Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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223719 Unique Reference Number 07 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 satisfactory. 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 1995. She lives with her husband and three 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 four children under five years and two children over five years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two dogs and 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 satisfactory. The children are cared for in a warm, clean setting where they learn the importance of appropriate personal hygiene and personal care through the daily routines. The childminder will not accept an ill child and has good procedures in place if a child becomes ill, so preventing

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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 the spread of infection. The childminder has a medication record book but does not always record medication administered and has no specific written parental consent to oversee medication being administered. Therefore children's good health is not fully promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages children to make healthy food choices and has attended a playing with food course to help children enjoy eating healthily. Parents provide the food but when snacks are offered the childminder encourages them to eat fruit and talks about healthy food options. They pick the fruit from the garden so encouraging the children to have an awareness of where fruit comes from. Children are offered regular drinks such as sugar free juice and water so they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can access some outdoor toys such as balls and a swing. Regular opportunities for them to develop their physical skills and be in the fresh air are provided, as they go for daily walks to school and the park. A range of activities and resources are available indoors, to develop children's fine manipulative skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment which is warm and where there is adequate space for the children to play. Photographs and posters are displayed on the wall making the playroom more welcoming. In order to help keep children safe the childminder visually checks the rooms prior to the children arriving. Safety precautions such as cupboard locks and socket covers are in place. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe as they talk about road safety when on outings. The childminder uses her car to transport the children, but the car insurance document was unavailable for inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a range of good quality toys and resources, which meet safety standards and are regularly checked. The toys and resources are organised so children are encouraged to be independent and to make their own choices about what they want to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection matters and knows 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. The children are happy, confident and interested to learn. As they play with the animals the childminder encourages them to make animal noises. As they play with the cars, the childminder chatters to the children and cuddles younger children when they appear tired. The childminder makes learning fun, as they all put different hats on and pretend to be police people. She encourages them to recognise and name who is at her house today. Children engage in a wide range of activities which promote their overall development well, such as puzzles, books and construction sets.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Their confidence and self-esteem is promoted well as the childminder praises them for their efforts and gives them lots of encouragement and support. Younger children are encouraged to walk with support. Resources are easily accessible for the children, so they can choose what

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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 they want to play with, so encouraging their independence. The childminder has got the 'Birth to three matters' framework and adapts activities so younger children can take part. They sing nursery rhymes, read stories and look at colours and shapes as they play with they toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They have access to books, toys and artefacts that positively reflect diversity and they look at different festivals in order to gain an understanding of the wider world. The childminder has a sound understanding of the importance of working in close partnership with parents 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 such as distraction and encouraging the children to sit and think about their behaviour. They are encouraged from a young age to learn to share the toys and resources, so promoting consideration for each other. Children's understanding of right and wrong is increased as they are given reasons why the behaviour is not acceptable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met well as the childminder regularly talks with parents and tailors her service to suit each child. Relationships with parents are positive and the childminder keeps them well informed about how their child has been, what they have been doing and where they are planning on going. This ensures consistency of care. However, a procedure for recording complaints is not available so parents are not aware of this.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a sound regard for children's well-being and offers them a good level of support. She is keen to enhance her practice and has attended some workshops. She holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. The children are at home in the child-friendly, homely environment and are confident to initiate their own play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder has established procedures for sharing information with parents on a daily basis. Most of the required documentation is in place. The certificate of registration is displayed so parents are aware of the conditions of registration. Confidentiality is maintained as all paperwork is stored safely.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that a fire blanket is wall mounted: make sure that the stairs are inaccessible to young children: obtain parental permission for older children to access the rear garden without the childminder and for young children to use the baby walker and request written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The fire blanket is now mounted on the wall and stairs are gated so making them inaccessible to young children. The childminder has obtained written parental consent for older children to access the garden and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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 satisfactory. 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 appropriate administration of medication procedures are in place • ensure all car documentation is available for inspection • develop further the procedure for recording complaints.

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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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