Doyle, Carol

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY285335 Inspection date 23 August 2005 Inspector Sarah Barnsley

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children, aged seven and four in a house in Bentley Heath near Solihull. Local amenities and bus routes are within walking distance. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding. This consists of conservatory, kitchen and dining room and toilet facilities. The lounge is currently not being used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There were no children present at the time of inspection. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently

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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 minding two children under five before and after school. The childminder takes children to local schools and attends the local library. The family has a cat. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates how she contributes to children’s health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help children develop control of their bodies, for example playing in the garden in the tent and tunnel and riding on wheeled toys. Garden games and regular visits to local parks and playgrounds improve children’s physical skills. They become increasingly aware of the way activity affects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest. Her sufficient understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives them confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where the childminder promotes the importance of effective hygiene and personal care for example, why they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet to reduces the risk of cross

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Helping children to be healthy

contamination. Posters are displayed in the bathroom to remind the children to wash their hands regularly. The childminder confirms how children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They can help themselves to drinking water and a range of diluted juices throughout the day. The childminder takes into account the wishes of parents and the children’s choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks, such as sandwiches and a cooked dinner if required. A selection of fruit is displayed on the table attractively, enabling the children to select and try different combinations. This would appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder identifies how she minimises risks for children in the home. This means children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives acceptable priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home, although there is no written fire procedure and this is not practised. The childminder promotes children's safety by discussing and practising the green cross code and stranger danger whilst out with the children. The childminder demonstrates through discussion, how children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder safeguards and promotes children’s welfare as she

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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 has most of the required procedures and documents in place. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures, although there is no parental permission for transport.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to settle well, at the childminder's house. They have adequate opportunities to relate with each other and socialise with other children through attendance at local nursery, school and trips to the local library for story sessions and the park. Children can become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities, which appeal to all. Children have sufficient opportunity to listen and respond to stories, songs and creative activities such as dressing up, face painting, musical instruments and drawing. The childminder encourages the development of the children's senses, by making cakes with them and allowing them to try different combinations of food at lunch time. She ensures all children spend their time purposefully. She uses many day to day domestic routines such as helping to set the table for lunch, tidying away toys and activities to provide a generally sufficient range of learning opportunities. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

can engage in make-believe play by using a pretend vacuum and sweeper inside and a wheelbarrow and lawn mower outside.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides an adequate range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, dolls and books and celebrating festivals and celebrations. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets the children’s needs adequately as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents although, there is no written behaviour statement. The childminder showed a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages. Children can make themselves at home, decide what to do, help themselves to drinks and independently visit the toilet. They have time to relax as well as be active. Children are looked after according to their parents' wishes and passwords are used

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Helping children make a positive contribution

for children collected by authorised adults. The childminder has devised a written complaints procedure and uses a communication book with partnership with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There were no children present during the inspection but evidence shows that the

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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 childminder provides satisfactory quality care overall. The organisation is generally effective, with a satisfactory daily routine followed. The children can feel at home and at ease in this organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively uses some policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares them regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities, although the register could be updated to include parents' signatures and some policies and procedures need to be developed. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration Ofsted have not received any complaints about this childminder.

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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): • devise a written fire procedure and ensure this is practised regulary • ensure parental permission for transport • devise a behaviour statement • ensure all documentation has the appropriate signatures.

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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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