Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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405316 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 2001. She lives with her husband and their two adult children in Craven Arms in Shropshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property 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 four children under five all day, and four children before and after school. 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 disabilities. She 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's health and welfare is promoted well through a healthy diet, exercise and because appropriate hygiene procedures are followed within the home. Any risk to children's health is minimised because the childminder follows clear 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. Parents are asked to provide toys for young babies to minimise the risk of cross-infection when toys are shared. The childminder discusses children’s individual daily routines with parents to ensure that the children 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 are provided with sufficient food and drink to meet their needs. Parents provide most meals for children. The childminder is able to provide snacks and cooked meals if requested. Their 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 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 begin to gain control over their movements as they begin to reach for toys and objects around them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. 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. During fine weather children use many of the activities outside enabling them to get lots of fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to promote safety within the home and outside and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. 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 the childminder talks to children about 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. Additional car seats have been provided which ensure children are safe when travelling in the car. Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection and follows procedures in

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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 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. The childminder encourages babies to begin to communicate because she talks to them while playing and attending to their daily routines, this helps the child to develop a positive relationship and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. Direct access from conservatory play room to garden enables children to choose where they want to play and move freely from indoors to outside.

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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. For example children are able to visit the local scrap store to chooses recycled materials to use in their art and craft work and have opportunities to look at catalogues to choose new toys. The childminder uses all information provided by parents to enable her to get to know the children well and to ensure their individual needs are met. The childminder has regard to relevant anti-discriminatory good practice and ensures all children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources which promote positive images of diversity, for example books and dolls. She is beginning to introduce children to different customs and celebrations from other countries and religions. However, although the range of resources has been improved since the last inspection there is still a lack of resources

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Helping children make a positive contribution

which reflect disabilities. This means that children’s awareness of diversity is not fully reflected in the resources available.

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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 and disabilities because she is experienced and is able to work with parents to ensure children's specific needs can be addressed. 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.

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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 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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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is able to manage the daily organisation of the provision effectively to ensure the needs of children and their parents are met. She is qualified and has attended additional relevant training such as child protection and the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She is keen to continue to improve her knowledge through further training such as training in dyslexia. This broadens children’s experience and increases the childminder’s knowledge of childcare issues which contributes to the quality of care provided. All documents required to maintain children's safety and welfare are kept. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given four recommendation to improve the quality of the provision. Good progress has been mad in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children. The childminder has attended child protection training to improve her understanding of child protection issues and procedures this ensures she is knowledgeable and able to protect the children in her care. Hygiene procedures have been improved in relation to nappy changing. The childminder uses gloves when changing nappies which reduces any risk of cross infection. Less progress has been made in relation to ensuring children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. Although additional multi-cultural resources have been obtained there is a lack of positive images of disability this means that children’s awareness of diversity is not fully reflected in

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Improvements since the last inspection

the resources available. Parents are provided with a written agreement which sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements. 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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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Complaints 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): • further develop the range of resources to ensure they also reflect positive images of disability • 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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