Collins, Amanda

Inspection report for early years provision

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204982 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2007 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 1992 and occasionally works with an assistant. She lives with her partner, one adult child and one child aged eight years in a detached house situated close to Worcester city centre. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, pre-schools and schools within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The main areas used for childminding are situated on the ground floor, with sleeping and bathroom facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Children are also taken on local visits and outings. 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, six 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. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). Children are transported to and from local pre-schools and schools.

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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 are starting to develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles as they participate in regular outdoor play activities, using the wide range of outdoor facilities suitable for both the younger and older children. They have many opportunities to develop their physical skills, for instance using the large climbing frame, playing football and using the age-appropriate wheeled toys. Children have opportunities to take part in various outings, such as visiting the local country park and Lickey Hills where they enjoy playing outdoor games and joining in with group picnics. 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, they are given time to wake up when they

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Helping children to be healthy

rouse from naps and enjoy sitting on the childminder’s lap whilst slowly taking in their surroundings. Babies have many opportunities for creative physical experiences and development, such as bouncing, rolling, crawling and starting to walk. The 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’s health is generally well promoted. The childminder’s house is very clean and appropriate hand washing facilities are in place. Older children are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting and before meals. However younger children do not fully understand about the importance of hand washing as they are not consistently encouraged to clean their hands before eating. 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. There are appropriate procedures in place for dealing with any accidents and the administration of medication if requested.

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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. They are supplied with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks which also take into account their likes and dislikes. They have access to fresh fruit throughout the day. Children’s independence is fostered as they are encouraged to feed themselves. Young children’s food and drink needs are met as the childminder prepares their food to the appropriate texture depending on their stages of development and abilities. Children enjoy well-organised mealtimes which are also used as social times with all the children sitting to eat together. They 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 offered appropriate drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. 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 safety gates and electrical socket covers. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children according

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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 to the ages of the children currently cared for. She has incorporated several built-in safety features into the new premises to ensure children are cared for in very safe and secure premises. For example, the stair gates are fitted as part of the interior building and the premises are totally enclosed with access only through an electronic metal gate. Children have access to a large enclosed garden for outdoor play. Young children have access to a specific small enclosed hard-core outdoor play area which is accessible via the dining room doors. The childminder specifically planned for this area when the new house was built to give young children regular opportunities to play out in the fresh air and incorporate outdoor physical play into their daily routines. Children have a choice of suitable and safe play equipment and resources. All equipment

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

is regularly cleaned and checked for safety.

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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. Children are kept safe from harm as the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. 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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 and safety when playing indoors, such as not to run within the premises. Parents' and carers’ written consents are obtained for routine outings and transporting children. Children take part in regular emergency evacuation practises to ensure they are fully aware of the procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of activities which are adapted depending on their ages and stages of development. They 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 and are also able to make further choices when they enjoy wheeling the large storage boxes of various play equipment from the hall storage cupboard to the areas they use for play. Children’s learning is promoted through everyday activities and routines, such as counting the tangerine segments during snack time and recognising the different colours during crayoning activities. They have many opportunities for creative play as they are able to easily access various craft materials throughout the day. They enjoy creating interesting junk models using materials, such as fabric, cardboard and different types of paper.

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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 catered for as the childminder provides them with various stimulating play equipment and activities. The childminder has started to use the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to plan activities for this age group. 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

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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 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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very comfortable with the childminder and have built a trusting relationship with her. 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 language and listening skills are encouraged through various planned and spontaneous activities including reading stories, holding discussions, listening to music and copying sounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 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 feeding arrangements. Further discussions are held on a daily basis and the childminder makes time for keeping parents and carers well informed of their children’s activities, any issues and the domestic routines. 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.

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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 understands how to meet the needs of any children with specific needs and works closely with parents and carers to ensure these are met at all times. 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.

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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.

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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's individual needs are well met as the childminder has effective systems in place which also keep parents and carers well informed about what their children do, all the

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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 procedures and how the childminding is organised. The childminder has developed a good system for recording and storing all the required documentation.

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Organisation

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 use of all the ground floor living areas and also use the first floor under supervision to choose further play equipment and to sleep. They are able to move freely around the large open spaces which include the easily accessed garden for outside play. 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 a written procedure concerning safety of children during overnight care to include an emergency evacuation procedure is put in place. She also agreed to develop a registration system to accurately record children’s attendances.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has developed a written safety procedure for use during overnight care which includes an emergency evacuation. Children have the opportunity to regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure. As a result, children’s safety and well-being is assured.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has also developed a suitable registration system which clearly records children’s exact arrival and departure times. This ensures children’s attendances are accurately 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): • improve health and hygiene procedures by ensuring all children are routinely encouraged to wash their hands before eating.

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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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