Robson, Tracy Maria

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY301242 Inspection date 26 October 2005 Inspector Coral Hales

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 3 years and 15 months in Rugby, Warwickshire. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 1 child under 5 during the day and 1 child over 5 in the school holidays. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 begin to develop a good understanding about healthy practices through routine activities for example, hand washing. Children independently wash them after messy play, before lunch and after using the toilet and their understanding reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children have the opportunity to rest and sleep as they wish. Children really enjoy exercise and develop a positive approach to this through regular opportunities to develop new skills using the 'Sticky Kids' action tapes. They move around confidently, with control and in a variety of ways as they pretend to be insects. The children develop an awareness of a healthy lifestyle as they enjoy fresh air when out on walks to visit the shops or the park. Children are helped to enjoy food and understand why some foods are healthy and others are not. They are encouraged to eat a selection of fruit and vegetable and

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Helping children to be healthy

drinks are freely available. This learning is well promoted by the childminder who has a good understanding of food nutrition. Cooked meals are provided according to the dietary requirements of the children and wishes of the parents. The children help each other lay the table and then they sit together to have lunch, this promotes and develops their social skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children effectively learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder explains simple safety procedures to them, for example, why they must not run indoors. Children are further protected because the childminder has a good understanding of safety issues within the home and garden and has appropriate measures in place to minimise the risk of accidental injury. Children learn about simple road safety, including safe practices, when using the car as they go out to the pre-school or shops. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection issues. She has a good knowledge and understanding of the procedures and policies she has in place and these are in line with local Area Child Protection Guidance. Children use clean and well maintained toys and equipment and these are of good quality and appropriately stored. Children easily select from the resources as they are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

well organised to encourage independent choice, whilst maintaining the safety of the younger children.

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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 The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are involved and interested and play happily with the good range of resources and also learn by participating in many day-to-day domestic routines and activities. For example, they collect and return toys and help to lay the table for lunch. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem as they play together and make choices from the good selection of fun and stimulating toys. Children acquire new skills and knowledge, respond well to challenge and make positive relationships with each other. They participate in activities which contribute to their creativity, such as role play with the dolls and singing and dancing to music. Children enjoy art and craft activities and all took part in an activity to create a large Halloween banner to hang up. As the children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play the childminder listens to what the children say and she talks to them about what they are doing. This encourages children to think for themselves and promotes their communications skills. Consistent support further encourages the children to learn what they can do and when to ask for help. Children enjoy regular outings and this helps to broaden their range of experiences, for example visits to a variety of local pre-school groups and these visits also help to develop their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are valued and respected as individuals, and the childminder ensures they all have equal access to the appropriate range of activities and facilities offered. Children effectively develop an awareness of diversity as they play with the selection of puzzles, play figures and books that depict positive images of similarities and differences. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is well fostered. Children work harmoniously with others and begin to understand respect. They respond well to the calm and consistent approach used by the childminder to effectively manage children's behaviour. This promotes their understanding of what is right and wrong and enables them to feel secure and settled within the home. Children begin to negotiate with each other, share and take turns. Partnerships with parents and carers are good. These effective relationships mean

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Helping children make a positive contribution

that children are well settled with caring adults and are gaining self-assurance and confidence with others. Written agreements are in place and this ensures that all are clear with regards to their roles and responsibility. Effective systems allow the parents and the childminder to exchange information, thus helping to ensure continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is a qualified practitioner and she demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and uses this knowledge well to promote children's welfare. Children benefit from the well organised family home and

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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 garden that maximises play opportunities for them and play happily in all areas. They are well supported by the childminder who interacts and joins in with their games and this allows their learning to be extended. Children's welfare is well promoted and supported by policies and procedures and these are made available for inspection. These documents are used well and help the childminder to offer a quality service to parents and children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association, which enhances her practice. Parents have many opportunities to share information with the childminder which allows children's needs to be fully met. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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): • make the gas barbeque inaccessible to children

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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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