Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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506599 Unique Reference Number 24 September 2007 Inspection date Dianne Andrews 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 has been childminding for approximately 24 years. She lives with her husband in a semi-detached, country property, situated on the outskirts of a village in North Shropshire. Most of the downstairs rooms are used on a daily basis when providing a childminding service, these include, playroom, kitchen, lounge and cloakroom. There is a large, enclosed outdoor play area available. The property is within walking distance of the village amenities, schools and pre-schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder works with an approved assistant to provide care for up to eight children under the age of eight years. She is presently caring for 11 children on a part-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, well maintained and clean home. Their health is promoted well as the childminder encourages them to begin to take responsibility for meeting their own

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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 health and personal needs. They develop self-care skills through effective hygiene procedures such as appropriate hand washing and the use of individual hand towels. Toys and equipment are kept clean and in good condition to further ensure that children's health is protected. However, the nappy changing procedures are not wholly suitable to guard against infection and promote the youngest children's good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children of all ages are able to eat, rest and play to suit their individual needs, because the childminder takes account of their home routines. She requests information from parents on their children's dietary requirements or allergies to ensure their dietary needs are met appropriately. She promotes healthy eating by asking parents to provide healthy packed lunches and by encouraging children to try new food tastes through planned activities. Children have access to frequent drinks to ensure they are not thirsty and snacks provided include healthy options such as raisins, fruit and breadsticks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Appropriate documentation is maintained regarding the administration of medication and recording of accidents, and a suitably stocked first aid box is available. However, the childminder has not obtained parental consent for emergency medical treatment or advise, so children may not receive prompt attention in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a range of indoor and outdoor activities to help develop their physical skills. They enjoy playing in the large garden with a range of equipment such as swingballs, a netball net, climbing frame, kickball and wheeled toys. They are encouraged to get plenty of fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from the local school and as they go for strolls along the country lanes around the childminder's home. This helps promote an active lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle quickly in the welcoming and family-friendly environment. They are able to self-select from a wide selection of good quality play equipment and resources stored in the playroom cupboards which are appropriate for children's age and stage of development, providing well for their play preferences and needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are constantly supervised and taught about safety matters as part of their everyday activities. This includes beginning to learn about road safety when out walking and the regular practising of the emergency evacuation plan. The childminder checks the rooms each day before children arrive to help minimise risks; she ensures that age-appropriate safety precautions are in place such as electrical socket covers and child locks on low-level kitchen cupboards. However, the water feature placed in the area that children pass on their way into the play area, has gathered standing water and the cloakroom door cannot be opened from the outside if locked. These are a potential risk to children's safety and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has attended training to ensure she understands her role in child protection and is aware of the procedures to follow should a concern arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are motivated and interested in what they see and do because the childminder provides a good range of activities and learning opportunities based upon her knowledge of the individual

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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 children in her care. They are happy and well-settled and have comfortable relationships with the childminder who is sensitive and caring towards them. Children's confidence and self-esteem are promoted effectively because the childminder enthusiastically joins in with their play and responds to their interests; they particularly enjoy showing their 'show and tell' items, which they bring from home to share with the childminder and others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children move freely around the available space and independently select from a suitable range of resources to enable them to develop their own play and learning. They gain a sense of pride in their own achievements as they view their creative work which is displayed on the wall in an attractive manner for all to see.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to play comfortably in each other's company, learning to take one another's needs into account as they share, take turns and be kind to one another. The childminder has developed effective behaviour management practices to suit the developmental stage of children attending. She offers appropriate support and praise to promote positive behaviour and build their self-esteem and enjoyment. There is a behaviour management statement which is clear in sharing the effective strategies adopted by the childminder to correct unacceptable behaviour and in encouraging children to manage their feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder helps them to learn about the society in which they live through her own positive attitudes and through the introduction of some resources such as books and dolls which positively promote diversity. They learn about their immediate environment as they go for walks in the locality and make use of the village facilities. Children's disabilities or learning difficulties are recognised and met sensitively. Their individual needs are discussed with parents in detail to ensure that the childminder meets their needs accurately and consistently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided regular verbal feedback and the childminder shares her observations of how children are progressing and developing, this helps to involve parents in their children's learning and to forge a strong link between home and the care provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home appropriately to provide a welcoming and child-friendly environment where children take part in a range of activities to support their care, learning and play. She works with an assistant to provide effective and suitable support for children in her care and attends additional training to support her registration and develop good practice. She is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder generally follows mainly effective procedures to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Most documentation is in place to promote children's well-being although the daily register is not always accurately completed. Most records are clear, easily accessible and stored securely. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to update her training on first aid for infants and young children and to improve the way in which medication records were maintained. An approved first-aid course has been attended and medication records are completed in line with regulations to promote the safety and well-being of children in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to develop opportunities for children to access a range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity. She has introduced some toys which appropriately promote diversity in order to help children learn about how others live and the wider world.

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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 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 that all procedures promote the good health of children and prevent the spread of infection; this refers to the nappy changing routine • obtain written parental consent to enable the seeking of any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice • take steps to promote children's safety; this refers to the water feature in the outdoor area and the lock on the cloakroom door.

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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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