Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349011 Unique Reference Number 29 April 2008 Inspection date Christine Lynn Williams 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her partner and two children aged eight and 11 in a residential area of Redditch. The whole ground floor and an upstairs bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding. The garden is currently excluded from registration.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children of which two attend full time. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. The family have pets of two dogs and four cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is protected because the childminder ensures they learn the importance of good personal hygiene, eat healthily and get plenty of fresh air and exercise. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 is confident in her understanding of how to quickly recognise and reduce any possible health risks and takes careful steps to prevent the spread of infection, particularly in relation to pets. For example, a daily routine of cleaning floors and areas used by pets ensures the home is hygienic before children arrive each day. All pets are seen regularly by a vet and have appropriate vaccinations and are wormed. Young children are well supported when learning to wash their hands and good levels of hygiene are maintained during nappy changing. Clear records are kept relating to children's health and the childminder uses her first aid knowledge effectively to handle any minor accidents in an efficient and timely manner. However, these records do not include details of any existing injuries a child may have when they arrive at the childminder's

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Helping children to be healthy

home or of any accidents they may have had at school. There is a well stocked first aid box kept in the kitchen and parental permission is maintained for such things as administering medication and seeking emergency medical advice and treatment when necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop positive attitudes to the importance of being active as part of a healthy lifestyle because they regularly enjoy physical play and trips to local parks and playgrounds. Children often visit the park as part of the school collection routine and nature walks are regularly arranged to feed the ducks, watch the squirrels and observe seasonal changes such as looking for tadpoles in the Spring. The childminder understands the physical needs of the youngest children being cared for and provides plenty of space and resources for babies and toddlers to learn how to develop early walking skills and to control their bodies. For example, they use an indoor slide, see-saw and ball pool and visit a soft play centre each month. Shape sorters, bricks, puzzles and crayons are also provided to encourage young children to use their hands and fingers effectively. Older children enjoy being physically active at the local park

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Helping children to be healthy

where they learn to challenge themselves on swings, slides and a climbing frame.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's understanding of the importance of healthy eating is effectively supported because the childminder has clear routines in place to ensure all foods are nutritious and set good examples. Parents provide most food, although the childminder works with them to ensure packed lunches include a balance of healthy foods and she prepares a variety of fresh fruit each day so that children can enjoy such things as bananas, grapes and strawberries as snacks. Toddlers are encouraged to feed themselves, with the childminder offering sensitive support when children show signs of tiring or being distracted during meal times. Children can frequently access drinks of milk or diluted sugar free juice and the childminder monitors their intake to ensure they are drinking sufficiently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a comfortable, homely atmosphere where they can explore safely and independently while being kept safe. The home is well organised and this provides children with plenty of space to rest and play. The dinning area is decorated with children's art work, and posters displaying colours and numbers provide a child-friendly and stimulating atmosphere. Children choose their own activities from a wide range of toys and equipment and this keeps them active and promotes learning. Playthings are checked for safety as they are used and the childminder ensures they are always in good condition and appropriate to the children's age and stage of development. The childminder's garden is currently excluded from registration, although children have easy and regular access to local parks and playgrounds as well as walks to the local lake.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely due to the positive steps taken to prevent accidents. An informal risk assessment has been carried out and the childminder uses this to adapt safety precautions to

