Forester, Joanne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 300606 Inspection date 01 September 2005 Inspector Jill Lee

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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 registered in 1999. She lives with her son in Sheffield area. The downstairs only of the home is used for childminding activities. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear for outdoor play. The family have an elderly pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time. She is currently caring for 16 children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has

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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 recently attended training workshops in Birth to three matters and Outdoor play for creative kids.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. The childminder has a good awareness of health and hygiene guidelines, which helps her to keep children healthy. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication meet requirements and protect children. Daily routines are flexible and responsive to individual needs. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene within their everyday routines; they know to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The childminder liaises closely with parents so that children's individual dietary needs are met. Children bring packed lunches from home, but the childminder provides children's breakfast, tea and other snacks. Drinks are always available for children to access independently and different fruits are offered at snack time. Children are aware which foods are good for them, although the childminder does not sufficiently

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Helping children to be healthy

use opportunities to reinforce the importance of a healthy diet. Mealtimes are relaxed and sociable occasions as children sit together to eat at the big kitchen table. The childminder promotes healthy living by planning a very varied range of activities in the fresh air each day, which contribute to keeping children fit and well. They enjoy playing in the garden, riding their bikes down the grassy slope and skilfully use the large play equipment in the local park. They organise lots of team games, like rounders, adapting the rules to ensure both younger and older children can be fully involved.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is very safe and child friendly. The childminder plans effective use of available space to meet children's different needs and ensures close supervision at all times. She assesses risks appropriately to promote children's safety and enjoyment. The emergency evacuation plan has been fully discussed with older children. Children can access a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. This gives opportunity for them to enjoy a good variety of different play experiences safely. The childminder promotes children's awareness of risk and safety in daily routines, for example, they always have a 'pep talk' before outings so that safety rules are clearly remembered. They talk about why they need to behave sensibly near busy roads. Children are encouraged to tidy away toys when they have finished with them to minimise the risk of accidents. They know some toys must not

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

be used on the floor when young children are around.

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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 Children are effectively protected. Their welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities within required child protection procedures. She is now more able to talk confidently with parents about her role, sharing required documentation. The childminder actively encourages children to talk with her about any worries, so that they feel confident to seek appropriate help if needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder organises the environment so that children can freely access a wide range of activities and plan their own play. She feels it is important to find out what children enjoy and can do, so that they can plan experiences together which reflect their interests. Children are very happy and settled with the childminder. Relationships are relaxed and trusting. The children enjoy lots of warm conversation as they organise a board game, revising the rules so it will not take too long as one child is going home early. The childminder offers unobtrusive support appropriate to each child's needs; she helps the children make the rules work for all ages. The children enjoy making models with different construction resources. They love creative activities and often paint or make models with play dough. The current creative craze for the older girls is making 'scoobies', decorative necklaces and key rings. Younger children enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

imaginary role play and building dens, for example, they pretend to be cavemen and go out hunting. The childminder encourages frequent visits to the library with children so that there are always new books to read; books are used well as stimulus for new activity ideas. The childminder sensitively supports good behaviour. She helps children to think about right and wrong in their relationships with each other, by encouraging them to explain reasons for disagreements. As a result, they begin to manage situations independently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a close partnership with parents, which helps her to understand children's needs. She recognises that sharing information on a daily basis with parents helps to support links with home and increases children's sense of belonging. She is respectful of children's need for confidentiality, and often talks to parents in the evening if concerns arise. Children are able to select play activities freely from a good range of stimulating resources put out each day by the childminder. The environment is organised to promote their independence, although children may need to ask the childminder to get something they need if it is not out. They are supported to make their own decisions, plan their own play and manage their own needs. Children's individuality is valued. The childminder promotes conversations to help them to think about and

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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 respect difference. She uses the local community very well and plans a good variety of outings to broaden children's experiences. The childminder borrows resources from local toy and book libraries to help stimulate children's awareness of other cultures and the wider world. The childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement to help develop children's confidence and self-esteem. Politeness and caring behaviour are strongly encouraged. Rules are clear and the childminder reinforces children's understanding consistently in daily routines. They begin to take responsibility for their own behaviour, for example, they organise games so everyone can be included. The children learn to be sensitive to the needs of others and try to protect their feelings. The childminder promotes lots of opportunities for children to contribute actively to

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The safe and well organised environment appropriately supports individual needs. The childminder involves children in planning and takes account of their ideas. She accesses training and development opportunities, which enhance her ability to plan enjoyable and stimulating experiences for children. She evaluates her own practice effectively. Children are kept safe and their welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding and implementation of required policies and procedures. All the required documentation is in place and most agreements reached with parents are clear and fully recorded. However, the childminder has not had prior discussion with parents regarding their wishes in situations where emergency medication may be needed. Therefore, the process to obtain prior written consents is not sufficiently clear. Consents for emergency treatment have not been included in new contracts.

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Organisation

Overall the childminder actively promotes children's well-being and effectively meets the individual needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that possible injuries to children were consistently recorded. The childminder has fully reviewed her systems for recording existing injuries and other incidents. She feels better able to inform parents about her child protection responsibilities. She is finding the more formal record keeping, which she shares with parents, is helping her with this process. She has more confidence with regard to her child protection role, thus enabling her to protect children more effectively.

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Complaints 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

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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): • find more ways within everyday routines to increase children's awareness of the importance of healthy eating • enhance children's independent opportunities to select tools and resources so that they can freely develop their own play ideas • clarify recording systems to ensure details are clear and fully reflect agreements with parents.

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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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