Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY303904 Inspection date 26 September 2005 Inspector Margaret Webster

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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 satisfactory. 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 2005. She lives with her partner, one older child and three younger children aged 12 and 13 years and 15 months. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed outside play area. The childminder will take and collect the children from local schools. She attends the local toddler groups, takes the children to the local library and the local park. The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under the age of 8 years at any one time. There are 2 children currently on roll.

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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 has one rabbit. The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder takes steps to develop children’s understanding and awareness of good health and hygiene. She explains the importance of hand washing and provides encouragement and support. Children use good quality hand washing facilities before meals, after handling animals, after playing outside and at frequent intervals during the day. This enables the children to learn about the importance of preventing cross-infection. Children benefit from a clean, warm, comfortable and child friendly environment. Children are offered drinks regularly throughout the day. Allergies, dietary and cultural needs are respected and they are recorded. The parents can provide the food or she will cook meals for the children in her care. All the meals are nutritious and are sufficient in quantity. Children’s physical development is encouraged through access to a safe and secure outside play area. They are also taken to the local park where they can get physical

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Helping children to be healthy

exercise. There is a selection of toys and equipment for outside play, for example slide, swing, seesaw, scooters, and a sand pit. Children are developing awareness of a healthy lifestyle as they partake in good physical activities, and benefit from a healthy diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained environment. The maintained toys and safety equipment in place, means children can move around safely and freely to independently access available resources from tables, trays and boxes at child height. Safety issues are discussed with, and understood by, the older children. Children’s awareness of safety issues is developed through everyday activities within the home and during outings. However the fire blanket is not easily accessible in the kitchen, this is a danger to the children's safety. Road safety is discussed when they go for walks in the local community. The childminder supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

first aid certificate and has an understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder has a reasonable knowledge of child development. She will allow the children to choose what they want to do. There is a selection of books, construction toys, jigsaws, board games, dressing up clothes, dolls and prams, home corner and things for imaginative play. Children are interested in a suitable range of developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities. Language and mathematical thinking is promoted through songs, rhymes, counting everyday objects, introducing simple addition and subtraction, reading and story books. Children also learn by participating in day-to-day domestic routines, as well as from particular activities and resources provided, this ensures the children benefit from a range of experiences. For example, helping to set the table for lunch, tidying away toys and activities. The childminder listens and gives her attention when children communicate with her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The young child present was smiling and laughing with the childminder and happy to sit on her lap. She is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a limited knowledge of equality of opportunity and diversity. There is a lack of toys and equipment that reflect different cultures and religions. This limits the children's view and knowledge of other cultures and the wider world. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest such as the local park and walks in the local community. The childminder is uncertain about effective ways of managing children and their behaviour. This limits the amount of learning that takes place. Children’s individual needs are identified and met; the parents' requests are recorded and respected. The childminder works with the parents and, where necessary, other agencies to support individual children. Information is provided to parents about the setting's practice and service provided. Written agreements with parents are clear and detailed. Regular discussions take place with parents to exchange information,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discuss concerns and to highlight the child's progress. This enables the childminder and the parents to work together and help the children to learn and develop. There are good partnerships with parents. Parents are regularly informed of the childminding activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in this environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children's needs are met

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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 through generally effective organisation. Procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the child. All records and procedures are shared with the parents to keep them informed about the service and their child's activities. The registered person meets the required adult-child ratios. She organises space and resources to meet the children’s needs effectively. She keeps an up to date record of the children's attendance, recording the times of arrival and departure. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • become aware of strategies to deal with unacceptable behaviour. • provide a selection of toys and equipment that reflect diversity and equality of opportunity. • develop a knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity. • ensure that the fire blanket is easily accessible in the kitchen.

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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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