Salmon Teresa Mary

Inspection report for early years provision

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205073 Unique Reference Number 04 December 2007 Inspection date Donna Stevens 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 1982. She lives with her husband in a house in Kidderminster. The children use the conservatory as a playroom where they spend most of their time. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance

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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 six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She regularly attends local toddler groups and meets with other childminders in the area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an active member of both the county and local childminding groups.

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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's health is well promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to encourage children to learn about basic hygiene and keeping themselves healthy. They learn how to wash their hands properly after having their nappies changed, before and after mealtimes and after playing outside. The childminder ensures that children are not at risk from the spread of infection by keeping the premises and equipment clean and putting procedures in place that ensure high levels of hygiene, for example children in nappies all have their own change mats and children use individual hand towels when washing their hands. There are good procedures in place if children become unwell, have an accident or need to be given medication. However not all the children have written permission from their parents to obtain emergency medical treatment and this could lead to a delay in children receiving appropriate care in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating and gives a high priority to ensuring that children enjoy wholesome and nutritious snacks and meals. Children bring a packed lunch from home, allowing parents to cater for children's individual likes and dislikes, varying appetites and any allergies or particular dietary needs. The childminder encourages children to eat healthy foods first and passes on information that she obtains about nutrition and healthy eating on to parents. Drinks are available at all times and the childminder provides the children with mid morning and afterschool snacks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children get daily opportunities for physical exercise and fresh air as they walk to and from school each day. They visit local parks and enjoy playing in the garden using ride on toys, a slide and playing ball games. They regularly visit local soft play facilities and at home enjoy dancing and moving to music. The childminder ensures that children have plenty of opportunities to develop their fine motor skills as they learn to use scissors, different sizes of pencils and pens and tools for materials such as play dough. These opportunities allow them to make good physical progress.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe as the childminder has a good awareness of health and safety and all reasonable steps are taken to minimise risks. Children are cared for in a clean, well-maintained, safe and child friendly home. The childminder has completed written risk assessments and regularly updates these to ensure that the environment remains safe for children to play in. Toys and equipment are checked and cleaned as they are used to ensure that children can play safely and independently with a good range of resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well supervised both inside and outside. The conservatory, which is used solely as a playroom, enables children to fully expand their play whilst being closely observed by the childminder. The children have regular opportunities to learn about their own personal safety as they walk to school each day and learn how to cross the road, and how to walk safely on the pavement. Older children have drawn up a fire notice detailing the fire evacuation plan and all children take part in regular drills which are recorded. In the home children are encouraged to be safe by picking up toys when they have finished playing with them, not running around or climbing on furniture.

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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 Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection, regularly attends training and is fully aware of the types of abuse and signs to look for and understands the importance of recording any concerns and maintaining professional confidentiality. There is a written child protection policy that is in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines and is available to share with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are making excellent developmental progress as they take part in an extensive range of high quality activities during their time with the childminder. They are very confident in the setting and in their relationships with the childminder. There is continuous positive interaction between them and children regularly approach the childminder to sit on her lap and have a cuddle and she in turn sits on the floor with them, joining in their play, talking and laughing with them. She talks to them constantly, encouraging their responses and helping to develop young children's language by encouraging repetition and responding to them so that they begin to understand how to have conversations. Children take part in an extensive range of play opportunities which extend their creativity and imagination. They enjoy arts and crafts, role-play, baking and listening to music and singing. These opportunities are extended outside

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the home through regular visits to local toddler and childminder groups where children have the opportunity to socialise with other children of their own age and join in with group activities. They attend weekly story time sessions at the local library where they also help to choose books to bring back to the childminder's home and share with her. During the school holidays they regularly visit local parks and go for picnics.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals and they are encouraged to develop a positive attitude to others and gain an understanding about the wider world and community through access to a good range of interesting play resources and activities that allow children to find out about other ways of life. The childminder sponsors a child in Africa through a scheme run by another local childminder and this allows children to learn on a personal level about cultural and lifestyle differences. Children's individual needs are very well met and the childminder has a positive view on the inclusion of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are encouraged to learn to share, take turns and cooperate in their play and receive praise and encouragement when they do so. The childminder changes her tone of voice if she feels children are behaving inappropriately and follows this up with careful explanations about why certain behaviour is inappropriate and the possible consequences of their actions. This helps children to learn from a young age right from wrong, to be tolerant of others and have respect for each other and the toys and equipment they use.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is very good. Children benefit from the close communication between their parents and the childminder. Time is taken at the beginning and end of each day to share information verbally about how children have spent their time and activities they have enjoyed. The childminder provides parents with lots of written information about her service including a prospectus and copies of policies and procedures. She also provides them with extra information that she gains while on courses such as information on healthy eating

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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 or childhood illnesses. There is a parents notice board where important information, such as her registration certificate and details of how to contact Ofsted are displayed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good care and are making good developmental progress because the childminder is well qualified and experienced, and keeps up-to-date with current practice by regularly attending training and reading publications. The childminder is well organised and plans days so that children are able to enjoy a variety of activities both in and out of the home. The play space is well laid out to ensure children have plenty of room to play and can access toys independently. Children receive a high level of support and individual attention.

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Organisation

Children's individual care, welfare and learning needs are met through the supporting documentation kept. Most required records are kept up-to-date, confidentially stored and are available to share with parents. The childminder needs to ensure that siblings are recorded individually in the register to ensure that in the event of an emergency it is clear how many children are present. There is an extensive range of policies and procedures that reflect the good standards of care given and are available to share with parents. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Satisfactory improvement has been made since the last inspection. The childminder was asked to obtain permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment for children and this is in place for most children. The register needed to contain children's full names and now does.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standard two: Organisation. This involved an allegation made that the childminder was caring for more children than she was registered for. A visit from an inspector confirmed this, and the childminder was issued with a formal warning letter stating that she must only mind the number of children she is registered for. Ofsted was satisfied that the childminder would do this, therefore meeting the National standards. The childminder remained qualified for registration.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • ensure that parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment is in place for all children • ensure that children are recorded individually in the register.

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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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