Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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204643 Unique Reference Number 11 December 2007 Inspection date Sally Wride Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 1999. She lives with her husband and children aged 17, 12 and 10-years-old in a house in a village near Evesham. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs a local carer and toddler group and is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 are cared for in an environment that is warm and clean. Their understanding of good hygiene practice is developed as they use good quality hand washing resources and facilities at appropriate times, for example, before meals and snacks and after using the toilet. Good hygiene practices ensure that toys, equipment and kitchen areas are kept clean. Effective procedures are in place if children fall ill whilst in attendance in the childminder's care, and a well stocked first aid box is easily accessible. Children's rest and sleep times are carefully organised to meet their individual needs and preferences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of activities that contribute positively to their good health. They benefit from daily opportunities both inside and outdoors to be physically active. They play in the garden and use equipment such as bikes and stilts to develop and extend their physical control. They enjoy regular visits to local parks and playgrounds where they have the opportunity to use age-appropriate apparatus and enjoy occasional visits to local soft play centres. Children also benefit from going out for walks around the local community to experience the fresh air and changing seasons.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy eating meals provided by their parents. These are stored appropriately in the refrigerator prior to being offered to children. Children eat snacks of fresh fruit provided by the childminder each day. Drinks are always available to the children which ensures that they are well hydrated whilst in the childminder's care. Children's individual dietary needs and preferences are well-known by the childminder through consultation with parents. They are encouraged to use their table manners as they sit together around the table to enjoy mealtimes as a sociable occasion.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because the indoor environment is safe, secure and child-friendly. The childminder is proactive in identifying and minimising potential hazards and completes visual risk assessments throughout the day, which allows the children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children are interested and challenged by the resources available to them. They are able to freely choose from a wide range of toys, which promote all areas of learning and development. All toys are well maintained and are kept hygienic and clean.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded due to the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the known signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has a clear understanding of the action that should be taken in the event of a concern about a child in her care, which is in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures. The childminder does not however, keep a written record of children's existing injuries. Children are well supervised at all times. They have practised the fire drill and learn to keep themselves safe through gentle reminders and practising road safety rules as they go out for walks with the childminder.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are confident to initiate their own games and enjoy exploring their care environment. Their independence is developed well as they have easy access to their playthings and make decisions about what they would like to play with and how they would like to spend their time. They confidently seek the support of the childminder for comfort and cuddles. They benefit from the childminder's loving and caring approach to the care of the children and her interaction and involvement in activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a balanced and varied range of activities and games that support all areas of their learning and development. These are suitable to their ages and stages of development and are tailored to meet their individual needs, ensuring that all children are able to participate at their own level. Children enjoy role play, baking activities, arts and crafts and sensory play with play dough. They enjoy reading books, exploring music and musical instruments and playing with electronic toys. Children are provided with the opportunity to socialise with wider groups of children at the local carer and toddler group. They enjoy visits and trips out to local soft play centres, parks and playgrounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children's care needs are well met. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework as a reference guide and also for activity ideas. She talks to the children and asks them questions to encourage their thinking and early language skills. She introduces simple counting skills and supports them very well as they play. Children's individual needs are well met because the daily routine is tailored to meet their needs regarding sleep, mealtimes and nappy changing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected and valued as individuals. Their needs are well met and their individual likes and dislikes are well catered for. They have the opportunity to learn about the needs of others and are encouraged to acknowledge differences in an open and honest environment, supported by resources that promote positive images of diversity. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully supported. Their individual needs are well met because the childminder has a positive attitude to including all children and communicates effectively with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are rewarded with warm praise and encouragement for their positive behaviour. They enjoy good relationships with the childminder who involves herself and interacts with the children as they play to ensure that children share and play fairly with each other. Children's understanding of right from wrong is developed as they respond to gentle reminders to care for the environment, the resources and each other. Positive relationships have been formed with the parents. Their views and wishes are both sought and respected. Parents are well informed about the activities offered to the children and the progress that their child is making through daily exchanges of information. Parents are provided with some basic written policies and procedures at the start of their child's placement with the childminder. This includes the procedures that they should follow in the event of a complaint. The childminder has not

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Helping children make a positive contribution

however put in place a system to record such complaints.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable and stimulating environment and benefit from the childminder's childcare qualifications and experience. They benefit from the childminder's good organisation and commitment to providing a warm, caring and stimulating environment. She organises her home and practice to ensure that children are well cared for. They have plenty of room to play and rest. She provides a homely atmosphere, where a wide range of toys and equipment provides them with a variety of stimulating experiences.

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Organisation

The majority of the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and welfare are in place. However, no system is in place to record existing injuries that children may have or to record any complaints received. Records that are in place are well maintained and are regularly reviewed. Children's records are kept confidential and are suitably detailed. This ensures that the childminder is aware of children's individual needs, likes and dislikes and allows her to offer appropriate care to the children. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that all of the required records for the administration of medication are in place. Since then, the childminder has implemented a new medication recording system and ensures that any medication required by children is recorded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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): • keep a written record of children's existing injuries • implement a system for recording complaints.

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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 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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