Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

259046 Unique Reference Number 25 September 2007 Inspection date Kathryn Mary Harding Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and three children in a village in North Shropshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 two children under five years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a rabbit.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. 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 use individual

p.2

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 paper towels and talk about why it is important to wash their hands before eating food. Good procedures are in place to deal with sick children, so preventing the spread of infection.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides freshly prepared, healthy and nutritious snacks and such as fruit, crackers and cheese. She takes account of the wishes of parents and the 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 purchase and prepare snacks and meals and learn to live healthily as they talk about the benefits of healthy foods and are encouraged to take lots of exercise. They are able to help themselves to drinks during the day, so enabling them to deal with their own care needs. Parents are also given informative literature about healthy foods so promoting a healthy lifestyle.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy access to outdoor activities and can select from a wide range of toys to develop their large scale skills such as, balls, a climbing frame and trampoline. They frequently go for walks to the park and village to help to develop their physical skills. In addition, they have opportunities to do lots of creative actvities, threading and use pegs and boards so encouraging their fine manipulative skills well.

p.3

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. Children's pictures, photographs and posters are displayed on walls and cupboards, so making the home more welcoming and inviting to parents and children. The childminder uses a written daily check list to ensure everywhere is safe prior to the children arriving. Safety precautions such as socket covers and cupboard locks are in place. However, the fluorescent light does not have a diffuser cover and is a potential hazard to children.

p.3

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 talk about road safety outdoors and the dangers of running indoors. Fire safety is well promoted as the childminder and children practise fire drills.

p.3

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.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have an excellent relationship with the childminder and feel secure and valued. They are extremely confident and self-assured because of the excellent support and encouragement they receive from her. She is enthusiastic and committed and uses her wealth of experience to plan an extensive range of opportunities and activities. There are many opportunities for children to develop their language skills through sharing books and the use of open-ended questions. They become aware of their local environment as they plant and care for flowers, care for the rabbit and are encouraged to recycle items. The childminder ensures that children have good opportunities to develop social skills by taking them to toddler groups and the library to meet other childminded children.

p.3

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 Older children are involved in planning for the following week and as they return from sports day they decide to make their own medals on the computer and ensure everyone has one for taking part. The childminder has planning which meets the children's interests and needs extremely well. As a result, children are provided with activities which provide high levels of challenge to build confidence and self-esteem. The childminder carries out accurate observations which inform planning to ensure children are progressing well. These achievements, are recorded and are shared with parents. They have activities to allow for exploration and learning through play, such as baking, craft activities and role play and have photographs to record activities they have been involved in.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play a dynamic role in the setting as they make choices about what they want to do and the childminder plans activities around their interests and needs. They become engrossed in a vast range of exciting and motivating activities and are very happy, settled and relaxed in the company of the childminder. The childminder extends their thinking and learning by counting in everyday routines and talking about colours of different objects. As they read a story about a tractor they then find a tractor play dough cutter enabling children to make connections in their learning. They are highly motivated, eager and actively participate in and enjoy the activities and experiences offered to them, such as water play, singing and gardening.

p.4

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 Eid they make foods to taste and when looking at Diwali they make diva lamps and sweets. The childminder is a member of a multicultural resource centre so is able to borrow artefacts to encourage children's understanding of the wider world.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 the 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. Good manners are encouraged at snack time, so promoting consideration for others and children spontaneously thank the childminder for helping.

p.4

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. Older children are encouraged to tell parents what they have been doing. Younger children have daily diaries which contain details of the child's day and the childminder takes photographs so parents can see the activities the children have been involved in. This ensures consistency of care. A procedure for recording complaints is available and parents are made aware of this.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. 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 is currently studying for the NVQ level 3 qualification in Home Based Child Care. The children are at home in the well-organised, child-friendly environment and are confident to initiate their own play and learning.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has established procedures for sharing information with parents on a daily basis. She ensures that they understand and sign to acknowledge her policies. She also makes them aware of the procedure to follow if they wish to raise any concerns. The certificate of registration is displayed so parents are aware of the conditions of registration. Confidentiality is maintained as all paperwork is stored securely.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make the garden safe and update her knowledge and understanding of child protection guidelines and procedures. The childminder has made the garden safe and has attended child protection training and is booked onto the advanced level child protection workshop, so helping to safeguard children.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 the fluorescent light is made safe.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5