Runciman Susan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304069 Inspection date 03 November 2005 Inspector Jennifer Read

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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 satisfactory. 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 registered since 2004 and may provide care for six children under eight years at any one time. She currently cares for two children under 3 years on a part-time basis, one child over 4 years on an occasional basis before school and one child over 8 years on a part-time basis after school during school terms. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder lives with her husband and four grown up children in the Golden Valley area of Cheltenham. The whole house is used for childminding. The main areas used for play are two reception rooms, an open-plan kitchen and dining room

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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 and downstairs toilet. There is an enclosed rear garden with grass and patio areas for outside play. The family has two dogs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children experience a healthy diet and eagerly eat their fruit, yoghurts and sandwiches. Mealtimes are used successfully as a social occasion to increase children's enjoyment of food. However, an explanation to help them understand the importance of why healthy food, personal hygiene and regular physical exercise promote their healthy well-being is not given. Children have easy access to regular drinks and help themselves to their cup during play to ensure no-one remains thirsty. Children play in a clean, tidy home and learn adequate hygiene practices. They know to wash their hands after using the toilet, but nappy changing practices and consistent encouragement to wash their hands after touching the dogs is not routine to help prevent the spread of infection and promote their health care needs. Children enjoy sufficient fresh air and physical exercise to encourage health living.

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Helping children to be healthy

They eagerly run, climb, jump and explore the garden in fine weather and take regular visits to the play park to explore and investigate their natural surroundings. Younger children learn to improve their physical skills and to gain greater control of their body and movements as they practise walking, jumping and moving around obstacles and furniture with growing spatial awareness. Children are settled, content and develop a healthy independence as they learn to do things for themselves, with the knowledge that an adult is ready to support and help if needed. The childminder is sensitive and provides warmth and comfort through regular cuddles and reassurance to help children gain confidence, feel secure and a sense of belonging.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play within a safe, secure and spacious setting. They benefit from appropriate safety measures to reduce the risk of accidental injury, for example, cupboard locks, stair gate and fully secure outdoor play area. The childminder supervises children closely, is vigilant and gives sensitive reminders, such as a request to stop running inside the house or, 'you must be careful with hot things’, which, helps children, learn safe boundaries. However, a clear, consistent explanation, and discussion and practise of the emergency escape plan does not take place. Consequently, children miss opportunities to learn to keep themselves safe. The good organisation of well-maintained toys and equipment 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 boxes, tables and containers at child height. Children are protected sufficiently from possible abuse and neglect because the childminder recognises children's safety and welfare is paramount. She has acceptable knowledge and awareness of the signs and indicators to look for and of the procedure to follow with any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children take part in a suitable range of activities and play experiences based around their interests and needs. They play happily with a small selection of toys, puzzles and creative materials and respond well to new challenges. Children explore with paint, drawing, cooking and play dough to help them express their creativity, feelings and experiences in a variety of ways. Children progress appropriately because the childminder adapts activities according to children's individual needs to promote an inclusive approach. For example, the older children use the easel to make marks, lines and patterns while the younger children dab, role and rub the paint pen across the paper on the low-level table. Children are confident in their relationship with each other and the childminder. They learn to share and take turns and respond well to the childminder's praise and encouragement during play. Children squeal with delight and pleasure as they press

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the buttons on the pop-up frog and play hide-and-seek in the cardboard box. They show interest in puzzles and books and begin to improve their concentration through sharing books and appropriate support. Children take part in household activities to broaden their experiences and learning. They excitedly wash-up their play items together at the sink and experiment with squeezing the sponges and creating bubbles, running the water through the sieve, filling the containers and cleaning the work surface. Children begin to develop their imagination and improve their communication skills as they ask questions, and share ideas in their play. For instance, 'sizzling sausages, Oh burn me again, oh I have to do it like this', the child says as she uses the play dough to pretend she is cooking her dinner. Children make connections in their play because the childminder shows interest in what the children do, say, and extends

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities through purposeful questioning and ideas to make experiences real and meaningful. For example, 'What are you going to have with your sausages?', 'How long shall we cook it for? You’re the chef and I'm your helper'. Opportunities for younger children to further develop their sensory and exploratory experiences are limited because they have minimal access to natural media and materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed and valued as individuals because the childminder liaises closely with parents and is secure in her knowledge of each child and their family to support their needs successfully. However, knowledge and experience of the care of special needs is limited. Children benefit from a positive and friendly partnership with

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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 parents and the childminder to ensure they work together in the best interests of the children. Informative and constructive daily discussion, children's pictures and provider agreements and permissions help keep parents well informed about their child's activities and care. Children behave well and benefit from frequent praise to value their achievements and promote their self-esteem. They learn to negotiate with each other through careful suggestions and explanations to aid sharing and help to tidy away toys and play items with encouragement. Children lack opportunities to learn about our multi-cultural society and gain an understanding of people's differences and similarities. They have access to a small selection of books and jigsaws to reflect positive images of other cultures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is keen and committed to the care of the children. She enjoys her work with the children and is motivated to improve her practice to promote their care, learning and play. Children are happy and settled because the childminder is sensitive and professional in her approach. The childminder has a suitable knowledge of regulatory requirements and takes appropriate steps to protect the children. Children benefit from an organised setting, which helps maintain their health, safety and well-being. Areas are divided appropriately to provide a range of creative activities and free-play opportunities to meet their needs consistently. Children use the play space purposefully and move between the areas confidently. Documentation is secure and organised generally well to safeguard children's welfare. Children's information is kept in individual sleeves in a lockable toolkit in the

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Organisation

office. As a result, details are easily available and confidentiality is maintained. Most records are in place and shared with parents. However, the daily attendance is not complete and include accurate times of children's arrival and departure. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are 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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Complaints 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

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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 satisfactory. 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): • improve hygiene routines to help build children's awareness of the importance of hand washing and why healthy, nutritious food and regular exercise help promote a healthy lifestyle. • discuss and practise a well-thought through emergency escape plan to help children learn how to stay safe in an emergency and provide clear explanations to increase children's awareness of everyday safety in the setting.

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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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