Childminder in Herefordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299224 Inspection date 14 July 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and one child aged eighteen months in the market town of Ledbury in Herefordshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. Children are taken on walks and use the local play areas. The family has one cat.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a warm and homely environment where hygiene is given a high priority and their personal care needs are met very well. High levels of cleanliness are maintained throughout the home and young children are gently encouraged to wash their hands before food and after outside play. They are sensitively supported during nappy changing, with good hygiene still maintained while they kick and move on the changing mat. Children are kept comfortable and well cared for if they fall ill while in the childminder's care. They readily turn to her for comfort, support and cuddles. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's efficient medication and accident procedures; records are well maintained. Children develop positive attitudes to exercising their bodies through fun activities such as climbing and sliding on appropriate sized equipment. They play on large apparatus at the near-by public playground and they have regular opportunities to

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Helping children to be healthy

attend play sessions where physical development is fostered. Babies and toddlers are given plenty of space to move, roll, stretch and explore the things around them, and they experience and achieve pleasure and control as they learn to throw a ball, play with shape sorters and use simple musical instruments. Children's needs during rest and sleep times are carefully considered, with comforters and special toys kept close by so that children always feel emotionally secure. Children enjoy sitting together at meal times for packed lunches and nourishing snacks of fruit, biscuits and yogurts. Babies and toddlers are helped to feed themselves with appropriate cutlery and all children are encouraged to drink frequently throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move freely and safely around spacious rooms where they can sit or lay comfortably to play. Children enjoy free access to a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate toys and resources, 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 play safely due to the childminder's high level of awareness of all risks to children's safety and has taken extensive precautions to keep the physical environment safe and secure. Careful explanation helps children to become aware of how to keep themselves safe such as not running inside the house, and the childminder sensitively responds to toddlers attempts to climb on furniture. Children are protected from the harmful effects of the sun; parents are reminded to provide

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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 sun hats and sunscreen which the childminder regularly applies to ensure children do not get sunburnt. Children are well protected because the childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has undertaken appropriate training to secure a good understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. Parents have agreed child protection procedures with the childminder so they know what action she will take if she has any concerns about their children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive happy, eager and settle quickly. Children feel secure due to good settling-in procedures which ensure younger children's favourite toys are put out ready for them and children are encouraged to treat the childminder's home like it is their own. Children thrive due to the childminder’s daily routines which allow plenty of time for young children to be held, cuddled and played with. Children’s language development is promoted throughout the day as they are given frequent opportunities to learn to imitate sounds and words through playful interactions with the childminder, who stimulates their language skills through talking to them and introducing new words. Children’s care is enhanced as the childminder knows and understands children's individual needs and preferences over such things as sleep routines, favourite toys and comforters. As a result children develop close relationships and a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sense of trust. Children play happily together and with a wide range of stimulating resources that offer suitable challenge and help them learn and progress, for example, construction equipment, musical instruments and sound toys are placed within easy reach for toddlers. Young children gain confidence and want to learn new things, because the childminder provides a positive atmosphere where achievement and effort is both praised and valued. Children want to learn to climb and slide on outdoor apparatus because they know the childminder is always close by to help. Children learn to develop their pretend play because she joins-in, uses different voices and suggests what they might do next. Children enjoy looking at books because she involves them in the story, asks them what they see in the pictures and listens to what they say. This lets them know that they are important and valued. 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 (NCMA). The childminder is constantly looking at ways to further develop her practice and intends to expand her current knowledge and understanding of providing play and activities for the under threes by implementing the “Birth to three” framework.

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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

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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. They develop confidence and independence as they make choices and decisions about what to play with and benefit from being able to join-in with all activities. Children have access to a range of activities and resources which meet their individual needs. Suitable arrangements are made to ensure all children are included and the childminder understands that some children may have special needs and has thought carefully about how she might care for them. Children's self-esteem is promoted as they are praised frequently for effort and achievement. Their sense of security is promoted through consistency of care and positive behaviour management strategies. They enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder and show care and concern for one another. Toddlers are encouraged to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

play together, take turns and share, while the childminder talks and negotiates with older children, acknowledging their needs and helping them to understand the needs of others. Children’s sense of security is fostered through a strong partnership with parents, which promotes continuity of care and regular sharing of information. Parents receive written information about how she approaches specific issues such as equality of opportunity and behaviour, and daily discussions help them contribute to children's care. Children are secure and cared for consistently and according to their individual needs as a result of the childminder obtaining all the required information about children relating to health and care. Children benefit from the childminder actively seeking early information on children's interests and having developed methods for encouraging parents to share fully in what their children have been doing.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to confidently explore and investigate as a result of the creative use made of the available space. Their sense of security is fostered through effective adult support and a familiar daily routine. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to providing a warm, caring and stimulating environment. Children’s care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation which ensures children are always well cared for and have ample room to play and rest. Children are provided with a homely atmosphere, where a wide range of toys and equipment provides them with a variety of stimulating experiences. The children's welfare and care is effectively promoted through the range of carefully considered policies and procedures, which are well organised, confidentially maintained and shared with parents. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children in her care.

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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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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 further the range of activities offered to the younger children, for example by using the "Birth to three matters" framework.

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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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