Childminder in ShropshireOfsted inspection, 15 Sept 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 506527 Inspection date 15 September 2005 Inspector Jane Muriel Laraman

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1989 and lives with her husband and two grown-up children in a terraced house in an established area of Shrewsbury. The property is within walking distance of the local schools, pre-schools, parkland and amenities. The whole of the ground floor, the first floor bathroom and main bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. There are currently 18 children on roll, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

p.2

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 The family has goldfish as pets. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Shropshire Childminding Network and regularly meets with other childminders. She works with an assistant and regularly accesses training and workshops arranged by the local authority.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are encouraged by the childminder and her assistant to follow clear, efficient hygiene routines to protect and promote their health and well-being. As a result, they are beginning to understand simple good health and hygiene practices. The childminder is a good role model for the children as she ensures she carries out the same practice, especially before preparing snacks and meals, or when providing personal care to the children. The childminder explains routines to younger children, for example why they are washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Older children learn the importance of good hygiene as they become increasingly independent in their personal care. In order to further ensure that children's health is protected, very high standards of cleanliness are maintained in the home and toys and equipment are kept clean and in good condition. Each day there are outdoor activities to improve children's physical skills. They enjoy

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

free play in the garden and go on regular walks to local parks and playgrounds, the toddler group and shops. These activities give them good opportunities to gain exercise and access fresh air. Children are protected from cross infection as the childminder does not admit them to the provision with any infections and this is discussed with parents. Good quality documentation is maintained regarding the administration of medication and recording of accidents, and a well stocked first aid box is available to ensure children's well-being is safeguarded in the event of accidents. Food is attractively presented and obviously appeals to children as they enjoy the meals and drinks prepared for them. They eat their meals in a relaxed social atmosphere and are encouraged to try a variety of foods to increase their awareness of a range of tastes. As a consequence, children learn to enjoy nutritious food as part

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very well-organised and welcoming environment. They have room to move around freely and safely due to the childminder's high regard for

p.3

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 a safe, secure environment and the effective organisation of space. Children have access to a good range of furniture, well maintained equipment and toys which is provided to promote their development and welfare. They can reach the toys and resources easily and safely, are able to make choices and are developing their independence. Children's growing awareness of safety matters, both indoors and outdoors, is encouraged by the childminder. She teaches them simple safety rules and explains why they need to take care, for example, when using the stairs. The proper fire precautions are in place and children practise the emergency evacuation procedure, following the written emergency escape plan. The childminder carries out and records formal risk assessments to identify and minimise hazards within the home.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and sensitively promoted by the childminder. She has a good understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection issues, with the required procedures and a written policy in place.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children arrive happily and are keen to take part in an excellent range of play opportunities and activities such as creative work, music, role play, cooking, outings and stories. They are well settled and become confident as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that familiar home routines are followed. In this safe, secure environment children develop affectionate relationships with the childminder and her assistant, who build on what children can already do when planning creative, stimulating activities for them. Children are also encouraged to choose and plan what they want to do, thus developing their independence and motivation. Children are constantly acquiring new knowledge and skills from the wealth of themed activities that help them to question, explore and have fun in their learning. They easily engage in simple role play as they use resources such as the dolls,

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pushchairs, prams and play food to act out and mimic adult tasks such as feeding the baby and cleaning. They delight in being taken on exciting outings and particularly enjoy visiting their own designated allotments within the garden of an assistant childcarer. Fruit and vegetables are cultivated, harvested and taken home by the children to enjoy sharing with their families. Stories, poems, songs and nursery rhymes are enjoyed by the children and help them to learn new words and develop their language skills. They develop an understanding of what numbers mean whilst counting, for example, pieces of fruit and sharing them out. Children's social skills and self-esteem are well developed due to the childminder's constant use of praise, encouragement and discussion. The building of children's confidence is further developed through the childminder allowing them to try and complete a task and sensitively intervening with assistance if they look to her for

p.4

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 The childminder has an excellent understanding, through her training and experience, of the differing developmental needs of children. This means, for example, that older children are also able to choose whether to complete homework or take part in another activity after school.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy secure relationships with the childminder and her assistant, demonstrated by the affectionate way they interact with both of them. This enables the children to understand that they are valued and respected as individuals and promotes the growth of self esteem. They learn to trust other people as their needs are well met, for example when they are tired, hungry or in special need of attention. The childminder offers a good role model with regard to her positive attitudes towards diversity. Children have access to a satisfactory range of multi-cultural, anti-discriminatory resources and hear the childminder's positive comments, whilst they play, about people who have differing needs. This helps children to develop their own respectful views of disability, culture, gender and ethnicity. Good, consistent behaviour management techniques used by the childminder help children to learn that positive behaviour brings praise and negative behaviour has no

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

reward. Children learn how to behave and react towards other people and begin to understand the difference between right and wrong through this consistent approach. This positive environment helps the children to acquire social confidence and aids development of the necessary skills to form good relationships. Trusting partnerships have been established with parents to help promote children's well-being, development and learning progress. Parents' knowledge of their child's needs and interests is actively sought prior to a placement commencing and information continues to be shared throughout their placement with the childminder.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent commitment to continually improving her practice and keeping her knowledge up-to-date. She actively seeks ways to enable her to do this successfully through ongoing training. Currently, she is developing and implementing knowledge of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. Children benefit from the childminder’s increasing knowledge and confidence, as she plans purposeful, high quality activities for them to learn from and enjoy. Children feel at home and relaxed in the exceptionally well-organised and stimulating environment, resulting in them being confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The required ratios are maintained, with effective deployment of assistants when applicable. Children often receive one-to-one adult support which promotes their care and welfare and ensures their needs are met effectively.

p.5

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 Well-organised records, policies and procedures, which contain pertinent information, are shared with parents and reviewed regularly to ensure that the information remains up-to-date and accurate. This contributes to the continuing welfare and safety of the children in the childminder's care. The childminder's very high regard for the children's individual preferences ensures that they feel special and valued. She is an excellent role model and teaches the children to respect themselves and other people. The well-balanced daily routine incorporates quiet and busy times to ensure that children benefit from a range of experiences, which helps them to make progress in all areas of their development. The solid partnership between parents, the childminder and her assistants ensures

p.5

Organisation

that the children's needs are as fully met as possible. As a result, the children are very happy, contented and secure. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to obtain copies of assistants' driving licences and their respective vehicle documents. This has been done well, with systems set up to ensure that evidence of all legal requirements is available for inspection by parents. This has given them additional reassurance regarding their child's travel arrangements. The childminder also agreed to obtain written permission from parents before applying sun protection preparations. In addition to obtaining parental consents, a clearly written sun protection policy has been made available to them, detailing the measures taken by the childminder to protect children from the sun.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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):

p.6

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 • continue to develop the practical resources to help children learn about disability and make them available for children to use in their everyday play.

p.6

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

p.7

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

p.7