Mawby Deborah

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 225918 Inspection date 23 August 2005 Inspector Patricia Bowler

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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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 13 years in Ratby, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor, with exception of the conservatory, and one bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five years, one of whom attends full time and seven children over five years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local carer and

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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 toddler group. The family has two pet cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. .

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy environment where they receive good levels of care through consistent routines. Thorough hygiene practices prevent the spread of infection and children are developing a good understanding of personal hygiene. They know to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Clear documentation is recorded with parents to ensure children's health and dietary needs are met. However, there is no written permission to seek any emergency medical advice or treatment. Clear procedures ensure that any accidents children have are managed appropriately as the childminder has knowledge of first aid, available first aid equipment and clear recording systems. Children access a fully enclosed garden for outside play where they experience resources to enhance a range of skills. For example, younger children develop confidence and control of their bodies as they

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Helping children to be healthy

learn to pedal wheeled toys. Planned visits to local recreational facilities provide additional opportunities for children to run freely and enhance their climbing skills on park equipment. Food is hygienically prepared and children enjoy the meals provided. A varied range of foods are provided to encourage children to develop healthy eating habits. They enjoy a variety of healthy snacks between meals including fresh fruit. Drinks are readily accessible for children to have when they require. Good arrangements ensure children can rest and sleep peacefully to ensure their emotional well-being is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from vigilant procedures to provide a safe and secure environment. Effective arrangements ensure that all areas accessed by children are safe and good security measures ensure children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised. Appropriate safety equipment minimises any potential hazards and babies are kept safe with the use of harnesses in furniture and pushchairs to ensure they are securely strapped in. Good organisation of furniture allows space for children to move freely and facilitates active pay and relaxation. Age appropriate toys are suitably stored to enable older children to access independently without compromising the safety of younger children. Older children play with resources containing small parts at the table to ensure these do not pose a hazard to younger children. Children actively assist in tidying away before accessing others and are learning to keep

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

themselves and others safe by not leaving trip hazards. Appropriate fire safety equipment is available and a clear procedure for emergency evacuation is established. Older children know what to do as they have discussed and practised the procedure. Suitable arrangements are established to keep children safe on

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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 outings. Children develop good awareness of road safety as they walk to and from school. Arrangements ensure younger children are safe with the use of walking reins. Children are protected from harm because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. A very good range of toys and play resources are readily accessible to children. This provides them with opportunities to make active choices about their play and promote their natural curiosity to assist in their overall development. Good indoor and outdoor activities provide levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development and children are developing good skills in pedalling wheeled toys. They show interest in the resources and activities available and develop confidence and self-esteem especially through opportunities to instigate and develop their own play opportunities. Children are developing their imaginative play with good resources to promote role play. Older children show care and concern for younger children. For example, when sitting together to watch a television programme about wild life older children patiently answered questions posed by younger children about the content

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of the programme. Good interaction and verbal encouragement from the childminder increases children's awareness of the needs of others. Communication skills are enhanced by her sensitive verbal interaction. Children express their thoughts and feelings and talk confidently in peer group situations. They listen to each other, learning to respect the views of others. They ask questions confidently and listen intently to the answers given. Children are developing good social interaction and have warm relationships with known adults. They respond positively to the childminder's use of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Effective relationships with parents ensure the childminder knows the children well. They receive care appropriate to their needs. Systems are established to ensure their individual needs are discussed. Children receive warm cuddles and affection, and build trusting relationships with the childminder contributing to their sense of belonging. Sensitive arrangements ensure they are fully included in all aspects within the home. Children make active decisions about their play. They develop an awareness of the needs of others as they help younger children and each other. They play confidently alone and socially and ask for appropriate help if required. Children are learning about the community in which they live as they engage in local walks and various activities. A range of appropriate play resources provide opportunities for them to develop an awareness of other cultures, disability and the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

wider world in which they live. Children's behaviour is very good. They listen intently to each other, and the childminder, and are able to negotiate with each other to resolve some issues. They respond positively to the childminder's use of praise and encouragement to promote positive behaviour.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of children. Time and opportunities are used very effectively in order to provide a high standard of care for the differing ages of the children attending. Very good arrangements for younger and older children ensure that excellent play opportunities do not compromise the care of children and they experience a wide range of activities. Arrangements promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Space and resources are organised successfully, and spontaneous and well planned activities provide children with interesting experiences to broaden their overall development. Children are stimulated and play effectively independently and with others. Comprehensive documentation is established to ensure children's specific

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Organisation

needs are fully recorded. A very good parent information pack ensures they are fully informed of the service provided and clear written and verbal communication ensures they are kept fully informed about their child's care. Secure arrangements ensure confidentiality is maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved the range of resources to include positive images of different cultures and disability. These have provided children with opportunities to increase their knowledge and awareness of the wider world in which they live. Safety has been improved with appropriate measures to make the stairs safe and a range of large flower pots serve to prevent children from accessing the lower lawn area by any other way than the steps to ensure they can play safely outside. A new window in the garage overlooking the patio ensures children are not exposed to any hazards.

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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 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to improve the care of children under three years for example by using the Birth to three matters framework • ensure parents give written permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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