Allman Beverley Jayne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 223622 Inspection date 27 April 2005 Inspector Mary Anne Henderson

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 9 and 12 years old. They live in a terraced house in an established residential area in Whitchurch, North Shropshire. The property is within walking distance of the local shopping centre, schools and pre-schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two dogs and a parrot.

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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 registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children from under one year up to five years old. Children attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. The childminder is a Link Childminder, offering support through the Early Years Team, for newly registered childminders. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has gained the Quality First award which is endorsed by the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities which contribute to their good health. They are taken on daily walks to help them develop their bodies for example, as they take the family dogs for a walk and visit the local park to improve their physical skills. Children show enthusiasm and energy as they make choices from the accessible toys and activities. They understand simple hygiene practices as they wash their hands before they eat and after outdoor play. Younger children show enthusiasm as they play co-operatively with their peers and involve themselves in chosen activities that are easily accessible to them. Children are beginning to have an understanding of a healthy diet. They are provided with drinking water throughout the day and food provided by the childminder is nutritious, meets their dietary needs and well presented for the children using appropriate cutlery, plates and cups. Children find out about healthy eating while

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Helping children to be healthy

involved in planned activities with the childminder. Children's individual needs with regard to eating and sleep routines are met through positive relationships and ongoing verbal exchange of information between the childminder and the parents. The childminder has a copy of the Birth to three pack at the setting. However the provision could be further developed through the use of this framework as a base to support children in their earliest years.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment that is safe because risks are identified and minimised. The children are therefore able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining safety outside the home, for example, children are involved in activities that help them learn how to cross the road safely. Children independently select activities from a broad range of good quality toys and equipment which meets safety standards. Children are closely supervised while they make choices about what they want to play with and the childminder ensures they play with resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children stay

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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 safe because the childminder has the required procedures in place to ensure their welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and she has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. She ensures the family pets do not pose any risk to the children by having the animals screened by a vet. Children play safely in the outdoor play space under close supervision by the childminder at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle extremely well soon after arriving and they make themselves at home. They relate to each other positively and socialise with other children through regular attendance at the childminder drop-in, toddler group and visiting the play bus. Younger children show excellent skills in independence as they choose from a broad range of toys, activities and equipment suitable to all their ages and stages of development. All children spend their time in purposeful activities throughout the day. They enjoy an excellent range of freely accessible creative activities for example exploring the paints, home corner resources, playing in the sand and listening to music and children's rhymes on the tape recorder. Children's self-esteem and sense of belonging is positively fostered as they play in an environment where they see their drawings, paintings and photographs valued and displayed at their own level.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is caring and warm with the children which promotes a feeling of security for all children. Children are excited and show great interest in what they do. Children, including the under three's use their initiative, ask questions and respond positively to challenge. Children of all ages and abilities have access to an excellent range of indoor and outdoor equipment that encourages and extends their physical development. The younger children are making positive relationships with each other. They are happy passing each other toys and encouraging each other to be part of the group for example, very young children share their toys with the baby and encourage him to join in their games. Younger children are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong and are able to manage their own behaviour. The childminder supports the younger children with very effective strategies such as talking to them calmly and encouraging them to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

have regard for others and to take turns with the toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children of all ages access an excellent range of interesting and challenging activities including activities that promote a positive view of the wider world. Free access to a broad range of toys and resources encourages the children to have an awareness of diversity including religion, culture and people with disabilities. They are able to taste foods from different cultural backgrounds and explore various cultural differences as

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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 part of planned activities. Children effectively learn about their local community as they visit local places of interest such as the shops, toddler groups, the library and the local train station. Children's individual needs are valued, respected and well met as they spend their day in a well organised environment. Parents are consulted on a daily basis about their child's needs and they receive verbal and written feedback about their child's achievements. At the time of the inspection one of the parents provided positive comments about the care of their child. The children show excellent skills in caring for each other as they play co-operatively and happily together throughout the day. They behave very well and respond positively to challenging situations. Children make themselves at home from the time

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Helping children make a positive contribution

they arrive, choosing toys from the accessible boxes and drawers and making good use of all the available space. They have time to relax, eat with each other and be active both indoors and in the garden. They respond well to the excellent range of planned and spontaneous activities and chat to their peers and the childminder about what they see, hear, taste and feel.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very settled and at ease with each other and with the childminder in this stimulating environment. They show good levels of confidence and are able to initiate their own play and learning as they make their own choices and receive support from the childminder. The childminder plans the children's activities and daily routines well. The children benefit from the childminder's ongoing training and development which she undertakes on a regular basis. Children's needs are well supported through a range of policies that are in place and used effectively to promote their welfare, care and learning needs. Parents are kept well informed about the service provided through access to a Parent Pack which provides them with copies of the settings policies and information about children's activities. This contributes well to the continuity of children's care and development.

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Organisation

The range of policies available to parents should be updated and extended and should include all elements as outlined in the National Standards and guidance. Overall the provision meets the needs of the wide range of ages and developmental needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve the medication records by ensuring written parental permission is in place regarding the administering of any medication. The childminder now ensures this confirmation is included in the parent’s contracts so that parents have agreed beforehand that the childminder may administer any required medication for their child.

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Improvements 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): • promote children's development through their earliest years by using a framework such as the Birth to three matters. • update and extend the range of policies provided to parents and ensure the inclusion of all elements as outlined in the National Standards and guidance.

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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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