Childminder in Herefordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 223474 Inspection date 08 September 2005 Inspector Deborah Ball

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and one adult child, close to the centre of Hereford city. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for five children on a part-time basis. The family has a guinea pig as a pet. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned daily routines. They show a good understanding of the need to wash their hands before food, after toileting and outside play, and are well supported in learning to understand simple good health and hygiene practices such as how to wipe their own nose and why kitchen surfaces should be wiped before preparing lunch. Children's health and medication needs are well recorded and they turn readily to the childminder for support and comfort when minor accidents occur. Children have access to a spacious outside play area which is effectively used to enable them to run and play, developing their physical skills and imagination. The children involve the childminder in their play and enjoy her interaction as she helps them extend their play opportunities and provides suitable activities to enable them to develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet and are able to help themselves to drinks at all times throughout the day. They choose from a variety of well presented snacks, and learn about how food can help them to remain healthy as they join in with cooking activities. They enjoy sitting together at meal times and learn social skills and table manners as they help to lay the table, use appropriate cutlery and are encouraged to say please and thank you.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move safely and independently around the setting, which is clean and well maintained. The childminder has a high level of awareness of all risks to children's safety and has taken extensive precautions to keep the physical environment safe and secure. Children are actively learning to keep themselves safe through participation in safety routines such as fire evacuations and road crossing drills. Children enjoy free access to a wide range of safe toys and equipment, which are rigorously cleaned and maintained by the childminder. Children are encouraged to help maintain their environment with the childminder giving support and offering age appropriate explanations. Children benefit from opportunities to explore other environments, for example, the local park, and the childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place. Their protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the childminder's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

detailed knowledge of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provision is good. Children are involved in a broad range of challenging activities and experiences, which is helping them to make progress in all areas of development. They are given frequent opportunities to explore and investigate and are learning to make choices as they access toys and equipment freely and independently. Children benefit from regular learning and play opportunities outside the home, which further develop their social skills. Their language development is promoted throughout the day as they are given frequent opportunities to discuss, negotiate and respond to questions asked of them by the childminder. Their confidence in their language skills is enhanced by the childminder's positive response to their comments. Children benefit from the childminder's experience and sharing of good practice

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

through the National Childminding Association and local childminding group. The provision for younger children continues to be reviewed since the introduction of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder continues to access training and consider how this framework may impact on and help her develop this aspect of the childcare provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and enjoy a family atmosphere where the childminder values and respects their individuality and family background. All children are treated equally and have equal access to resources and activities. Children are able to develop their awareness of diversity through use of appropriate toys and materials. Good storage arrangements give children free choice of toys and resources, and children develop self-esteem and confidence as they make choices and decisions. Children learn right from wrong through careful explanation and a consistent approach. They beam with pride at receiving praise for learning new things, helping with tasks and sharing and co-operating together and respond positively to gentle reminders of house rules and safety issues. A close, informal relationship with parents contributes to children’s well-being and helps them understand the childminder's aims and practices. Daily discussions with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents help them contribute to children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the way the childminder organises her home and the activities and resources she provides. Her home is well equipped and carefully organised to allow children plenty of space to play and rest, while the daily routine allows children to develop independence, enjoy a variety of experiences and daily outside play.

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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 Children benefit from the childminder's experience and all required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place and regularly reviewed. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who are cared for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, recommendations were made with regard to obtaining written permission from parents before administering medication to children and for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Record keeping has been improved by ensuring all parents now give written permission for medication to be administered and for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, thereby ensuring children receive immediate treatment if needed. As a result children can now expect their best interests to be served should they become ill or have an accident.

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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): • continue to look at the Birth to three matters framework and consider how it will impact on the childcare provision.

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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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