Teece, Elaine Margaret

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 321908 Inspection date 10 June 2005 Inspector Anne Scarrott

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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 has been registered 24 years. She lives with her husband and 2 sons aged 14 and 17 years in a detached house situated off the main road. There is a conservatory type extension to the home which is used as a play room, this is directly off the dining room which is also used for childminding purposes. There is an outside yard which is not suitable for outside play at present. The childminder takes the children to local parks for outside play. There are currently nine children on roll with a maximum of six attending at any one

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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 time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder has appropriate procedures in place and has a good awareness of their individual needs and routines. They are well protected from the spread of disease through good routines for example, tables are washed with anti bacterial spray before and after the children have meals and snacks. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through sound daily routines and become increasingly independent in their personal care. However they don’t always follow the hand washing routine before having snacks. Older children are aware of their own personal needs and are escorted upstairs to the toilet; the childminder waits outside and then encourages them to wash their hands. Children enjoy a well balanced, varied and healthy diet using home made food, for example shepherds pie or chicken in sauce served with fresh vegetables. This is

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Helping children to be healthy

agreed with parents and recognises children’s likes and dislikes. Children are encouraged to try new foods. They enjoy foods from other countries, for example chillies and sweet and sour dishes. Drinks are available at all times throughout the day and children ask for drinks as they want them. All the children have their own cups minimising the risk of the spread of germs. Babies have nappies changed for their comfort and sleep routines are followed as agreed with their parents. The nappy changing routine is well organised and is done in a caring and gentle manner with the childminder talking to the child throughout the nappy change. The lounge is used for babies sleep time providing a restful environment for them. Older children have periods of rest built into their daily routine, for example watching a favourite DVD before lunch. The childminder takes children them to local parks where they can take part in

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Helping children to be healthy

physically challenging activities using the equipment provided for example swings, slides and climbing equipment. They also use bats and balls to play games where there is lots of space to run about. Their fine motor skills are well provided for through the range of activities and equipment available to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming setting where positive steps have been taken to promote their safety. Children easily and safely self select from a varied range of high quality age and developmentally appropriate resources for use in the living room and conservatory. Appropriate safety equipment is in place and good safety procedures established. For example the front door is locked and has an alarm on it to alert the childminder when it is opened. Babies are well supervised during sleep time using a TV monitor in the living room so that they can be seen and heard at all

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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 times. Children have free, safe access to a good range of toys and equipment. The childminder is keen to ensure children are safe and some toys, for example small plastic bricks and pegs are kept in the conservatory away from babies. Children are encouraged to help the childminder clear away the toys before lunch and they talk knowledgeably about keeping the floor clear so that they don't hurt themselves and not taking small toys into the area where babies are cared for. Children are learning how to keep safe on outings to local parks through recognised routines, such as holding hands and using the green cross code and talking about stranger danger. They regularly have stories from a range of books about dangers to small children and how to avoid them. Good recording systems to keep children safe are in place for example, medication,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

accident and incident records. As part of her child collection policy the childminder insists on meeting everyone who will be collecting minded children from her. However children's welfare is not fully secure as the childminder has limited knowledge of the local child protection procedures and contacts and is not secure in her knowledge of when to record her concerns about a child's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and have positive relationships with adults and other children. They enjoy excellent support from the childminder and her assistant. Children are very confident and freely access a wide and varied range of activities. Routines are well planned and include daily visits to local parks to provide outside physical play for the children. Children use their imaginations very well and act out scenes with brick models they have built and in role play using toys and equipment as they wish. They play well independently and with each other and share stories with each other and with adults. All the children are very confident, they ask for drinks and snacks, help with building models, reading books and receive positive encouragement in drawing and craft activities. They respond positively, using please and thank you when applicable. Children extend their play to include the childminder asking questions and receiving

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

positive responses. They respond well to questions that test their understanding and increase their knowledge. Young children are developing good counting skills and demonstrate this proudly by counting confidently to 20. Children are learning new things from daily happenings for example, watching birds in the garden feeding their young. Children have clear boundaries set by the childminder and understand rules. For example not standing in the doorway between the conservatory and living room as it stops people from getting to where they want to be.

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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 are all treated with equal concern, valuing their individuality and meeting their needs effectively. The childminder cares for children with special needs very well. She works closely with parents to ensure she can meet their child's individual needs and she assesses any impact there might be on other children in the setting. Children have a strong sense of belonging, they make their own choices about what to play with and when. They are confident and happy to climb on the knee of childminder’s assistant for a cuddle. They enjoy recognising themselves and others in photographs and happily relate the story of when the photograph was taken and what they were doing at the time. Children are happy to be with the childminder, her assistant and with each other. For example they discuss the models they are making

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and help each other with them. They play easily together sharing very well and show consideration for others, for example one child broke off from his drawing to entertain a baby to make sure she was happy. Babies make eye contact with the childminder and receive positive responses. They smile at older children who are very caring towards them. Children have full access to the whole range of good quality toys, games and activities. They experience food from different countries and use a range of toys and books showing people from other countries and cultures. However, some parents' wishes are being respected and not much emphasis is put on this aspect of care. This limits some of the children’s awareness of a wider society. Children's confidence and self esteem is built up through use of positive praise and encouragement. Children understand rules and help the childminder put toys away and clear the table and chairs in readiness for lunch. They behave very well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at home and at ease within the well organised setting. Space is organised well to give room for children to play and move freely. The childminder and her assistant provide excellent support for the children working well with each other. Children’s care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. Verbal information is shared daily with parents to keep them well informed about their child’s day, routine, achievements and progress. The required documentation is in place and stored safety to maximise confidentiality and ensure that children's needs are met and their health and safety catered for. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She has bought some toys and books for the children

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Improvements 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 and an activity ideas book for herself to address this weakness. This has gone some way to improving children's awareness of a wider society. However, in response to some parents' wishes she does not actively identify differences in cultures and celebrations meaning that children's awareness is still limited. This continues to be an area for development.

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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): • become familiar with local child protection guidance, procedures and contacts • improve the range of equipment and activities that develop children's awareness of cultural diversity.

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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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