Ryall Carol

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 255745 Inspection date 14 July 2005 Inspector Kim Sharratt

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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 1988. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a house in the Cradley area of Halesowen, close to local schools and shops. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding,. There is a spacious play room, lounge/dining room with direct access to the kitchen. The upstairs rooms are not used, except to gain access to the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is a qualified Nursery Nurse. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part-time

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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 basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of outdoor activities including daily walks, visits to park, outings and the use of equipment such as swings, bikes, climbing frames and a play house all of which contributes to their health and helps them to develop control of their bodies. They are beginning to develop an understanding of the need for personal hygiene through regular hand washing before and after using toilet and before mealtimes. Children benefit from regular nutritious drinks and good variety of snacks which includes a variety of fruit and healthy home cooked meals. Information is regularly shared and discussed with parents to ensure that each child's individual dietary needs and personal preferences are respected. Children are cared for in a warm, clean environment. They are well cared for if they have an accident or become ill, although signed parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is in place. There are effective procedures in

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Helping children to be healthy

place to protect the children from illness and infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a safe environment where all risks have been identified and minimised. The children are encouraged to develop a very good awareness of safety issues through every day activities within the home and whilst on outings. The childminder effectively explains safe practices with the children. Children are supervised effectively, for example, when playing outside or going upstairs to the bathroom. There is a very good range of equipment in place which children are able to use safely due to the childminder's vigilance and the procedures she has implemented to regularly check toys and equipment. Children are encouraged to self select activities from a range of good quality, age appropriate toys and resources. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises the use of the toys to make sure they are safe and age appropriate. Potential risks to them are identified and minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All fire equipment is in place and regularly checked. Detailed evacuation procedures which clearly show different emergency exits are displayed for both children and parents to see, which have been practised with the children. Therefore children are developing a good awareness of how to keep safe within the home and when to vacate in an emergency. The premises are secure and there are effective procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children.

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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 Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded due to the childminder's very good knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and her awareness of local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and interact positively both with the childminder and their peers. They are confident, learning through daily experiences and the childminder stimulates their interest and learning by asking simple questions to help them think and by offering constant praise and encouragement. They are developing independence by choosing activities they wish to participate in and the childminder takes time to find out each child's interests by talking to parents and through discussion with the children. The childminder's interaction is very good and she listens carefully, responding well to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. Children are encouraged to be confident, making positive relationships and learn about what is right and wrong. Children benefit from a range of age appropriate, interesting and stimulating activities to help them learn which includes regular outings, structured play activities, access to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

good range of age appropriate resources, art and crafts. The childminder's sound knowledge of children's development ensures that children's individual needs and routines are well met and their enjoyment and learning is fostered and encouraged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Regular discussions with parents ensure that their individual needs are recognised and met very well. Children understand the need to share toys, enjoy playing together and offer each other help and support. They are developing an awareness of different cultures through regular discussions with the childminder, although their access to resources which portray positive images of diversity is limited. Children are beginning to understand the need for simple rules such as sharing toys and respond positively to the childminder's methods of behaviour management. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes and information is shared with parents on a regular basis. All relevant information such as daily routines, qualifications and policies relating to the childminding practice are available for parents to see in a portfolio.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s needs are met well through the good organisation of space and resources. Policies and procedures are thorough ensuring children’s care is consistent, in the

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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 organised daily routine. The care, welfare and development of the children are positively promoted through detailed records, policies and procedures, and the regular sharing of information with parents keeps them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to the continuity of the children’s care and the confidence to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Comprehensive planning systems are monitored and are adapted to keep children safe and enable them make good progress in all areas of their development. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children in the childminder's care;

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has increased resources that promote positive images of people of differing cultures , children's knowledge of the wider world is now extended. She has also implemented written consent forms signed by parents for minded children to receive emergency treatment. increasing children's well being.

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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 children have access to resources that positively reflect images of gender and disability • ensure that children have access to resources that positively reflect images of gender and disability.

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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:

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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 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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