Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY279719 Unique Reference Number 20 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children in a village in 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding six children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has no pets.

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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 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

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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 individual flannels and as children drop a piece of cutlery onto the floor they know not to re-use it and ask for another one. 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

Posters are displayed encouraging children to eat healthily and ensure they regularly clean their teeth. The childminder provides freshly prepared, healthy and nutritious snacks and meals such as fruit, pasta and vegetables. Children begin to understand which foods are good to eat as they grow runner beans, tomatoes and carrots and discuss how they benefit the body. They are involved in the buying of fresh produce as during the school holidays, they go weekly to the farm shop, learn how to handle different fruits and are able to taste different vegetables. They are involved in the preparation of snacks as they help to prepare the fruit. 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

Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. The childminder encourages outdoor play and lots of physical exercise such as playing on the climbing frame and the bikes. The children go for lots of walks to the fields and to the brook. Indoors there is a wealth of activities such as construction sets, threading and play dough to help develop their small scale 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 plenty of space for them to play in. The childminder has a large enclosed garden where they can access lots of physical activities. However, the goal posts are not secured into the ground, which is a potential hazard. The play room has lots of children's pictures, art work and posters displayed, making it more welcoming to all. In order to help keep children safe the childminder checks the rooms prior to the children arriving and regular written risk assessments are undertaken, particularly prior to going on a trip or if a new child starts. Safety precautions such as socket covers and cupboard locks are in place. However, the fluorescent light in the utility area is not covered with a diffuser, which is a potential hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and resources, which meet safety standards and are regularly checked. Toys are stored in labelled containers, so children can help themselves and be independent. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises their choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe as they talk about road safety when outside the home and a Green Cross Code poster is displayed. They also practise fire drills in order to have an understanding of the evacuation procedure and helps keep 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 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. Children are happy, confident and interested to learn as they chat with each other as they play with the animals on the floor. The childminder supports the children very well in their play and extends their learning as she asks open ended questions about where different animals live

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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 and which are descendents of dinosaurs. As they try and fix the tractor and trailer together the childminder finds some string to help the situation. As the children finish playing with the toys the childminder asks them to tidy up, so encouraging them to take responsibility for putting toys away.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During the school holidays the children have a written plan of interesting actvities that they can be involved in, such as making bread and visiting Park Hall Farm. Each child has their own scrap book containing all their own artwork. As they visit the recycling centre they learn about caring for their environment. In order to care for children's individual needs the childminder ensures that she spends some individual time with each child. As they approach her she spends time reading stories with them, showing them the pictures and talking about the book, so encouraging their interest in books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has the 'Birth to three matters' framework but is not presently using it as a resource within her daily practice. However, she has a good understanding of how young children learn and develop.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to choose from the range of toys regardless of gender. Their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others is extended as the childminder has a good range of activities and resources to positively reflect diversity. They have a world map displayed and regularly look at different festivals and do related activities, to encourage children's awareness that everyone is different. The childminder ensures that children are treated as individuals, included in all actvities and meets their specific needs effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour, as 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. The older children have written their own house rules, so they have consistent boundaries, so promoting consideration for each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good and the childminder keeps parents well informed about how their child has been, what they have been doing and what they have eaten. The childminder has daily diaries for children under five years, which contains photographs of actvities the children have been involved in on that day. 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 established procedures for sharing information with parents on a daily basis and a portfolio is available for parents to see detailing courses and workshops attended and childcare experience to date. She ensures that they understand and can view 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. All confidential paperwork is stored securely and regularly reviewed.

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Organisation

The childminder offers the children a very good level of support and demonstrates a high regard for children's well-being. She is keen to enhance her practice and has attended training courses

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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 and workshops to improve outcomes for children. She has gained NVQ level 2 and level 3 qualifications in Early Years Child Care and Education. The children are at home in the child-orientated environment and are confident and relaxed to initiate their own play and learning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to extend the range of toys and resources to reflect diversity and consistently record children's attendances. The childminder has obtained posters, books, puzzles and a world map to encourage children to be aware of the wider world. The register is now up to date with the times of children's arrival and departure recorded.

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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): • ensure the goal posts and fluorescent light are made safe.

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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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