Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY152814 Inspection date 15 September 2005 Inspector Saida Cummings

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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 since 2002. She lives with her husband and four children aged 3 months, 2, 5 and 8 years in a detached house, situated on the outskirts of Worcester city. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, pre-schools and schools within walking distance. The main areas used for childminding are situated on the ground floor, with sleeping, bathroom and further play facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. Children are also taken on local visits and outings, including regular attendances at the local carer and toddler

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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 groups. The family have no pets. The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time, and is currently minding three children under eight years and one child over eight years. All children attend on a part-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA), and also regularly attends the local childminding support group meetings and events. Children are walked to and from the local primary school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to be independent and are starting to learn self-care skills. They are made aware of the good hygiene procedures, which includes regular hand washing, especially after outdoor play, toileting and before meals. The risk of infection to children is reduced as the childminder follows the local health authority guidelines, and ensures all parents are made aware of them. Young children's routines such as sleep and meal times are well accommodated as the childminder ensures these are regularly discussed with parents, and is flexible within the usual time-table to ensure any changes to children's usual routines are met. Children have opportunities to exercise and develop their physical skills on a regular basis. They enjoy outdoor play activities and learn new skills such as skipping, jumping, pedalling, balancing and bouncing balls. Children enjoy going on regular

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Helping children to be healthy

local walks, such as visiting the nearby shops, various parks and the countryside centre. Older children are able to instigate their own outdoor activities and encourage the younger child to join in. For example, a recent project involved all the children helping to make kites and then running around outdoors trying to make them fly. Children enjoy well-organised meal times, which are also used as social times, with children of all different ages sitting to eat together. Their food and drink needs are well catered for and they enjoy nutritious and healthy meals, which are discussed and planned with parents. The childminder is flexible and parents may either choose to provide their own food or she supplies all appropriate meals and snacks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, safe and family-friendly environment. Hazards and risks to children are reduced as the premises are adapted accordingly and made safe by ensuring age-appropriate safety items are in place. Children are able to self-select from a wide variety of safe play equipment and resources, which is regularly cleaned and checked for safety. Children are constantly supervised and taught safety as part of everyday activities. This includes road safety when out walking, car safety when being transported and to be careful when playing near the baby. There is a written emergency evacuation

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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 procedure and the older children are made aware of this through discussions, however, this procedure is not practised. Sleeping children are physically checked on a regular basis. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and a good understanding of how to ensure children are kept safe from harm. She has completed appropriate child protection training and has also made herself familiar with the local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) guidelines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the way the resources and equipment are organised, which helps them to gain relevant experiences and to develop their independence. They are able to make choices from the wide range of activities and suitable play equipment which is stored at floor level during childminding sessions. Young children are provided with various stimulating toys and equipment, which are used to develop their awareness of different materials and textures. For example, using soft materials, the baby gym, items that shake, squeak and rattle. Children's activities are well planned with different types of play including messy play, crafts, outdoor play, quiet activities, stories, music and rhyme. Their interest and involvement is encouraged by the consistent and positive adult interaction. They are very comfortable with the childminder and she assists them when required, but encourages them to be independent and make their own choices. Children are able

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to use everyday experiences to extend their skills and learning. This includes times during their own instigated play when the childminder encourages them to recognise colours, develop their language and letter recognition, and to develop their understanding of maths. For example, when children instigate a drawing activity which develops into drawing around their own hands, there is a lot of discussion concerning the shapes and sizes of the different hands, the colours of the crayons used and counting the number of fingers. Children are happy and settled within the environment. The childminder constantly talks and plays with each individual child and encourages interaction between all ages. Their language development is encouraged through various planned activities, including reading stories, discussions and questioning. Older children are able to instigate their own activities and often undertake projects which are completed over a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

period of time. Very young children are supported and encouraged to enable them to gain confidence and to try new experiences. The childminder adapts the activities accordingly and supplies suitable materials to ensure the younger children are able to join in. Babies' needs are catered for as the childminder is very aware of types of activities to use to encourage physical development, such as crawling, walking, and taking an interest in their surroundings.

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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 have access to a range of resources and activities to promote their awareness of diversity. They are all treated equally and have equal access to resources and activities. The childminder ensures children are encouraged to make use of all the play equipment and activities available. The childminder understands equal opportunities and special needs issues and ensures these are incorporated into the care provided. Although she does not have experience of caring for any children with special needs, she demonstrates a good understanding of how to ensure any specific needs are met and to fully discuss all issues with parents. Children are given time, resources and assistance to ensure their individual specific needs are met as required, such as taking part in fun games

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to develop their speech and language. Children respond well to the childminder's approach to any behavioural issues and are generally well behaved. Their positive behaviour is encouraged and praised. They are encouraged to share and take turns, such as taking turns to construct a wooden block tower and then knock it down. The childminder shares the behaviour management policy with all the parents to ensure consistency is practised between the home and the setting. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder ensures full discussions are initially held with parents and that she is able to meet all requirements as outlined. Children are settled in on a gradual basis which is planned with the parents to ensure enough time is allowed. This varies depending on the individual child's needs and how quickly they settle into the new environment. Parents are kept fully informed of the childminder's routines and how the children spend their day. In this way both

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents and the childminder are able to share and build on the child's experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a warm, friendly and organised environment as the childminder ensures she plans the childminding session to meet their individual needs and their preferences. She has developed a good system for recording and keeping appropriate records as required. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to further development, as she is able to put newly acquired skills into practice by including specific activities into the sessions. She regularly attends appropriate training and keeps herself updated about childcare practice. The childminder plans the different parts of each session to make sure children are kept occupied and busy at all times. For example, they are given appropriate activities to keep them occupied at the dining table and in the high chair whilst the childminder is busy preparing their lunch. Children are given lots of individual attention and thoroughly enjoy good interaction with the childminder. She ensure she

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Organisation

organises her time during sessions to be able to adapt to their particular needs and routines. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to obtain the childminding training certificate, and to ensure that children are provided with a range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The provider has now obtained her childminding training certificate from the training body, and this is made available for parents to view. Children now have access to a range of play equipment and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She also makes use of the local lending toy library to give children varied choices of other play equipment. Children also have opportunities to take part in some activities to develop the awareness of diversity, such as during story-time when discussions are held concerning different cultures and disabilities.

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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): • develop the emergency evacuation procedure by ensuring this is practised.

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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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