Edge Carolyn Emma

Inspection report for early years provision

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223736 Unique Reference Number 31 August 2007 Inspection date Kathryn Mary Harding 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five years and three children over five years. The childminder can access local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder provides freshly prepared, healthy and nutritious snacks and meals such as fruit, oatcakes, meat and vegetables. She takes account of the wishes of parents and the

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Helping children to be healthy

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 choices to meet their dietary requirements and has menus available displaying a variety of balanced meals and snacks. Children are involved in helping to prepare snacks and meals and learn to live healthily as they are only offered healthy foods to eat and plenty of drinks and are encouraged to take lots of exercise. They are offered regular drinks such as milk or water so that they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are cared for in a warm, clean setting where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene and personal care through the daily routines. They are encouraged to wash hands before eating and after using tissues but use a communal towel to dry hands, so posing a possible risk of cross-infection. Good procedures are in place to record administration of medication and to protect children from the sun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. There are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example, a climbing frame, swings, slides and sit and ride toys. Children take part in a range of activities such as craft actvities and construction sets to help develop their fine control skills. Regular walks and visits to play parks help improve children's physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment which is warm, bright and where there is plenty of space for them to play in. The rooms are child-friendly and made more welcoming by children's pictures, photographs and posters being displayed. In order to help keep children safe the childminder checks and cleans the rooms prior to the children arriving. Safety precautions such as socket covers and cupboard locks are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to freely and independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and resources, which meet safety standards and are regularly checked and cleaned. They are encouraged to keep themselves safe as they have visited the fire station and had a visit from the police department during National Childminding week. The childminder has also had a visit from the fire department and children practise fire drills in order to have an understanding of the evacuation procedure and keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection matters and has a child protection policy outlining the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern, so children's welfare is safeguarded. She has attended a child protection workshop and has relevant information to hand, if she needs to pass on any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children engage in a very wide range of activities which promote their overall development very well, such as exciting creative activities and cooking. The childminder ensures that children have good opportunities to visit different places during the school holidays as they go to Cosford Air Museum and country parks. The childminder has a written plan of actvities that the children help draw and ensures that they are freely able to choose what they want to play with, so encouraging their independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy, confident and interested to learn as they chat with each other as they play in the coloured sand. The childminder supports the children very well in their play as she helps

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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 them get started on the computer as they ask for her assistance. They freely chat about what they found outside the other day and what colour they would like to paint their stone. Older children confidently help the little ones as they struggle to take the top off the paint. When they decide they want to make pizzas she encourages them to stir all the ingredients together and put their own topping on. As they sit down at the table she encourages them to count how many children are there, how many plates and cups are needed, so encouraging their early mathematical skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has the 'Birth to three matters' framework and adapts activities such as making clay shell pictures, so all children can take part. Observations are undertaken and recorded on the children in order to plan for their development and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has an equal opportunities policy and values and respects each child as an individual. Their awareness of the wider world is extended as the childminder has a range of activities to positively reflect diversity. The children look at different festivals and when looking at Diwali, made clay Diva lamps.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are no children currently attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, the childminder has a good understanding of the importance of working in close partnership with parents and outside agencies and ensuring inclusion for all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. The childminder has clear strategies in place to deal with unwanted behaviour. Their understanding of right and wrong is increased as they are given explanations why their behaviour is not acceptable and younger children are distracted. They are encouraged to share the toys and resources. Lots of praise and encouragement is used with the children, so promoting their self-esteem and self-confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is very good as they all work together to ensure continuity of care. Parents are kept well-informed as they are given a verbal account of their child's day, what they have been doing and where they are planning on going. Younger children have daily diaries which contain details of the child's day and photographs of the actvities the children have been involved in. Newsletters are also given to parents to ensure they are kept well-informed about the forthcoming events. This ensures consistency of care. A procedure for recording complaints is available and parents are made aware of this.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has well-established procedures for sharing information with parents on a daily basis. She ensures that they understand and have copies of all her policies, which underpin the service she provides. The certificate of registration is currently displayed so parents are fully aware of the conditions of registration. Confidentiality is maintained as all paperwork is stored securely.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a high regard for children's well-being and offers them a very good level of support. She is keen to enhance her practice and has attended training courses and workshops to improve outcomes for children. She has gained a NVQ level 3 qualification

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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 in Early Years Care and Education. The children are very at home in the child-friendly environment and are confident to initiate their own play and learning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that pets' feed bowls are inaccessible to children and obtain written parental permission before administering medication to children. There are now no bowls present and medication records are appropriately maintained.

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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. 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): • make sure hand washing and drying facilities are suitable.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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