Childminder, Out-of school day care in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 223790 Inspection date 09 September 2005 Inspector Kathryn Mary Harding

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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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and two school aged sons, in a small village in South Shropshire. The whole of the downstairs is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder can walk to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The childminder is registered to care for six children and is currently caring for one pre-school aged child, on a part-time basis. The family has pet gerbils.

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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 is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a warm clean setting where they learn the importance of appropriate personal hygiene and personal care through the daily routines. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They are offered healthy and nutritious snacks and meals such as salads and vegetables. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s choices to provide meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary requirements. Children are offered regular drinks such as milk and water so that they do not become thirsty. They learn about why a healthy lifestyle is important and the effects of unhealthy foods on their bodies, through regular discussion with the childminder. They become aware of how to protect themselves from the sun as the childminder encourages the application of sun cream. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. There

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Helping children to be healthy

are outdoor activities to help children develop control of their bodies, for example, a climbing frame and trampoline. Children can access a wide range of equipment such as construction sets, play dough and scissors to help develop their fine control skills. Regular visits to the swimming baths, fields and walks improve children’s physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment which is warm, welcoming and child-orientated, where there is sufficient space for the children to play in. The childminder takes time each day to identify and minimise potential risks to children both indoors and outdoors. The children can independently access a wide range of good quality toys and resources which are freely accessible to them, so encouraging their independence. Children understand how to keep themselves safe as the childminder makes them aware of the dangers of the road and ensures that children are aware of safe procedures such as stopping at a corner and looking both ways. The children are supervised by the childminder at all times, in order to keep them safe. However, the childminder needs to obtain written parental consent to take the children on public transport, so children's safety is not compromised. The childminder has some understanding of child protection procedures. In order for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children to be protected the childminder needs to ensure she gains a thorough understanding of child protection procedures and the signs to be concerned about in

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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 relation to child protection matters.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in an excellent range of activities which they find interesting and enjoyable. Close and caring relationships between the childminder and the children have formed. which increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. The childminder is skilled at assessing children's needs during activities and offers an excellent level of support whilst allowing children to develop their independence. She offers alternative tools when making different sounds on the piano and goes through the ingredients and recipe when children want to make ginger bread. The childminder has a very good understanding of the developmental needs of all the children in her care. As a result children's learning is extended and consolidated as the childminder asks open-ended questions and encourages the children to predict what might happen in a floating and sinking experiment. They are encouraged to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

share and take turns when playing games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children have access to a limited range of resources that positively reflect diversity. Children's understanding of the wider world could be further broadened by increasing this range. The childminder has a calm and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. As a result children understand what is expected of them, so they know they have to take turns when playing games and help tidy up the resources. As the childminder thanks the children she models good behaviour, so encouraging the children to be considerate to each other. Children are encouraged to behave well as the childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement to the children for their efforts. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are met well as the childminder regularly talks with parents. Children make their own diaries of the school holidays to show the different activities they have been involved in and the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

places they have been. Relationships with parents are positive and the childminder keeps them well informed about how their child has been and what they have been doing and where they are planning on going. This ensures consistency of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease with the appropriately organised environment.

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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 This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. They are able to freely access a wide range of activities, so encouraging their independence. The childminder is keen to enhance her practice through training and has gained a NVQ level two qualification in Early Years Child Care and Education. The childminder works appropriately to promote children's health, enjoyment and achievement. However, in order to ensure that children are well cared for, medication records need to contain more details as outlined in the National Standards. Confidentiality is maintained as all paperwork is stored securely.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children that attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no recommendations set at the last inspection.

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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): • obtain written parental consent to take the children out in a vehicle • provide a range of toys and resources that positively reflect diversity • ensure that medication records contain all required details as referred to in the National Standards.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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