Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 223816 Inspection date 02 October 2005 Inspector Mary Anne Henderson

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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 in Shropshire with her husband and two children. The main living areas of the home is made available for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed outdoor play area. The family have a cat and ferrets. The ferrets are housed in an area which is not used by the children. The childminder walks to take and collect children from school. She takes children on local outings, shopping and to parks. The childminder is registered to care for four

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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 children under eight years old and is currently caring for three children who attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where routines and procedures implemented by the childminder help them to develop an understanding of the importance of good hygiene practices. As most procedures are in place to ensure that children are cared for appropriately in the event of an accident or illness, their welfare is promoted; however, children's health may be compromised because the parents' consent for the childminder to act in an emergency does not outline the procedures that will be followed. Children's good health is promoted well through the provision of a healthy diet. The childminder provides the children with a range of foods such as pasta, vegetables, fruits such as apples and bananas and also provides them with healthy drinks such as sugar free squash, milk and water. The children also have the opportunity to learn about caring for their teeth through discussion and attending local toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy access to the outdoor area and the local parks to enable them to get plenty of fresh air and to be physical, so developing a healthy lifestyle. They use the outdoor facilities to develop their skills in areas such as climbing, swinging and rocking. They enjoy access to small and large equipment which develops their confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Areas in the home are welcoming to the children. They are able to make their own choices about what they want to do as they choose from a range of resources that are freely accessible to them in low reach boxes. Children learn how to keep themselves safe from harm as they practice the Green Cross Code while on outings. Their safety is generally well considered as risks are identified and minimised on a daily basis. Children's toys and resources are well maintained and meet safety standards. The range available is suitable for their ages and stages of development. Children's safety and welfare are well protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues in line with the Area Child Protection Committee procedures, and she is trained in first aid.

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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 take part in a good range of activities that they find interesting and enjoyable. They play indoors and outdoors with a range of freely accessible resources and toys which encourages their independent learning. Children play cooperatively together, they are settled, relate well to the childminder and one another and are making good progress in their personal, social and emotional development. They enjoy going for daily walks and visiting places of interest, such as the toddler groups and parks. The childminder has a good understanding of the differing needs of children according to their age and stage of development. Children in their earliest years are well supported by the childminder who has attended 'Birth to three matters' training.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures she meets the children's individual needs appropriately through ongoing discussion with the parents. This means that the children benefit from consistent care and ensures they are settled and secure. Children have a good understanding of behaviour expected from them and they behave well. They have clear boundaries that are understood which encourages them to have a sense of self-discipline. The children are happy in the care of the childminder. Children are well valued and respected as individuals. Children are beginning to have an understanding of anti-discrimination as they freely access a good range of resources that positively reflects images of diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are relaxed within this effectively organised environment. This means that they are confident to develop their own play and learning. Support from the childminder, who provides inviting opportunities for the children, enables them to develop in all areas and make good use of their time in the setting. The childminder ensures paperwork is kept up to date and made available for inspection, and ensures records relating to individual children are retained for a reasonable period of time. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place and regularly reviewed. 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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to address a number of recommendations. She was asked to ensure that assistants have satisfactory checks prior to being left in sole charge of the children and to obtain written parental permission to allow assistants to be left in sole charge. The childminder addressed this by reconsidering leaving the children with an assistant. Now, when assistants are in attendance, they are not left in sole charge, but instead go with the childminder to collect children from school. The assistants are appropriately cleared to do this. The childminder was also asked to complete a first aid course. She addressed this by attending first aid training in May 2004. Children are protected by the childminder who now knows how to provide first aid to infants and young children in an emergency. The childminder was also asked to improve security of the outdoor play area and to also ensure children are protected by keeping a written record of any

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Improvements since the last inspection

concerns or incidents arising. She addressed this by raising the lock on the back gate so that children could not get out of the garden. Also, children are now protected as the childminder would keep a written record of all concerns or incidents arising. Finally, the childminder was asked to obtain written details from parents regarding individual children's dietary requirements and to obtain a copy of the Area Child Protection Committee's procedures. She addressed this by ensuring that parents write down any dietary needs their children have. This means that their health is now protected. Also, the childminder attended child protection training and accessed the Area Child Protection Committee's procedures. Children are now protected by the childminder who has a sound understanding of child protection issues.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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