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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 meet the age and stage of the children being cared for. For example, safety gates are used to prevent toddlers accessing the stairs, although older children are allowed upstairs to the bathroom when necessary. In addition, all electrical socket are protected, there are locks on the kitchen cupboards and hazardous items such as cleaning materials are stored out of children's reach. A colourful poster is displayed to help children understand the routine for leaving the building quickly in an emergency and fire alarms are regularly checked and recorded. Gentle promoting helps young children to understand how to keep themselves safe; such as not to touch radiators and to always hold the childminder's hand when they are out walking to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s overall well being is safeguarded because the childminder understands child protection procedures and how to implement these when necessary. She has attended child protection training, knows the indicators of abuse and has a reference guide to help her act professionally when necessary. There is a written statement about child protection and she makes sure that this is read and discussed with parents so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns about a child in her care. A comprehensive list of emergency contact numbers relating to child protect are also kept close to hand and this further safeguards children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, well stimulated and enjoy the constant attention they receive. The childminder is very attentive and obvious strong attachments are formed. There are lots of playful interactions and the childminder involves children in their own learning, giving them time to experiment and encouraging them to try new things. Toddlers are well cared for because the childminder is aware of their individual needs and encourages them to make the most of their experiences. For example, she talks to them constantly, gives them choices, negotiates with them and carefully considers what they might learn from their experiences. Observations of what children can do are used to effectively to plan ahead to move them forward with their learning and this is recorded and shared with their parents. The childminder recognises the importance of allowing children to play and watch others at times and she encourages them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to be sociable and to learn from each other.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the rich learning experiences provided that help them to become confident, creative and stimulated by what they are doing. For example, children became fully absorbed when playing with shredded paper and when trying strawberries for the first time. The childminder always ensures children's favourite toys are readily available and colourful cards showing such playthings as hand puppets, dressing-up clothes, a ball pool or small world toys are used to best effect in allowing children to choose what they want to do. A wealth of hands-on experiences are offered to help children explore through their natural curiosity. These include sensory resources such as shredded paper, paint, dough and treasure baskets of natural materials such as a wooden spoon and large fir cone. Children's creativity is widely valued and they use their imaginations through hand puppets, dressing-up, singing and dancing. Many everyday

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

routines are turned into fun ways for learning as children help to load the washing machine or pair up clean socks. There are weekly trips to local toddler groups and they extend their experiences of their local community with walks around the local area and trips to the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and enjoy an atmosphere where they develop a strong sense of self-worth because they are made to feel that they matter. They are given lots of attention and information about their likes, dislikes, favourite toys and what they can do is used to plan ahead to meet their individual needs, interests and personalities. There are plenty of opportunities for children to be cuddled and comforted and they learn to share, take turns and play together harmoniously. Children know when they have done well because the childminder tells them this to make them feel special. For example, smiley face stickers are used to reward children for being helpful or for acknowledging when they have done well at school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a range of activities and playthings which help them to become aware of the diversity of our society. Lots of discussions are used to help them to understand about each other's home and family backgrounds and attractive books, dressing-up clothes and craft activities ensure children see positive images of a diverse society and learn about the beliefs and cultures of others. Close relationships are formed and this helps children to enjoy each other's company and feel part of a close knit group. Suitable arrangements are made to ensure that all children are included and the childminder has a strong commitment to working closely with parents and other relevant parties when necessary. She understands that some children may have additional needs and has carried out training in order to plan ahead to care for them when necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a strong and positive relationship with parents which is based on respect and mutual trust. Parents receive a wealth of useful information to help them understand how their children are cared for and this is provided in an attractive folder. The childminder talks to parents to understand their values, preferences and attitudes and daily chats at arrival and collection times are used to discuss achievements, progress and the child's care. This ensures there is a constant two-way flow of information between the childminder and home. Parents of babies are provided with a daily care diary and photos are used to help parents know what their children have been doing. An extensive range of written statements about the childminder's role and responsibilities are provided for parents to take home, and this includes one on how to make a complaint when necessary.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has carefully considered the organisation of her minding service and this is reflected in the good level of care offered. Most of the downstairs of the home is dedicated to children's toys and play activities and colourful posters and displays provide a very child-friendly environment. She is well qualified and shows a commitment to training in order to extend her knowledge and keep up to date with current early childhood thinking.

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Organisation

A good standard of records and documentation are maintained and these are available for parents to see at all times. These include information about children's needs, their development and health, although records relating to accidents are not fully complete. Agreements with parents are recorded and acted upon and this provides consistency for children and reassurance for parents. Overall the 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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 complaints 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): • maintain a record of children's existing injuries and share these with parents.

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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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