Townroe Rachel

Inspection report for early years provision

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252686 Unique Reference Number 03 December 2007 Inspection date Jasmin Myles-Wilson 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 has been registered since 2000 and lives with her partner and their two children aged three and five years. They live in a semi-detached house close to Mansfield town centre, Nottinghamshire. Local amenities and various schools are within a short walking distance. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom is used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden available.

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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. She drives to take and collect children from the local school. There are five children on roll, one child aged under two years, three children aged under five years and one child aged under eight years. The family do not have any pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local toddler group on a weekly 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. Good health and hygiene practices are promoted well through daily routines and practices. Children learn how to take care of their own personal needs, such as washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. The use of separate towels contributes to effectively protect children from the spread of infection. Sick or injured children receive good care as childminder has good written procedures in place and has the knowledge and confidence to deal with minor injuries. Although there has been no medication administered the childminder is certain about what to record and to obtain written parental consent. Children have a substantial amount of outdoor physical activities which exercises their whole body and at the same time they access fresh air. Opportunities to rest is according to children's need and choice encourages their sense of well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted well through the childminder's provision of such food. Children begin develop good awareness of which foods are healthy. For example, they know that carrot sticks and fruit are healthy but sweets are not. Children enjoy nutritious snacks and meals and they make comments such as 'I love raisins' when talking about food they like to eat. Young children develop good independent skills and learn the art of feeding themselves as they are given small portions of finger foods and suitable crockery. Drinks on offer to children are healthy such as water or milk and are given to them with their snacks and meals. Children ask for a drink at any time during the day which helps to keep them sufficiently hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The warm and welcoming environment encourages children to feel secure and settled in the childminder's home. Children move confidently and safely around areas designated to them and they treat it as their own home, for example, as soon as they enter the house they take off their coats and hang them up on hangers designed for them then get straight into doing activities. Young children explore their environment and begin to learn about safe boundaries. For example, when they stray from the area they should be in the childminder instructs them to return and they comply. Children have access a wide range of developmentally appropriate equipment and resources, and are supported to become independent by being able to safely reach toys from low boxes and drawers. Resources are regularly maintained and checked on a daily basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good written policies in place which highlight possible hazards to children. She takes positive action to effectively reduce risks to them. However, she does not practise the emergency evacuation procedure regularly, therefore, new children are not clear about what they should do in an emergency. Children begin to develop knowledge of their own safety through conversations with the childminder such as road safety and stranger danger. The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures, therefore, children are effectively safeguarded and their welfare is protected.

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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 childminder meets children's individual needs through having regular discussion with parents and making her own observation of the children. Children settle well and develop warm connections with each other and with the childminder. They playfully engage in activities together and enjoy the exchange of verbal and non-verbal communication such as facial expressions, listening and small chatter. Older children are competent in sharing their thoughts such as expressing how they miss members of their family, while younger children begin to develop the art of communicating as the childminder skilfully uses good techniques. For example, asking children simple open-ended questions, such as 'what is your name?'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to make a decision about what they want to do which builds up their confidence and independence. This, however, does not deter the childminder from being available to assist when needed or getting involved in their play. Children enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences that stimulate them and help them to develop their skills and knowledge, such as socialising with their peers at the local toddler group or visiting pets corner. However, there is not much thought given to enrich young children's play experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and have good opportunities to regularly visit places of interest to them. They develop an awareness of diversity in the wider world and their community through discussions and various activities such as stories or celebrating various religious festivals. The childminder is a positive role model, values individual children and teaches children how to behave in an acceptable manner. For example, when children throw stones she calmly explains to them that they should not throw stones as they may hurt someone. Children's behaviour is managed well and children respond well to strategies used.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children interact with the childminder and their confidence is boosted as they are encouraged to be independent and praised for the things they do. For example, as older children teach younger children how to put the toys away the childminder praises them for this act. Young children are developing a sense of who they are and are becoming self-assured. For example, young children bravely approach the inspector to engage in small chatter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good partnerships with parents are fostered and children benefit from this and settle easily. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents so they know about the service provided and information regarding their children is verbally exchanged on a daily basis. This ensures that children receive continuity of care and their individual needs are met well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from being in a suitably organised environment so that they feel settled and have enough room to move safely around the space. The childminder has enough experience to care for children and she ensures they are sufficiently supervised as she is aware of their safety and well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder understands that she needs all relevant documentation in place which gives protection to the children and herself. Documentation is kept confidential, are easily accessible

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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 to childminder and produced for inspection. The childminder has sufficient awareness of her responsibilities, such as informing Ofsted of any significant changes or events and is adequately aware of the retention of documentation.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder develops her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and that children have access to activities that promote anti-discriminatory practice and equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now has a good working knowledge of child protection issues and is aware of the procedure to follow in the event of suspected abuse, Therefore, children are safeguarded and their welfare protected. Children now have access to all resources available which display positive images of all aspects of diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

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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 complaint 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): • review the emergency evacuation plan to include regular practises with the children • enhance play experiences for younger children, for instance through the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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