Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363341 Unique Reference Number 02 July 2008 Inspection date Shirley Amanda Wilkes 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 husband and two year old child in a house in the Telford area of Shropshire. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. All areas of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a cat.

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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 five children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a pleasant environment where they are encouraged to take part in routine hand washing after messy activities and before food and after toileting. The childminder has received first aid training and there is a fully stocked first aid box to make sure accidents are dealt with appropriately. All reasonable steps are taken to keep children healthy, accident and medication records are in place, and parents are given a copy of the sickness policy along with a list of exclusion times. As a result their good health is maintained and the spread of infection reduced.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder gathers appropriate information from parents and provides any meals or snacks in line with parents’ wishes. She effectively supervises meal times to ensure that children's health is well promoted and reinforces children's awareness of 'healthy foods' through discussion. Children are able to make healthy choices at snack times as a selection of fresh fruits are available. Children are able to access drinks at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a daily opportunity to take part in outdoor activities. There is a strong emphasis on outside play in the garden using a variety of equipment, for example a slide, swing and small trampoline. They visit the park, local toddler groups and play areas, and they are able to explore the local community. Children can also rest when they and their parents wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. They safely move around the home and explore their toys and play materials because the childminder has a good awareness of safety issues. She has identified and effectively minimised potential dangers indoors, for example, by using appropriate safety equipment around the home such as socket covers, fire guard and safety gates. Children are able to select toys and activities from a wide range of clean and safe toys. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe, they regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedures with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have free access to a good range of play materials which are stored in boxes in the dining room. The childminder cleans and checks these regularly to ensure that they remain in appropriate condition so that they do not pose a risk to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can play safely outdoors because the garden is fully enclosed and the childminder regularly checks the garden toys. She has good systems in place to keep children safe when outside of the home. Younger children use appropriate safety equipment when on outings, such as pushchair and car restraints.

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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 good. Children are happy in the childminder's home and interested in exploring and investigating their surroundings. They are given opportunities to play alone or with their peers. They also participate in adult led activities and as a result they enjoy learning through a variety of play experiences. For example, they play together using blankets as capes pretending to be super heroes. Children enjoy taking part in cooking and art and craft activities which the childminder displays building their self-esteem. They have an enjoyable time sitting with the childminder listening and joining in with the story of we're going on a bear hunt.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have regular trips out that include the school run, outings to local groups and parks. These provide chances for children to socialise, use a variety of large equipment with more space to develop their physical skills. Children are able to play in the enclosed garden with a variety of equipment including slide, swing and child sized trampoline. Children also enjoy sand and water play outdoors.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are made aware of the wider world through toys and activities that the childminder provides to promote positive images of gender, race, and culture. Activities are adapted to meet the varying ages and stages of the children cared for to ensure all children are able to participate. The childminder states that any children with learning and/or physical disabilities are welcome. During discussions she demonstrates an awareness of how to support individual needs and to offer support to parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well with the childminder giving positive reinforcement for good behaviour and good manners. Children understand the behaviour boundaries, and the consequences of poor behaviour. Partnership with parents is good and there are good procedures in place for the gathering and sharing of information to ensure children's needs and parent’s wishes are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's independence and confidence is developed through the good organisation of toys and resources and the free movement from indoors to outdoors.

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Organisation

All documentation is in place. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare care and learning of the children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service. However the attendance register does not record accurate arrival and departure times of the children.

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Organisation

Children's information is stored in separate files to ensure confidentiality and daily discussions take place about how time has been spent with the childminder. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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): • ensure the register shows accurate arrival and departure times .

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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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