Childminder in ShropshireOfsted inspection, 23 May 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY233736 Inspection date 23 May 2005 Inspector Mary Anne Henderson

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2002. She lives with her partner and 2 children aged 4 and 14 months old. They live in an extended semi-detached house in Bridgnorth in Shropshire. All areas of the house, excluding one bedroom, are used for child minding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play area. The family have a pet rabbit. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends childminder drop-in and toddler groups, and takes children on local outings shopping

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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 and to parks. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five years and one child under eight years on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are taken on walks to the local parks for fresh air and physical play. This positively contributes to their health and well-being. The children have a good understanding of simple hygiene practices as they wash their hands after playing outdoors and before snacks and lunchtimes. Younger children play co-operatively with their peers and involve themselves with activities as they visit the local drop-in and toddler groups with the childminder. Children are beginning to have an understanding of a healthy diet. They visit the local library with the childminder to find out about healthy food and they are learning about the benefits of exercise. They are provided with a very good range of nutritious food and drink throughout the day. Meals include meat, fish, pasta and vegetables. Children are also provided with a good range of fresh and dried fruit for snack time. Children's individual sleep and eating requirements are well met through positive

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Helping children to be healthy

relationships and ongoing verbal exchange of information between the childminder and the parents. The sleep and eating routines of babies and very young children are recorded in a daily diary to ensure continuity and consistency of care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children undertake a broad range of interesting activities in the secure indoor and outdoor areas under close supervision of the childminder. Children independently select from a range of toys and equipment that are checked for hazards by the childminder on a regular basis. Children are able to move around safely, freely and independently in the well organised environment. Areas are checked before children arrive to ensure safety procedures are in place. The children have access to a broad range of equipment, toys and furniture which are suitable for their stage of development, well maintained and conform to safety standards. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has the required procedures in place, for example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and she has a very good understanding of child protection procedures. The childminder has undertaken further training in child protection and she has a copy of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the Area Child Protection Committee procedures at hand should she have any

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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 concerns regarding the welfare of a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children socialise with others through regular attendance at the childminder drop-in and toddler groups. They settle well from the time they arrive and they have a very positive, relaxed relationship with the childminder. Children show very good skills in independence as they choose from a broad range of toys, activities and equipment that are easily accessible in the play areas and suitable to their ages and stages of development. Children's development through their earliest years could be further promoted through the use of a framework such as the Birth to Three Matters. The children spend their time in purposeful activities throughout the day. They enjoy a good range of accessible creative activities for example exploring the paint easel, drawing and playing with the home corner resources. Children have a very good sense of self esteem and independence as they make their own choices about what

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they want to do and they receive appropriate support from the childminder. The children are excited and show interest in what they choose to do. Children of all ages use their initiative well, ask questions and respond positively to challenge. They have access to a range of indoor and outdoor equipment that encourages and extends their physical development. Children are happy playing games with the childminder who interacts positively with them and encourages them to develop a range of learning skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children of all ages are encouraged to make their own choices from a range of interesting and challenging activities and resources, including resources that promote an understanding of the wider world. They access a range of toys and resources that positively reflects diversity including positive images of people with disabilities. They also have the opportunity to visit the library and build on their knowledge of diversity. The children learn about their local community as they visit local places of interest such as the library, shops, toddler groups and visiting with friends. Children's individual needs are valued, respected and well met as they play and involve themselves in a very organised and accessible environment. Children's feelings of self-esteem and belonging are fostered very well by the childminder who values and displays their art work and photographs in the children's play areas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's positive behaviour is promoted by the childminder who uses sound behaviour management strategies. For example, talking calmly and encouraging children to think about the feelings of others. Children are also encouraged to take turns with the toys and resources and the older children are encouraged to be involved in setting the house rules which are displayed in the dining area.

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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 Children's individual needs regarding eating and sleeping routines are well met through very positive relationships and daily verbal or written exchange of information with parents. The parents of very young children are provided with a daily diary which is used to inform parents about their child's development and routine.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very well settled and at ease with the childminder who provides an open, warm and welcoming atmosphere for children and their parents. The children are very confident and able to initiate their own play and learning as they make choices and receive appropriate developmental support. Adult to child ratios are good and the childminder plans the children's activities and daily routines well ensuring their individual needs are acknowledged and met. There are very positive relationships between the childminder and the parents. The childminder and the parents exchange ongoing verbal or written feedback which effectively contributes to the welfare, care and learning of each child. The required documentation and procedures which contribute to children's health, safety and well-being are in place, updated and regularly reviewed. Parents have access to an informative Parent Pack which outlines menus, routines and activities provided for

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Organisation

the children. There is a good range of written policies in place which support the provision. These are made available to the parents. Overall the provision meets the needs of the wide range of ages and developmental needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to address three recommendations. The childminder was asked to ensure the fire blanket is made operable as it had not been wall mounted. The fire blanket is now mounted in an appropriate place on the wall in the kitchen-diner so that it can be easily accessed in an emergency. The childminder was also asked to ensure there is written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. There is now signed written permission from all parents so that the childminder can seek emergency medical treatment or advice for all the children in her care should an emergency arise. Finally, the childminder was asked to ensure that the low-level glass panels were made safe or inaccessible to the children. The childminder has since moved house so children no longer have access to low-level glass panels. At the new address, the childminder has ensured all accessible glass is toughened so that children are kept

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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 There are no complaints to report.

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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): • promote children's development through their earliest years by using a framework such as the Birth to Three Matters.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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