Childminder in ShropshireOfsted inspection, 5 Aug 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 506558 Inspection date 05 August 2005 Inspector Margaret Webster

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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 1996. She lives with her partner and grown up son and her partner's mother who is also her assistant. They live in a village in North Shropshire. The kitchen, playroom and the bathroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed outside play area. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect. She attends the local toddler groups, and takes the children to the local library and the local park. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children under the age of 8 years at any one time and 8 children when she is working with her assistant. There are 15 children

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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 currently on roll who attend at different times. The childminder has one cat. The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They are motivated and interested in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which provide good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example a slide, climbing frame, rides on wheeled toys in the garden, walking to and from school and visits to the local park. The younger children join in the activities enthusiastically because the childminder makes good use of the Birth to three matters framework. Her good understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives the children confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of

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Helping children to be healthy

good hygiene and personal care. They comply with health and care routines and they understand why they must wash their hands after visiting the toilet, playing outside and before eating, this reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They are offered drinks regularly through the day. The childminder provides and cooks all the food. She does not offer any processed food to the children in her care, for example young child present was given fruit at the mid morning break and home made soup for his lunch. All meals are nutritious and are sufficient in quantity. The parents are informed of all meals that she will be providing in advance. The childminder takes account of the wishes of the parents and the children's choices to provide meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. She is aware of 'Birth to three matters' and delivers it in the pre-school where she

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Helping children to be healthy

works in term time and in her childminding business. A young child present is making choices about toys and equipment, moving around freely and able to eat the soup with spoon and hold his own toast.

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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 clean, well maintained environment. The good organisation, well maintained toys and safety equipment in place means children can move around safely and freely to independently access available resources from

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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 tables, trays and boxes at child height. Safety issues are discussed with and understood by the older children. Children’s awareness of safety issues is continuously developed through everyday activities within the home and during outings. Road safety is discussed every day when going to and from school. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child development. She takes time to find out what interests each child and what he or she knows and can do and builds on this information to plan and provide a variety of activities and opportunities to help the child progress in all areas of learning. For example she will allow the children to chose what they want to do and she plans around this. She has a play room in her home where there was evidenced of the art work that the children have done. They do cooking and make their own play dough, garden activities, there is a wide selection of books, construction toys, jigsaws, board games, dressing up clothes, dolls and prams, home corner and things for imaginative play. There was photographic evidenced of activities that the childminder provides. Language and mathematical thinking is promoted through songs, rhymes, counting everyday objects, introducing simple addition and subtraction, reading and story

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

books. Children also learn by participating in many day-to-day domestic routines and activities as well as from particular activities and resources provided, this ensures the children benefit from a wide and varied range of experiences. For example, helping to set the table for lunch, tidying away toys and activities. The childminder actively listens and gives her full attention when babies communicate with her. The baby present was smiling and laughing with the childminder, holding his arms out to her and happy to sit on her lap

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children are supported and stimulated by a variety of toys, equipment and activities that reflect diversity and equal opportunity. For example books, jigsaws, posters in the playroom of people from all cultures, dressing

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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 up clothes, they are offered food from all cultures and they celebrate festivals. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest such as the local park and walks in the local community. Children’s individual needs are identified and met very well; the parents' requests are recorded and respected. The childminder works collaboratively with parents and, where necessary, other agencies to support individual children. Attractive clear and detailed information is provided to parents about the setting's practice and service provided. She has a folder that contains all the relevant information about the service that she is providing. The children are praised when they try to help each other and for their good behaviour. All behaviour is age related and developmentally appropriate. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children respond to clear behaviour management policy and strategies which are shared with and understood by parents. There are effective and consistent ways for dealing with children’s behaviour, which includes setting boundaries, using praise rather than criticism, talking to children about their behaviour or distracting them. Written agreements with parents are clear, detailed and comprehensive. Regular discussions take place with parents to exchange information, discuss concerns and to highlight the child's progress. This enables the childminder and the parents to work together and help the children to learn and develop. There are good partnerships with parents. Parents are regularly informed of the childminding activities. For example a daily diary is maintained for the younger children and shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease with the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Most of the policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the child, however she does not have written permission from the parents to administer medication. All records, policies and procedures are shared with the parents to keep them informed about the service and their child's activities. The registered person meets the required adult-child ratios. She organises space and resources to meet the children’s needs effectively? She keeps an up to date record of the children's attendance in a diary recording the times of arrival and departure. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved children's safety by providing a new play area in the front garden away from the gas canister in the back garden that is safe, enclosed and secluded. She has obtained written permission from the parents for emergency medical treatment and using sun cream. Contracts

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Improvements 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 and business agreements are in place for all the children in her care. This has enhanced the care and service she is providing for the children.

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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): • obtain written permission from the parents to administer medication.

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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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