Al-Omair, Carol Lynn

Inspection report for early years provision

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153973 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2007 Inspection date Christine Powlesland 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 1996. She lives with her two children aged 13 and 15 years in a three bedroom, terraced house in Tavistock. The whole of the childminder's house, except for one bedroom, is used for minding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden suitable for outside play. The home is within walking distance of a variety of local amenities and the childminder is able to transport children to the local playgroups, school and out for visits.

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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, all except one are part time. Five children are under five and one attends full time. Two children are over five and one child attends before school and both are minded during the school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an National Vocational Qualification in play work. Overnight care is available.

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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 enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies as they visit the local park and play in the garden, riding tricycles and steering cars. The younger children join in physical activities enthusiastically because the childminder makes good use of the Birth to three matters framework. Her good understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives them confidence to try out new skills which they enjoy, such as dancing to music.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are learning the importance of good hygiene and personal care. For example, when sitting in high chairs their hands are cleaned with wet wipes to help prevent contamination. Their emotional well-being is supported by the childminder who encourages them to learn new skills. Cuddles and kisses are enjoyed by the children who have developed a close rapport with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. Drinks are available throughout the day for the children to access freely. Mealtimes are a sociable and enjoyable occasion as children sit around the table together with the childminder. All children bring packed lunch boxes and the childminder provides a cooked evening meal, such as roast meat with vegetables and potatoes, for some of the children. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and is working closely with them to ensure children's lunches are healthy, such as asking parents to provide fruit.

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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 orderly environment which is carefully planned by the childminder to maximise children's free movement and use of space. Resources are positioned appropriately at their height for them to access freely. The childminder gives higher priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety outside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example, toys with small pieces are kept out of the reach of babies when they attend. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children confidently enter the childminder's home and freely choose the activity they wish to play with from the wide range always available. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local groups. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to develop activities such as singing, puzzles and imaginative play to promote younger children's learning. They listen and respond with enjoyment to music and concentrate well when fitting the correct pieces into the jigsaw. The childminder encourages

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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 conversation as the children are developing language, for example discussing colours, counting and enjoying a game of pointing to their eyes, nose and ears. The childminder makes good use of the local toy library to extend her equipment and give the children further choices for play, such as outdoor traffic lights. An article written in the Early Learning newsletter shows the childminder and several children celebrating national storytelling week. A group of childminders and children get together regularly to enjoy reading books, and stay and play sessions help to develop young children's social skills. Photograph show children enjoy exploring a wide range of activities, which contribute to their creativity, such as play dough, paint, craft modelling and baking at home. The children also enjoy trips out to feed the ducks and ride on a miniature

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made to feel very welcome by the childminder who knows their individual needs and family lives well. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Younger children are learning to show concern for each other and to share when playing together. They make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do and independently helping themselves to drinks. Behaviour is good and is supported by the childminder using appropriate strategies suitable for the age and stage of the children attending. Praise is used frequently to reward and to encourage good behaviour. Although resources, such as a black doll and a wheelchair, are borrowed from the toy library to help increase children's awareness of diversity, there are few resources to develop the children's understanding of others. Children are looked after

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Helping children make a positive contribution

according to their parents wishes, with daily verbal exchanges and also some written records and shared photographs contributing to the high levels of continuity of care between home and the childminder’s that the children enjoy.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children feel at home and at ease within the well-organised environment. The childminder is aware her eldest child is almost 16 and will ensure he is vetted for suitability to ensure the safety of minded children. The routine of the day is flexible but based around the children's needs, such as collection from nursery and individual sleep patterns. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. All required documentation is in place and kept securely for confidentiality. The childminder is continually considering ways of improving her provision, including looking at joining a childminding network and becoming accredited.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to refer to current thinking on child development to update her knowledge and practice. She has subsequently attended a Birth to three matters training course and using this knowledge, and the Birth to three matters framework, has updated her practice.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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): • increase the provision of resources reflecting diversity to help develop the children's understanding of others.

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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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