have many opportunities for creative physical experiences and development, such as bouncing, rolling, crawling and starting to walk. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder ensures appropriate equipment and space is made available for children to be able to safely build on these skills and is very aware of each child’s specific abilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to clean and well-maintained areas. Their health is very well promoted as the childminder encourages them to begin to take responsibility for meeting their own health needs and to develop their independence and self-care skills. They are developing an understanding of good personal hygiene which includes regular hand washing, especially after outdoor play, toileting and before meals. The risk of infection is reduced as the childminder follows the local health authority guidelines and ensures all parents and carers are made aware that children are not cared for if they have an infectious illness. Although there are appropriate procedures for dealing with any accidents and incidents, the system for recording these needs improvement. There are procedures for administering medication if requested. However, the written records do not clearly identify parents’ and carers’ written consents. Consequently, this

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Helping children to be healthy

potentially compromises children’s health and safety.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and their special dietary needs are met as the childminder ensures she fully discusses these with the parents and carers. She is very flexible and is able to provide food and drink as required, or parents and carers are able to provide their own food if they wish. Children’s independence is fostered as they are encouraged to feed themselves. Young children use appropriate spoons to eat food which is prepared to the appropriate texture depending on their stages of development and abilities. The childminder works closely with parents and carers to ensure babies’ specific food and drink needs are met. For example, she discusses the types of food babies can start eating once they start weaning. Children have access to suitable drinks at all times and the childminder encourages them to drink plenty of fluids especially after exercising and during hot weather. Younger children are constantly

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are constantly supervised and taught safety as part of their everyday activities. This includes how to keep themselves safe through awareness of car safety when being transported, road safety when out walking and safety around water when they visit the local park to feed the ducks. They are kept safe during outings and when being transported as the childminder has devised emergency plans which include making sure children’s emergency details are always available. Parents' and carers’ written consents are obtained for routine outings and transporting children. Children take part in regular emergency evacuation practices to ensure they are fully aware of the procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a welcoming, safe and secure environment. The areas used by children are made safe by ensuring age-appropriate safety items are in place, such as use of safety gates and electrical socket covers. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children according to the ages of the children currently cared for. Children have a choice of suitable and safe play equipment and resources. All equipment is regularly checked for safety and cleaned including sterilisation of all the baby toys. Children are made aware of safety when using play equipment and resources. For example, the older children learn that items which contain small pieces, such as Lego, are a hazard for the younger children. Therefore, this type of equipment is only used in areas which are not used by the babies and younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as there are good collection procedures in place which are shared with all the parents and carers. The childminder is very aware of the need to ensure children are kept safe and makes sure parents and carers are also made aware of the procedures she follows through appropriate discussions and through use of the written health and safety policy. She carries out regular risk assessments and constantly reviews these depending on the ages and abilities of the children cared for. Children are kept safe from harm as the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection. She has completed appropriate child protection training and has made herself familiar with the latest local Safeguarding Children Board guidance. She is aware of the appropriate procedures to follow should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have access to an excellent range of activities which are adapted depending on their ages and stages of development. They are very comfortable with the childminder and have built a trusting relationship with her. The childminder consistently and positively interacts with the children to encourage their involvement and learning, for instance they count different objects and are starting to use mathematical language when identifying large, small, tall and short items. Children are eager to learn and develop new skills. The childminder constantly talks and plays with each individual child and encourages interaction between all ages. As a result, children play well together and are developing good socialising skills. Children's activities are well planned with different types of play timetabled into each session. The childminder is very flexible and adapts the activities according to children's individual needs and how they are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

feeling when they attend. Children are able to build on their skills, knowledge and understanding

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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 as the childminder uses observations to adapt the weekly planning of activities which either assists individual children with developing certain skills or challenges them. Children independently choose activities from a selection of appropriate play equipment and resources. They are able to self-select from a wide variety of interesting and stimulating toys and resources. Young children are provided with various stimulating toys and equipment which are used to develop their awareness of different materials and textures. They also enjoy using everyday items which are carefully selected and placed in the ‘treasure box’. For example, they are able to see their faces in the oval stainless steel dish and feel the textures of the nail brush.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled within the environment. Babies’ and young children’s needs are very well catered for as the childminder uses the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to plan specific activities for this age group which are adapted accordingly to ensure they are sufficiently challenged and meet their individual abilities. An example of this is when she observes young children showing curiosity when they start to use some of the older children's toys, such as turning over toy cars and sliding them along the carpet. She then makes more of this type of play equipment available to give them more of this type of opportunity and experience. Babies and young children are very well stimulated as the childminder interacts with them at all times and encourages them to look at and use different items. For example, they lie underneath the baby gym and the childminder encourages them to look at themselves in the hanging mobile

