Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339905 Unique Reference Number 27 April 2007 Inspection date Janette Elizabeth Owen 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 2006. She lives with her parents and brother in Craven Arms, South Shropshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone and eight children when working with another childminder and is currently minding three children under five all day, and three children before and after school. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. The childminder takes and collects children form local schools, pre-schools and nurseries. The family has one dog a rabbit and a bird.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/ or disabilities.

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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's health and welfare is promoted well through a healthy diet, exercise and by following appropriate hygiene procedures within the home. Any risk to children's health is minimised because the childminder understands the procedures for dealing with accidents. Positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection by ensuring children follow appropriate hygiene routines in relation to hand washing and by excluding children who are unwell. Children's individual daily routines in relation to rest and sleep are respected in order to ensure that they are provided with sufficient rest and sleep to meet their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are adequately nourished because the childminder ensures children have sufficient food and drink to meet their needs. Parents provide most meals for children although a cooked meal or sandwiches can also be provided if requested. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents to ensure their individual requirements are catered for and dietary information is noted on admission forms. Babies' feeds are given in accordance with parents wishes. Children have good opportunities to learn about healthy eating by talking about healthy foods, cooking and food tasting activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to be involved in activities which promote their good health and well-being through regular exercise and outdoor play. During fine weather many activities take place outdoors enabling the children to benefit from fresh air as they play with the toys set up outside. They are able to go on local walks to use the nearby play areas. Babies are provided with a safe play space where they can start to gain control over their movements as they begin to reach for toys and objects around them. Babies' physical and emotional needs are met. Their daily routines in relation to food and sleep are followed and they receive lots of cuddles and interaction from the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe and well cared for in premises that are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose because the childminder provides a well-maintained, safe environment for children. They have ample free space in which to move around using the ground floor of the home including the conservatory play room which has direct access to the secure rear garden. Children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment for use indoors and outside which is suitable, safe and age-appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is promoted because positive steps are taken to ensure safety within the home and outside and ensure proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. However, the childminder does not carry public liability insurance. This compromises children's welfare. Appropriate steps have been taken to minimise the risk of accidents to children by the use of safety equipment and ensuring children are well-supervised at all times. The garden and play equipment is checked for hazards before children go out to play. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe because they are shown how to use the play equipment safely. There is a fire evacuation procedure which is practised with the children to ensure they understand how to leave the premises safely. The childminder is aware of the changes in legislation and additional car seats have been provided which ensure children are safe when travelling in the car. Children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

welfare is protected because the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection and

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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 follows procedures in line with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. All required checks have been completed to ensure the suitability of persons in contact with the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's care needs are met well because the childminder follows children's daily routines to ensure they are well-settled and happy. They are well-occupied and able to make sound developmental progress because they are provided with a good range of suitable activities which promotes their development and learning through play. For example children are able to use the good range of outdoor equipment to develop their physical skills, they can explore sand and water play and enjoy activities such as cooking, making eater nests and icing biscuits. The childminder uses an approach in line with the good practice of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to ensure that young children are making sound developmental progress. Babies are encouraged to communicate because the childminder makes good eye contact with the child to gain their attention while she talks to them. She talks to the child while playing and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

giving feeds, this helps the child to develop a positive relationship and to understand their needs are acknowledged and affirmed. The activities provided for babies are suitable and safe and enable them to explore using their senses such as touching textured toys and listening to the sounds made by musical toys. They are able to develop their mobility because they have space to roll and begin to crawl which is suitable and safe.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a good sense of belonging. The views of children are sought in relation to activities and resources they want to use. The childminder has a sound understanding of equal opportunities and ensures all children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources which promote positive images of different cultures and backgrounds, for example books and dolls. Activities are used to introduce children to different customs and celebrations from other countries and religions. This helps develop children’s awareness of diversity and helps them to develop positive attitudes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met well because information on children's individual needs is discussed with parents and included on admission forms. The information is used to ensure children's needs are met in relation to their developmental needs, daily routines, diet and medical requirements. The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties because she works with another childminder who has experience of providing care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a sound understanding of how to manage behaviour. Behaviour management strategies are used consistently by both childminders to ensure children receive the same messages about behaviour. Methods used are age-appropriate and include distraction and use of explanations as to why behaviour is unacceptable. Concerns about behaviour are shared with parents to ensure the well-being of all children. There is a good relationship with parents and carers', the childminder is flexible in meeting their needs providing a service before and after school and during the holidays. Parents are kept informed of their child's daily routine and activities through informal chats at the end of the day. However, the written agreement with parents does not include details of both childminders and which childminder has responsibility for each child. This means that parents are not fully informed about their child's care.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises the daily routines well to ensure the needs of children and their parents are met. She has met the requirements of registration in relation to training and has attended additional relevant training such as child protection and the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is keen to continue to improve her knowledge through further training. This broadens children’s experience and increases the childminder’s knowledge of childcare issues which contributes to the quality of care provided. Documents required to maintain children's safety and welfare are kept with exception of insurance cover. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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): • ensure public liability insurance is held • review the written agreement with parents to ensure they are fully informed about who is responsible for the care of the children.

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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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