Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 208377 Inspection date 01 June 2005 Inspector Jane Elizabeth Roberts

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been a registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged three years and nine years. They live in a suburb of Telford, close to local shops and schools. The ground floor is used for childminding. There is a playroom, lounge, conservatory and direct access to the kitchen with dining area, hall and bathroom. There is a fenced garden area at the rear of the property used by the children under supervision. The family have a pet dog, two budgerigars and a guinea pig.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is a member of the childcare network and receives support from the local authority. She is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. All children are involved in a wide range of activities which are appropriate to their ages and contribute to their good health. Each day there are sufficiently challenging outdoor and indoor activities to help them become aware of the changes to their bodies, such as older children using the well guarded trampoline in the garden and putting on a dancing 'show' for the younger children. They regularly enjoy playing in the garden and visits to the local park. Younger children visit a toddler group to extend their physical play. Children benefit from a warm, clean home where they follow appropriate hygiene and care routines. Children understand simple hygiene practices such as washing their hands before lunch or after playing outdoors. Babies hygiene routines are addressed and their individual needs met well. Details of their routines are accurately recorded in a daily diary and shared with parents. Children's health is promoted through

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Helping children to be healthy

sharing information with parents about their individual needs regularly. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet, for example they eat nutritious snacks such as cut up fruit and vegetables provided by the childminder. Parents provide packed lunches and children enjoy socialising at lunch time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well organised, welcoming home which is arranged to meet their physical needs. Younger children and babies' individual sleeping arrangements are suitably met and babies are monitored whilst sleeping in their cot. The play room is easily accessed and the range of toys and activities are varied, in good condition and conveniently displayed on low shelving and in toy boxes. Children's safety is a high priority and risks are minimised, for example equipment is regularly checked. Children's awareness of safety issues is continuously developed through everyday activities, for example the childminder talks to the children about how to cross the road safely. Children's safety is promoted through well maintained records and documentation which are used effectively such as, having the current documentation for the use of a vehicle available and a current first aid certificate. The childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has a secure understanding of child protection procedures and has produced additional information for parents about the safety of the children.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are confident in the setting. They feel secure and comfortable because there are familiar and interesting toys and activities waiting for them. Older children know the routine and independently select from a broad range of activities and games which are easily accessible in the play room. They enjoy using the toys and play equipment in the garden after a day at school. The older children express their imagination through interesting play props and imaginative play resources. Babies and under 3-year-olds benefit from the childminder taking time to get to know them. However, the planning of their development would be enhanced through the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Older children enjoy expressing themselves through song and dance, they explained their favourite song was the ‘Crazy Frog’. They also expressed their enthusiasm for visiting places of interest in the school holidays such as the Ironbridge museum and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

using the craft materials to make such things as mobiles and mosaics. All children have confidence to try new skills because the childminder works closely with the parents, this provides them with consistency of care and routine. Younger children are beginning to understand simple routines, for example, putting away toys before getting others out.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to provide them with opportunities to explore the world around them and how other people live through a varied range activities. Resources reflect other cultures and social situations which promote children's increasing awareness of diversity and understanding of others. All children enjoy a balance of activities such as quiet moments, one to one interaction and forming friendships and group activities. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are understood and they follow daily routines which are discussed with their parents. They play harmoniously together and are encouraged to take turns and share. Children behave well and they know the house rules, such as taking their shoes off indoors or helping tidy away toys. Children benefit from the proactive view of the childminder for the inclusion of all children and her ability to adapt to the child's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides parents with additional worthwhile written information about her practice. She shares daily diaries with parents which inform them about their child's routine and activities; there are also regular written reports for older children. The childminder takes time to have daily informal discussion with parents about their children's individual needs.

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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 The organisation is good. Children feel at home and are at ease in a well-organised environment. This means they are becoming confident to extend their play and learning. The childminder maintains all records and agreements with parents to meet requirements. There is also a comprehensive range of policies and procedures, including information for parents which contributes to the children's welfare, care and development. However, not all written information reflects the current practice or is sufficiently well organised. Verbal exchanges of information are common-place with parents. The childminder has enthusiastically embarked on further training to benefit the children and enhance the activities and their individual needs. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended the following: develop opportunities for children to extend their learning through exploration and investigation of mathematical ideas. This has been addressed and children benefit from taking part in cooking activities which includes weighing ingredients, mixing and measuring. All children enjoy junk model making where they have to estimate length and width and join things together. They enjoy growing flowers and measure who has the tallest. Pre-school children use numbers in songs they sing and stories they read. There is a wide variety of games using numbers and older children enjoy playing these with the younger children after school.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been one complaint raised since the last inspection. The complaint was raised about methods of behaviour management used and how unwanted behaviour is agreed by parents/carers. This relates to National Standard 11 Behaviour, and National Standard 12 working in partnership with parents and carers. Ofsted asked the provider to provide an explanation of how partnerships with parents and carers are developed and strategies for correcting unwanted behaviour in children is agreed. Particularly when sharing responsibility of the care of a child with other professional child carers. The provider reported back within the given timescales giving details of how communications with parents were agreed and how communications with other childcare professionals were addressed. The response was reviewed and has addressed all the concerns. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to develop the planning of play and activities for children under 3-years-old by using a framework such as 'Birth to three matters' • continue the reviewing and development of the written polices and procedures, including those provided for parents.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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