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

mirror and to squeeze one of the other mobiles which produces music.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s language and listening skills are encouraged through various planned and spontaneous activities including reading stories, holding discussions, listening to music and copying sounds. They enthusiastically join in with the varied imaginary play scenarios which also assist them with developing their language. For example, during outings they enjoy acting out the ‘Three Billy Goat Gruff’ story when they are walking over bridges as each child takes it in turn to ‘trip, trap’ over the bridge. Children have many opportunities to go on local visits and outings where they enjoy taking part in various fun and educational activities, such as visiting a local farm to pick out a pumpkin in the field. Children are able to use their imagination and be creative as they are able to use a variety of art and craft materials, such as straws, feathers, corrugated cardboard and sandpaper, to instigate their own creative sessions and produce interesting and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

colourful pictures and collages. School-aged children are given opportunities to make free choices about the types of activities they want to take part in. The childminder takes time to find out what interests each child and builds on this information to plan and provide a variety of activities and opportunities to ensure their preferences are met. They are given time to relax and unwind when they first arrive back from school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled in on a gradual basis which is fully planned with the parents and carers to ensure enough time is allowed. This varies depending on the individual child's needs and how quickly they settle into their new environment. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder initially holds full discussions with parents and carers to ensure she is able to meet all requirements. Babies’ and younger children’s routines are met as the childminder ensures these are adhered to whenever possible. This includes sleep or nap times and any specific

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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 feeding arrangements. Further discussions are held on a daily basis. Parents and carers are kept well informed of their children’s activities, any issues and the domestic routines as they are supplied with a written diary detailing how their children spend their day. The childminder has a good relationship with parents and carers and is very aware of involving them with the care of their children. This is an area she is currently developing and has started to put strategies in place to give parents and carers more opportunities to be involved. For example, she shares the observations and planning, which are linked to the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the ‘Foundation Stage’ curriculum, and discusses activities to assist children with their development and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are treated equally and have equal access to resources and activities. They are valued and respected and the childminder is committed to ensuring all children feel secure and are included. Children have access to a range of resources and activities to promote their awareness of diversity. This is also extended during some of the planned activities, such as making puppet Chinese dragons for the ‘Chinese New Year’ and making brightly coloured clay lamps for ‘Diwali’.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given lots of individual attention and thoroughly enjoy good interaction with the childminder which enables their individual needs to be met. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of being able to meet the needs for any children with learning difficulties or disabilities. She has experience of caring for children with disabilities and learning difficulties and works closely with parents, carers and outside agencies. Children respond well to the childminder's approach to any behavioural issues. She creates an environment that encourages children to behave well. Their positive behaviour is encouraged, praised and they are taught to be polite, to share, take turns and to give consideration to each other. The childminder shares and agrees the behaviour management policy with all the parents and carers to ensure consistency is practised between the home and the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are being extended and challenged in a safe and stimulating environment that develops their emotional, intellectual, physical and social skills. There are opportunities for children to be valued, cuddled, comforted and their individual needs and personalities are recognised and provided for. Children have many opportunities for different experiences which include regular attendances at local carer and toddler groups. This enables them to meet and interact with different children of their own age group and to take part in large group activities. Children's individual needs are very well met as the childminder has effective verbal and written systems in place which also keep parents and carers well informed about what their children do, all the procedures and how the childminding is organised. The childminder has developed relevant information, including various appropriate written policies and procedures, which she shares

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Organisation

with the parents and carers to ensure they are made fully aware of all the childminding arrangements. She has developed a good system for most of the required documentation. However consideration is not always given to confidentiality when recording children’s accidents and incidents. Consequently, this potentially compromised children’s well-being.

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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 Children are cared for in a warm, friendly and organised environment as the childminder plans the childminding sessions to meet their individual needs and their preferences. They enjoy good interaction with the childminder as she organises her time during sessions to be able to adapt to their particular needs and routines. Children are comfortable in the well-resourced and organised surroundings which are made accessible and welcoming to them. They have access to all of the property including use of a large accessible garden for regular outdoor play activities.

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Organisation

The childminder is very experienced, committed to further training and keeping herself updated about childcare practice. She is an active member of the local childminding group and regularly attends various relevant training courses and events. Children benefit from the childminder’s development as any new procedures or good practice is incorporated into the care provided. The childminder is also a member of the local childminding network, volunteers as a support worker for newly registered childminders and is currently working towards the National Childminding Association (NCMA) quality assurance scheme. She has clear aims and is committed to evolving and developing the provision. Consequently, this contributes to children’s good health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to take an active part in the sessions. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make sure that potential hazards in the kitchen are inaccessible to the children and to ensure that the attendance records are completed promptly.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now fitted child locks to all the low-level kitchen cupboards which contain any hazardous items. All cleaning products are now stored in high-level cupboards. As a result, this ensures children’s safety is not compromised.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder ensures accurate daily attendance records are kept which include children’s arrival and departure times. She uses a wipe chart to promptly record the exact timings as soon as children arrive and when they are collected. These details are then transferred to the NCMA register at the end of the day. This ensures children’s attendances are accurately and promptly recorded, and that the required adult to child ratio is met at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 01 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 and carers, 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 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): • develop the record keeping for administering medication to ensure these clearly identify parents' and carers' written consents • give consideration to confidentiality when recording children's accidents and incidents.

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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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