Halliwell, Susan Jayne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 161704 Inspection date 15 August 2005 Inspector Susan, Esther Harvey

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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 registere in 1996. She lives with her partner and three grown up children in Chippenham Wilthsire. All areas of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four part-time children under five . The childminder is registered to care for one child overnight. The family have a dog and a hamster. The childminder attends the local toddler and childminder groups on a regular basis.

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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 are cared for in a clean home where they learn about good hygiene routines and personal care which contribute to their good health. For example, the childminder provides the children with individual towels. Children identify which towel is theirs with pride as they learn to recognise their name in the embroidered letters. Children staying overnight benefit from having their individual washing facilities and equipment. Children benefit from learning to keep clean in a practical fun way. An example of this is the childminder provides the children with individual bowls of soapy water on the child-size bench and table in the garden, so they can wash a selection of dolls with sponges and flannels. The children relish in the activity as they wash the dolls hair and dried them with clean brightly coloured towels as they learn about personal hygiene. Children learn about the effects of the sun while playing out of doors as they

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Helping children to be healthy

independently applied sun cream to arms, legs and face. Children develop full body control as they climb on the plastic slide and run around the garden with a dolls pram and pushchair. Frequent visits to the park and soft play activities enable children to understand the importance of regular exercise. Young children are becoming aware of their bodies and physical needs as they know when to ask for a drink in warm weather. The childminder has a first aid certificate which ensures that appropriate action will be taken for children if an accident should occur. However written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is not provided. Children are aware of the benefits of healthy food as they enjoy the range of fruit provided by the childminder at snack time. Children enthusiastically set the table at lunch time with personalised table mats enabling them to learn appropriate meal time routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children staying overnight benefit from healthy and nutritious meals in discussion with parents.

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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 home where all the risks have been identified and minimised. An example of this is a stairgate at the kitchen door and stairs prevent children having access to these areas. The childminder helps children to develop an understanding about keeping safe such as teaching them road safety and to “stop and listen”. The childminder has ensured that children are aware of the risk of fire and has practised the well documented procedure in order to help them feel safe should it be necessary to evacuate the premises. All the documents and required procedures are in place to ensure that children’s welfare is safe-guarded and promoted. Children’s welfare is enhanced through the childminders commitment to improve her knowledge regarding child protection

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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 reporting and recording procedures by attending a course. Children staying overnight benefit from the childminders understanding of safety procedures and working in partnership with parents. Children independently select from a good range of quality toys and equipment which meets safety standards. Toys and equipment are carefully chosen for the children by the childminder. This ensures that resources are appropriate for the age and range of the children in her care. An example of this is the colourful child size garden furniture which enables children to play comfortably while enjoying various activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and content and have an excellent relationship with the childminder. They thoroughly enjoy themselves as they actively engage in a range of activities both indoors and in the garden. For example; growing cress in a plastic egg cup where children were absorbed in decorating it with small brightly coloured butterfly and dragonfly shapes. Children enthusiastically take part in craft activities which extend their small hand and finger control. For example; they use scissors to cut out faces while building up an image of passengers sitting on a bus. The faces on the bus included their own. They concentrated fully on looking into a mirror and copying the colour of their hair and eyes from the reflection. The childminder provides children with opportunities to develop various skills in many areas. For example children work harmoniously together while decorating plastic egg cups. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

concentrated on wetting the cotton wool before adding the small seeds. Children learn to take responsibility for watering the cress seeds in order to make them grow. Children develop a sense of colour and number as the childminder takes every opportunity to count objects and identify colours. Children make choices about what they would like to do from the wide range of resources available to them. This includes use of imaginative toys which consists of a doll’s house and play kitchen, where children are able to act out domestic scenes like preparing meals with the play food. They relax in a home setting as they sing spontaneously during many of the activities. Young children benefit from lots of cuddles and reassurance. The childminder’s knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework is incorporated into the young children’s care, as they become skilful communicators and are able to concentrate and listen to what other children say. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children as she encourages their self-esteem through continuous praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individual by the childminder, she listens to them intently while they recall past events. Parents are well informed through verbal communication about the children’s daily routine. Parents are provided with a variety

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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 of other information about their children’s time and progress in the care of the childminder. This includes the use of photographs and samples of children’s art work displayed on the walls and in their individual files. This ensures that the needs of the children are secured with the range of shared information. Children are encouraged to gain self-assurance through the close relationship with the childminder. She has a consistent approach to managing behaviour enabling children to learn self-control in a positive way. Young children are learning to share and take turns and respecting each other as individuals in a comfortable environment. Young children begin to value their individuality and contributions of self and others, as they move freely between rooms, choose activities independently and help tidy

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Helping children make a positive contribution

away toys. The childminder introduces the children to the natural world as they plant seeds and take responsibility for watering them. A good selection of resources enables children to become aware of diversity. This includes books and a multicultural wall hanging of different figures designed and coloured in by the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Report. The children are welcomed into the family environment where the space provided gives them the opportunity to choose from a range of low level sited resource areas such as a book case and storage units. Children staying overnight benefit from a secure environment with appropriate space allocated to them. The childminder has a sound understanding of the extra information needed to care for children overnight. A majority of information is recorded appropriately. However, a detail of the arrival and departure time for all children is not accurately recorded. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. These are shared with parents who are kept well informed of their children’s activities and the service provided by the childminder. Overall the setting meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made improvements and acted upon recommendations from the last inspection. The childminder was asked to ensure all household members over 16 had been vetted. This has now been completed and documents confirming this are retained in a file. The childminder was also asked to increase knowledge of reporting procedures in the event of an allegation of abuse being made while the child was in her care. The childminder has attended a child protection course which has increased her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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Improvements 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 Children's welfare has been improved through the commitment of the childminder to increase her professional development and the vetting of adults in the home over the age of 16.

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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 a record of all children's arrival and departure is regularly maintained • ensure written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice in the future

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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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