Oliver, Julie Bronwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 506556 Inspection date 28 April 2005 Inspector Juliette Jennings

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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 1989. She lives with her husband and their 3 children aged 20, 18 and 14 years in the town of Broseley in Shropshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, which consists of the kitchen, the dining room, the playroom, the downstairs toilet and there is also a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder walks/uses a car to go to local schools/playgroups to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups and takes children on local outings, to the library, shopping and to parks. The family have two cats as pets.

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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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, is registered with the Shropshire Childminding Network and is a support mentor for new childminders in her area. She is qualified to level three in Early Years Care and Education and attends training provided by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. She is registered to provide care for six children and is currently minding seven children in total on either a full-time or part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are aware when they are hungry and know to ask for lunch, snack or drinks. They are supported well by the childminder to make choices from a healthy range of snacks. They access their lunch with independence; setting the table and accessing the cutlery that they need. Children are encouraged to eat healthily and use appropriate table manners whilst they eat. Children's health is promoted very well through a healthy balanced diet and access to fresh air, daily walks and regular physical activity. They are aware of the importance of washing hands after using the toilet. The childminder helps to promote good hygiene by ensuring that a good supply of anti-bacterial soap and individual wipes are available at low-level in addition to implementing an appropriate nappy changing procedure which is in line with good practice guidelines and is available for parents to see.

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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 safe environment. They are supervised very well by the childminder who is aware of what they are doing at all times. The childminder ensures that procedures and policies are in place so that children are safe. Children do not have access to parts of the house and garden that are unsuitable for them. No safety issues have been highlighted at this inspection. Children are supervised well by the childminder, who is aware of any possible safety issues within her home. Children have use of a designated playroom in which they are comfortable and where they access the extensive range of resources available from suitable low-level storage units. Children have the use of comfortable seating in addition to child-sized and other domestic furniture within a homely, child-orientated environment. The childminder has all the required documents and procedures in place to ensure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

that children's safety and welfare is promoted. She has an up to date First Aid qualification and a good understanding of child protection issues. However she would benefit from updating knowledge and understanding of current procedures in relation to the latter, since the implementation of Every Child Matters.

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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 happily and enthusiastically access an extensive range of toys, activities and resources within an environment that allows them to make choices about what they want to do. They enjoy role play, wheeled indoor toys, dressing up and creative activities. Older children enjoy more structured activities to support literacy and mathematical development, for example their workbooks, with good attention and support from the childminder. Children's overall development is promoted very well through appropriately planned structured activities alongside plentiful opportunities to engage in child-initiated play with good support from the childminder. Children are comfortable, confident and contented in the childminder's care. They have a good relationship with the childminder and play well together for much of the time. Children are supported very well by the childminder who is aware of children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

individual stages of development and what she needs to do to help them progress. She is currently looking at how she can use the Birth to Three Matters Framework as an effective tool to help her monitor children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a sense of respect and kindness through the childminder encouraging them to share, think about others' feelings and take care with younger children. Positive behaviour is re-enforced through use of good techniques such as distraction, stickers and rewards for kind behaviour or good achievements and plenty of positive praise. Children independently access a variety of activities as they choose in child-initiated play and the childminder ensures that there are plenty of resources available for them to use. Consistency of care is supported very well through daily contact with parents, including verbal feedback, notice-boards and discussions about what children have been doing. The childminder acts as a link between school and home, relaying information as appropriate.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are supported very well by the childminder who continues to access appropriate training in order to develop her practice whilst caring for children. She is currently working on a Quality Assurance scheme and has highlighted areas where she thinks she needs to improve her childminding practice. The childminder is actively supporting other childminders in her role as a support mentor. The care, welfare and learning of children is supported effectively by documentation

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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 which is stored in good order and is maintained in line with requirements. Policies and procedures are in place and readily available to parents. They are updated regularly so that they continue to work in practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her knowledge of how to pass on any concerns about children with regard to child protection by accessing local Area Child Protection Committee contact numbers.

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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): • Update knowledge and understanding of current child protection procedures. • Continue to implement the use of Birth to Three Matters framework so that children's development is monitored effectively.

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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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