Healey Sarah

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299063 Inspection date 16 June 2005 Inspector Christine Lynn Williams

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and five in Redditch, Worcestershire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding as well as a bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and the family have a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five and three over five. They all attend part-time time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parents and toddler group. She is a member of the National

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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 Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a warm and homely environment where hygiene is given a high priority and their personal care needs are met very well. Very high levels of cleanliness are maintained throughout the home and young children are gently encouraged to wash their hands before food and after outside play. They are sensitively supported during nappy changing, with good hygiene still maintained while they kick and move on the changing mat. Children are kept comfortable and well cared for if they fall ill while in the childminder's care. They readily turn to her for comfort, support and cuddles. Minor accidents are dealt with and recorded effectively. Children develop positive attitudes to exercising their bodies through fun activities such as climbing inside a tent or using a small indoor slide. They play on large apparatus at the near-by public playground and make occasional trips to a soft play

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Helping children to be healthy

centre. Babies and toddlers are given plenty of space to move, roll, stretch and explore the things around them, and they experience and achieve pleasure and control as they learn to throw a ball, play with shape sorters and use simple musical instruments. Children's needs during rest and sleep times are carefully considered, with comforters and special toys kept close by so that children always feel emotionally secure. Children enjoy sitting together at meal times for packed lunches and nourishing snacks of fruit, biscuits and yogurts. Babies and toddlers are helped to feed themselves with appropriate cutlery and all children are encouraged to drink frequently throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move freely and safely around spacious rooms where they can sit or lay comfortably to play. They enjoy using a wide variety of age-appropriate toys and resources, which are attractively arranged in toy boxes and a colourfully decorated playroom. Children play safely due to the childminder's close supervision and her keen awareness of how to minimise possible safety risks. Careful explanation helps them to become aware of how to keep themselves safe such as not running inside the house, and the childminder sensitively responds to toddlers attempts to climb on furniture. Children become aware of road safety rules during outings to the local park. They hold hands and walk sensibly along the pavement, look, listen and make sure there is no traffic before they cross. They have been made aware of the importance of leaving the home quickly in an emergency, however have not practiced the fire

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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 evacuation routine. Children are well protected because the childminder understands child protection procedures and how to implement these when necessary. Parents have received a copy of her written procedure so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns about their children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive happy, eager and settle quickly. They feel secure due to good settling-in procedures that ensure younger children's favourite toys are put out ready for them, while older children arriving from school, take off their shoes and treat the childminder's home like it is their own. Daily routines allow plenty of time for young children to be held, cuddled and played with. They learn to imitate sounds and words through playful interactions with the childminder, who stimulates their language skills through talking to them and introducing new words. The childminder knows and understands children's individual needs and preferences over such things as sleep routines, favourite toys and comforters. As a result children develop close relationships and a sense of trust. Children play happily together and with a wealth of stimulating resources that help them learn and progress, such as playing with a variety of plastic boxes they have

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pulled out from a cupboard, or using their imagination to act out familiar situations through pretend play and dressing up. Train tracks, musical instruments and sound toys are placed within easy reach for toddlers, however opportunities for them to explore using natural materials and of all their senses are less well developed. Young children gain confidence and want to learn new things, because of the close support they receive. They want to learn to climb and slide on large outdoor apparatus because they know the childminder is always close by to help. They learn to develop their pretend play because she joins-in, uses different voices and suggests what they might do next. They enjoy looking at books because she involves them in the story, asks them what they see in the pictures and listens to what they say. This lets them know that they are important and valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed and enjoy a family atmosphere where the childminder values and respects their individuality and family background. They develop confidence and independence as they make choices and decisions about what to play with and benefit from being able to join-in with all activities. Suitable arrangements are made to ensure all children are included and the childminder understands that some children may have special needs and has thought carefully about how she might care for them.

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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 A sensitive and consistent approach ensures children know what is expected of them, while praise and constant support gives them confidence to try new things and helps them develop good self-esteem. Toddlers are encouraged to play together, take turns and share, while the childminder talks and negotiates with older children, acknowledging their needs and helping them to understand the needs of others. A close and friendly relationship with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being and helps them understand the childminder's aims and practices. Parents receive written information about how she approaches specific issues such as equality of opportunity and behaviour, and daily discussions help them contribute to children's care. All required information about children is obtained relating to health

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and care, however the childminder does not actively seek early information on children's interests and has not developed methods for encouraging parents to share fully in what their children have been doing.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisation and commitment to providing a warm, caring and stimulating environment. She organises her home and practice to ensure children are always well cared for. They have plenty of room to play and rest. She provides a homely atmosphere, where a wide range of toys and equipment and a playroom provides them with a variety of stimulating experiences. The childminder has developed a range of carefully considered policies to share with parents. All required documentation which contributes to children's heath, safety and well-being is in place, efficiently organised and kept-up-to-date. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children in her care well.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • practice the emergency evacuation drill with children to ensure they are familiar with the routine; • further enhance the learning and achieving of younger children by developing the use of sensory activities and natural materials to help stimulate their curiosity and explore the world around them; • develop methods of actively seeking early information about children's likes and interests and of sharing with parents what their children do.

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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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