Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 208459 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Julie Kim Davies

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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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and their 2 children aged 7 and 10 years. They live in a residential suburb, close to local shops and schools. Most of the home is used for childminding. There is a conservatory play room,lounge/dining room with direct access to a kitchen and upstairs bathroom. There is a fenced garden area at the rear of the property used by the children under supervision. The family have a range of pets including three dogs, a caged bird and a fish tank.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are involved in excellent activities which are appropriate to their ages and the childminder promotes a healthy life style and diet. The daily routine and timetable provides them with a very good range of outings, games and resources to help them become aware of their bodies and needs, for example, for drinks and rest. They also go on visits to local adventure parks and there are organised games in the garden. Children’s all-round health and well-being is excellently promoted through the childminder’s enthusiasm to gain knowledge and skills to continually develop the service offered to children and their families. This is evident in the way she recently volunteered for and became part of a trial, through the local childminding group, of a commercial work package designed to support the effective implementation and use of the Birth to Three Matters framework. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they readily learn about the

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Helping children to be healthy

importance of good hygiene and personal care. Older children understand why they wash their hands before snacks or after playing with the dog or using the toilet. There are excellent procedures around the care of animals and the impact of their presence for children. All children are given excellent encouragement and support to follow high quality hygiene routines. Children are very aware of a healthy diet and the importance of eating nutritious food. Children can readily access agreed drinks as required. The children are included in choosing what foods they will eat and understand that vegetables are very important to a healthy diet. Parents wishes are actively sought and acted upon and children's individual needs are addressed very well.

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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 well organised, welcoming home which is arranged to meet their physical needs. Children’s safety is a high priority and risks are minimised through the good use of risk assessments. Effective supervision ensures children are safe. There are routines in place enabling older children to move from room to room independently. They freely choose from a wide range of well maintained toys and activities that are planned to meet their individual needs and interests. Children learn about keeping safe and how to behave when outside the home with the support of the childminder. An excellent range of records and documentation are in place and are used effectively by the childminder to safeguard the children both inside and outside the home. For example, the children take part in fire drill practises

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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 and emergency evacuations to enable them to feel confident and secure if such a situation arises. The childminder has a sound understanding of local child protection procedures. However, she has limited knowledge of how to respond if there were child protection allegations made against members of the household, including herself.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They make themselves at home, confidently use the resources and independently choose activities with enthusiasm and interest. A wide age range of children attend and so have good opportunities to socialise and interact. Younger children in particular have varied social events for fun, large physical play and interaction with other children through attendance at local activity and childminding groups. The childminder is committed to ensuring all children develop to their potential and is implementing the Birth to Three Matters framework into the daily planning. This enables activities to be adapted and further promotes children’s learning through play. Children are becoming increasingly independent and motivated as they initiate activities and choose what interests them from a broad range of resources. For example, they talk about favourite games and videos. Younger children show pride in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

how they complete a complex jigsaw puzzle. During the daily routine children explore a wide range of materials, such as paint, glue and dough. They enthusiastically use books and actively take part in the stories read to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder’s enthusiasm and the stimulating range of activities provided. These promote a positive view of the wider world and increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, they socialise with other children at the local activity and childminding groups. They visit places of interest such as local parks and library, using books and resources which reflect other cultures and diversity. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are well understood and children follow a daily routine which is discussed with their parents. The childminder understands how to promote harmonious play and respecting the needs of others. There are clear behavioural boundaries and positive strategies to ensure all children understand what is expected of them. Children have time to relax as well as be active. The childminder is proactive in making sure children's individual

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Helping children make a positive contribution

needs are discussed with parents and the parents are provided with an excellent range of worthwhile written information about the good practice provided.

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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 The organisation is outstanding. The childminder maintains a superb range of high quality documentation and records which are excellently organised. These include many relevant additional policies and procedures for parents. This contributes to the children's welfare, care and learning and reflects current good practice. The children feel at home and are at ease in a secure routine and child-centred environment. For example, there is a playroom enabling children to choose from a good range of resources. Parents are kept very well informed about their child's routine including the activities the children are involved in. The children are safe and secure and the provision effectively meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to record all accidents however minor and share with parents. This has been fully implemented.

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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 knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of a child protection allegation being made against a member of the household including the childminder.

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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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