Gnosill, Wendy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY259041 Inspection date 08 March 2006 Inspector Samantha Jayne Taylor

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 8 years; 6 years and 8 months old. They live in Pelsall, West Midlands. The house is within walking distance of local shops, schools and parks. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for 3 children at any one time; she presently has 3 children on roll; 2 children aged 7 years old and 2 children aged 8 years old. The admissions policy allows for children aged over 8 years to attend.

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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 The family have goldfish. She is a member of The National Childminding Association (N C M A). She regularly attends play groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder encourages effective hygiene practices, for example, children are actively encouraged to develop good self-care skills, which are incorporated into daily routines. This assists children in developing their independence. The childminder's knowledge of food hygiene practice ensures that systems are in place which minimises the risk of cross infection. She prepares food types provided by parents; individual dietary needs are recorded. Snacks, such as fruit are available to the children. Individual cups for drinks are always available and easily accessible; older children have access to filtered water. This encourages children to learn the importance of being healthy and to develop self-help skills. Daily opportunities of outdoor play allow children to access different experiences of play which increases both their physical and social skills, through trips to the park,

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Helping children to be healthy

access to the rear garden and walks into the village. During the summer months children talk of outdoor games, such as cricket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a child friendly environment with an area designated as a play area/dining room. Pictures of children's art work and photographs of activities are displayed. Children are proud of their creations and readily share them with their parents as they are collected. This helps parents and children to feel welcomed. Equipment and resources are accessible and rotated to maintain interest, which encourage children's independence skills. The childminder places importance on fire safety; fire drills are practiced and recorded, with children encouraged to think about the safety of themselves and others. This helps to promote children's welfare. However, safety regarding the boundary area within the garden is incomplete. The childminder maintains documentation to support transportation of children, including written permission from the parents and car insurance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities when working within child protection procedures. She shares information and knowledge gained from attending a short course in child protection with the children's parents. This helps to protect children.

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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 are provided with a range of experiences, for example arts and crafts. They access a wide range of toys and resources from within an area designated as a play area. Children participate in a broad range of activities indoors and outdoors, which relate to their age and stage of development; the childminder is knowledgeable of individual interests. Older children enjoy games outdoors with bats and balls, which encourages team work and helps to develop children's positive self-esteem. Children have regular access to creative and messy play, for example play dough which is colourful to look at and inviting to touch. Their work is attractively displayed, for example collage pictures, and children enjoy making items such as cards. Activities include 'gardening', where children have the opportunity to grow sunflowers; competitions are held, to see whose flower grows the tallest. This helps to develop

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children's positive self-esteem, whilst photographs taken of the events, help children to recall activities. Younger infants have a variety of resources to explore; they are attractively accessible at floor level and which help them to explore their senses through, for example touch.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. There are some toys and resources provided, which enable children to access positive images of equality but resources which reflect positive imagery of disabilities are limited. As a result, children are generally developing knowledge and understanding of the world. The childminder provides consistency of care by discussing with parents at induction children's health, likes and dislikes, the daily routine and by providing regular feedback. Partnership with parents is promoted through consultation and consistency of care; a caring environment is provided. Older children express their enjoyment at attending the setting, which reassures parents. Daily feedback is given between home, school and the setting and confidentiality is assured. This means that children benefit through good relationships and the sharing of regular information. Children have a clear understanding of the boundaries within the home and respond

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Helping children make a positive contribution

well to each other and to the childminder. Children behave well and are comfortable in the company of the childminder and her family members.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is knowledgeable in child care. Experience of caring for children, together with her commitment to ongoing training, assists in the promotion of

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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 children's overall development. Children are able to move around freely and explore their surroundings; the organisation of space is good and consideration is given to different age bands and interests. This ensures children are well supervised at all times. Children benefit from being cared for in a child-orientated environment where there is easy access for outdoor play. Secure procedure for vetting individuals by the childminder ensures that children are protected. Most documentation is maintained including detailed attendance records. Contracts are completed and reviewed, with regular updates of information; records are retained. As a result, parents are fully informed to enhance consistency of care. The home is well organised to meet the children's needs, to develop their

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Organisation

independence and confidence. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection an action was raised with regards to the childminder updating her knowledge and procedure in respect of notifiable illnesses. The childminder holds current information, which is available to share with parents. The last Children Act inspection recommended that the childminder should improve positive imagery resources. The childminder has made some improvements, which promote children's outcome for positive contribution. Children access a range of resources, which reflect positive images of ethnicity and gender but resources for disability are limited. A further recommendation was made with regards to revising the written statement for seeking emergency medical treatment. Whilst there was not a requirement to have a written statement, the childminder has revised the statement.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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): • ensure that children are safe when playing in the garden area • increase resources which promotes positive imagery of disability.

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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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