Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344218 Unique Reference Number 10 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 husband and one adult child in a house in Telford. There are shops and schools within walking distance. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone. When co-working with another childminder they are registered to care for a maximum of 10 children. They presently have 12 children on roll. They equally share the responsibilities of the childminding practice. They walk to the local school to take and collect children and regularly attend a carer and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 protected from the risk of infection and cross-contamination through the childminder's awareness of children's health care matters and the implementation of related policies and procedures, such as having individual bedding or travel cots for each child and excluding those who are ill or infectious. Toys and equipment are kept clean and in good condition to further ensure that children's health is protected. Appropriate documentation is maintained regarding the administration of medication and recording of accidents, and a suitably stocked first aid box is available to ensure children's well-being is safeguarded in the event of accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good understanding of personal hygiene and physical care due to the well- established daily routines that they are familiar with. They are provided with soap and paper towels to clean their hands after the toilet and before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health and well-being is promoted through regular exercise and a healthy diet. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of food that is good for them; they learn about healthy eating through related discussions and activities. Children are provided with cooked meals daily and the weekly menu is displayed so that parents are aware of what is on offer. Sliced apple, banana and dried fruit are thoroughly enjoyed by children and they are developing good table manners through consistent routines implemented on a daily basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activity is regularly included in the children's routine. They have good opportunities to be active and develop their stamina through walks to and from school. They develop coordination and control when riding on wheeled toys or practise gymnastics in the garden. Regular use of fixed equipment at the local play park provide children with good opportunities to extend their climbing and balancing skills. Activities are organised around children's routines, allowing time for them to rest and sleep as well as being active.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled within the setting. Play activities take place in a designated playroom where displays of children's photographs ensure they develop a strong sense of belonging. The adjoining store room and dining room provide quiet areas for those needing a daytime sleep. Children benefit from a clean and well-organised environment where their safety and welfare is high priority.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with a wide range of safe and stimulating toys and equipment that offer both challenge and interest to all children attending. Young children benefit from a selection of sensory toys that promote use of their senses as they touch, feel and listen to the sounds they make. A selection of well-maintained resources is made available daily; several play options are placed on the playroom floor so that the youngest 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 well protected due to effective safety measures both inside and outside the home and by the childminder's commitment to safeguarding the children in her care. Comprehensive risk assessments and health and safety policies ensure the home is maintained to a high standard. Children learn about safety in a sensitive and appropriate manner, which helps them to effectively

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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 learn about boundaries and limits. Children are becoming familiar with the simple house rules which are in place to promote their safety and they develop a clear understanding of what is expected of them, for example, they know not to stand on furniture.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well soon after arriving and make themselves at home. They have access to a suitable variety of toys, activities and equipment to help promote their learning. The childminder interacts positively with the children in their daily routines and play giving consistent support; babies learn to communicate and benefit greatly from close physical contact with the childminder and respond excitedly to her warm, friendly tone and animated facial expressions. They are confident to investigate the brightly coloured toys, pressing buttons to discover the different 'pop-ups' or see which shape fits where. They have great fun playing 'peek-a-boo' with discarded felt, jiggle about to music and are beginning to join in action rhymes by clapping their hands together. Children explore different textures as they paint with their fingers, hands and feet, or use play dough and papier mache in their creative play. Older children attending after school

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

receive help with homework. They are very supportive towards the babies and younger children and involve them in their play. The childminder reports that their favourite role play is 'childminders' and performing singing and dancing shows to entertain the little ones. Younger children are able to extend their social skills further as the childminder visits the carer/toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have free access to a good range of resources and equipment which they enjoy, find stimulating and allow them to develop an understanding of diversity. Younger children are supported well to become independent and develop self-confidence as the childminder encourages and supports them to explore and investigate the world around them. Children's individual needs are accommodated well with the childminder following their routines and being aware of their likes and dislikes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good techniques are used to promote and encourage appropriate behaviour, such as praise, distraction, discussion and a basic awareness of what the children like to do. This helps to promote a respectful and caring atmosphere.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good, with a strong emphasis on support and consistency. Policies and procedures are in place and are effective in ensuring that children are cared for in line with parent's wishes and in a calm and consistent manner. Verbal feedback and the provision of daily diaries ensures that parents know what their children have been doing whilst in the childminder's care and are aware of any issues. Parents provide very positive feedback on how well the children settle in, the progress in their overall development and the care and attention they receive from the childminders.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder works with a co-childminder, sharing roles and responsibilities equally between them to ensure safe management of the provision, ensuring that ratios are effectively met and

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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 that her day is organised to offer children a good level of attention and supervision. Children have sufficient space, activities and resources to provide for their needs. Access to training materials is effective in ensuring that the childminder keeps up-to-date with current childcare issues and good practice guidelines. This allows children to be cared for in an environment which is interesting and stimulating.

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Organisation

Detailed and regularly reviewed policies and procedures are in place, which outline clearly the care provided for the children and how the childminder ensures that children are safe whilst in her care. Parents have good access to these so that they know about the care provided for their children. Paperwork is stored in good order and mostly maintained in line with requirements. However, the parent's signature on one accident record has been omitted and there is no record of which adult cares for the children on a daily basis when both childminders are present or collecting children from school. Consequently children's welfare is not fully protected.

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Organisation

Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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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): • improve documentation to secure all required signatures and maintain a record of who is providing the care for the minded 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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