Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344535 Unique Reference Number 22 May 2007 Inspection date Olwen Pulker 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 two-year-old child in Telford, Shropshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat and a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children part-time. She sometimes works with an assistant. The childminder can walk to local schools to take and collect children but has a car if children require to be taken further afield. The childminder attends the local childminders group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 are cared for in a clean and suitably maintained home, where they learn the importance of personal hygiene through appropriately established routines; they wash their hands before mealtimes and cooking activities and after toileting. The children are protected from the risk of infection through the childminder's implementation of sound policies and procedures, for example, excluding children who are ill or infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to have an understanding of a healthy diet. The childminder reminds them that their favourite superhero from the television programme, 'Lazy Town', eats fruit and vegetables and the children refer to fruit as 'sports candy'. The childminder provides a snack lunch of sandwiches, fruit and a milk drink. Children are given cooked teas such as spaghetti bolognaise or a chicken dinner and are provided with regular drinks of water or sugar-free fruit juice to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a range of physical activities which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy playing in the garden on various equipment such as wheeled toys to help them develop control of their bodies. They regularly go to the park to play football and have picnics or indoor play-barns where they use the large climbing equipment or play in the ball pools.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children use the living room which is organised suitably for their play. They relax on the settee and use the dining table for creative activities. The childminder monitors toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. A selection of well-maintained resources are made available daily; several play options are kept in storage boxes in the living room so that children are able to access them safely and independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment. Their risk of accidental injury is lessened because the childminder has taken steps to minimise hazards. For example, door jammers and socket inserts are fitted and the stairs are inaccessible to young children. Children learn to cross roads safely when out and about and the childminder has appropriate 'house rules' in place to promote children's safety. However, the fire blanket is inappropriately placed and although the childminder has considered an emergency evacuation plan she has not shared this with the older children and consequently they are not informed of how to keep themselves safe in the event of fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues; both the Local Safeguarding Children's Board and National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children guidelines are available with details of whom to contact should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure in the childminder's care. She interacts positively with the children in their daily routines and play, giving consistent support; she aids early speech

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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 development through constant dialogue with the children. They confidently name the different colours of chalks they use to draw pictures on individual chalk boards. Pre-school children are encouraged to practise their writing skills and enjoy creating patterns on the 'Thomas the Tank' aquadraw mat. They have further opportunities to develop their creativity when decorating cakes with sugar strands and jelly sweets or adding their choice of toppings when making pizzas. They enjoy getting together with other children when they visit another childminder for a weekly game of bingo. This regular activity is effective in developing their recognition of numbers and in extending their social skills. Children also enjoy regular outings to the park to play football and the childminder organises day trips during the school holidays when she takes

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children to attractions of their choice, such as the West Midlands Safari Park. Older children attending after school are given help with their homework if required and have plentiful opportunities for active outdoor play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They are comfortable and confident in the welcoming environment and make themselves at home. Their individual needs are catered for and they build a trusting relationship with the childminder, which fosters their sense of belonging. There are limited resources such as children's television programmes and magazines to promote positive images of diversity and as yet the childminder has not introduced any activities to promote children's knowledge and understanding of different cultures and abilities. The childminder has effective procedures in place for caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and works closely in partnership with parents and professionals in order to meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are learning to share toys and play well together. They learn good manners and respect for others as the childminder provides a good role model. Children understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age-appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. They are given copies of the policies and procedures to inform them about the service provided. Verbal dialogue, text messages and written accounts between the childminder and parents ensures that information is exchanged daily to promote continuity of care and children's well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed and confident to choose their own activities, they are effectively supported by the childminder who organises the play environment appropriately. Adult to child ratios are good ensuring that children spend individual time with the childminder to promote their learning and sense of belonging.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is promoted as the childminder is committed to attending training courses to extend her knowledge of good childcare practice. She has a current first aid qualification and has completed several short courses relating to children's play and development as well as health and safety issues.

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Organisation

Most documentation is maintained in good order to ensure the safe management of the setting and thereby promote the welfare of children. Information about children's care, including

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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 agreed contracts with parents, are in place so that both parties are clear about the service provided. All required parental consents have been obtained and the register clearly indicates children's times of arrival and departure from the setting.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • ensure the suitable location of the fire blanket and practise the emergency evacuation procedures regularly to ensure children can be evacuated safely and older children develop an understanding of safety procedures • ensure that all children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources which promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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