Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 205025 Inspection date 24 June 2005 Inspector Saida Cummings

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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 has been childminding since 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged fourteen and seven years. They live in a semi-detached house on the outskirts of Worcester City. There are local shops, parks and schools within walking distance. The main areas used for childminding are situated on the ground floor, with bathroom facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. Children are also taken on local visits and outings, including regular attendance at the local Parent and Toddler Group. The family have one cat and two

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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 rabbits. The childminder has attended appropriate childminding and first aid training. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The childminder is currently minding six children under eight years, who attend on a part-time basis. Children are walked to and from the local pre-school group and primary school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are able to access well-maintained and clean equipment. Their health is fostered through effective hygiene procedures. They understand the importance of washing their hands before eating and after outdoor play. The risk of infection to children is reduced as the childminder has good written guidelines concerning sick children, which are shared with all parents to ensure they are made fully aware. Children are developing an awareness of healthy lifestyles as they participate in outdoor play activities and make choices about their food and drink. They regularly use a large outdoor play area for free play, which enables them to run, jump and develop their physical skills. Children also enjoy regular outings to local playing fields, parks and walks. Children’s food and drink needs are well catered for as the childminder is very flexible, where parents are also able to provide their own food. Children enjoy a

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Helping children to be healthy

varied diet as the childminder fully discusses their preferences with the parents to ensure their needs are always met.

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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 welcoming and family-friendly environment, where they use different areas as appropriate with the childminder ensuring they are supervised at all times. They happily select play equipment and resources which are placed at floor level for their easy access. Young children are provided with various stimulating toys and equipment, which are used to develop their awareness of different materials and textures. Children are taught safety as part of every-day activities. The areas used by children have been made safe by ensuring age-appropriate safety items are in place. This includes use of safety gates, electrical socket covers and a fenced-off area with a padlocked high-level gate to restrict children’s access to the greenhouse. Although the childminder has devised a written emergency evacuation procedure, the children are not made aware of this as they do not have the opportunity to carry out

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

regular practices. Children’s safety and welfare is fostered as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection and is confident to follow the correct

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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 procedures to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are allowed time to explore ideas and use their imagination. This includes use of various imaginary play materials, where the childminder adapts the daily routine to ensure children’s needs are met. They have access to a broad range of activities which are adapted depending on their ages and stages of development, and are able to select play activities easily. Children are able to use every-day experiences to extend their skills and learning. This includes shopping trips to local shops where they help to select items and place them in different bags for carrying back. Children have the opportunity to go on local outings, such as playing in the local parks and feeding the swans. This includes regular attendances at the local Parent and Toddler Group, where they have the opportunity to socialise with other children of the same age group and take part in group activities such as music and rhyme.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s interest and involvement is encouraged by the consistent and positive adult interaction. They are happy and settled within the environment. The childminder constantly talks and plays with each individual child and encourages interaction between all ages. Very young children are supported and encouraged to enable them to gain confidence and to try new experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are given lots of individual attention and thoroughly enjoy good interaction with the childminder, which enables their needs to be met. They are all treated equally and have equal access to resources and activities, which include a range of resources to promote their awareness of diversity. The childminder understands equal opportunities and special needs issues and ensures these are incorporated into the care provided. Although she has not cared for any children with special needs as there have not been any requests, she demonstrates a sound knowledge and understanding of how to research appropriate information and to hold full discussions with parents initially to ensure she is able to meet any specific needs. Children respond well to the childminder’s approach to any behavioural issues. Their positive behaviour is encouraged and praised. The childminder discusses and agrees

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the behaviour management policy with the parents initially to ensure they are made fully aware. Further discussions are held if there are any issues or problems to ensure consistency is practised between home and the setting. Children’s individual needs are met as the childminder ensures full discussions are initially held with parents and that she is able to meet all requirements as outlined. Further discussions are held on a daily basis. Children are settled in on a gradual

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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 basis which is fully planned with parents to ensure enough time is allowed. Parents are kept fully informed of the childminder’s routines and how the children spend their day. In this way both parents and childminder are able to share and build on the child’s experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy good interaction with the childminder as she ensures she organises her time during sessions to be able to adapt to their particular needs and routines. The babies’ sleeping routines are fitted around activities for older children and the organisation of walking children to and from pre-school and the local primary school. Children are cared for in an organised homely environment as the childminder ensures she plans the childminding sessions to meet their individual needs and their preferences. She demonstrates a strong commitment to the children and provides them with a wide range of positive play and learning experiences. The childminder has developed a good system for recording and keeping appropriate clear records as required. She ensures any relevant documentation is made available to parents, which include some written policies outlining procedures followed.

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Organisation

Children’s records are easily accessed, stored securely and a high priority is given to maintaining confidentiality at all times. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The system for recording children's details has improved as the childminder ensures siblings are now detailed on separate forms. This enables the childminder to meet all individual children's specific needs as she can now clearly identify any special requirements easily at all times.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • practise the emergency evacuation procedures regularly to ensure children can be evacuated safely and older children develop an understanding of safety procedures.

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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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