Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 223663 Inspection date 20 July 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 lives with her husband and two of their three sons, who are all teenagers or older. The family has a cat and goldfish as pets. Areas of the house used for minding are the lounge, the kitchen, the study and the conservatory which includes a toilet cubicle. The first floor is not used for minding. There is a good size rear garden which has a patio area, which is visible from the kitchen, study and conservatory. The childminder has a Level 3 NVQ qualification in Early Years Childcare and

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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 Education. She is an established childminder, having been registered since 1991 and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment which is clean and hygienic, yet homely. Good procedures for hygiene are available for parents to see and reflect what is happening on a daily basis. Children know that they need to wash their hands before lunch and after using the toilet and describe how they need to put soap on their hands and use water. Children have very good access to outdoor activities, fresh air and light. They independently access the garden as they wish and enjoy running games, playing with hoops and climbing activities to help develop their physical skills. There are appropriate procedures in place for recording and informing parents of children's accidents and administration of medication. Children mostly enjoy their snacks and lunch, with the childminder good at encouraging them to eat healthily from the range of food that is provided by parents. The childminder will provide food if required. Drinks of juice or water are readily

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Helping children to be healthy

available at all times in children's own cups. Children are regularly reminded to have a drink and they know where their cups are so that they can access them whenever they wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy an environment which is largely safe and secure. There was one safety issue highlighted at inspection in relation to one trailing curtain cord which was accessible to children. A risk assessment has been completed on the new conservatory room which is used as the playroom, ensuring that it is a safe space for children to play. There are good procedures in place for ensuring that children's welfare is promoted. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues, with a clear written policy which is available to parents. She accesses regular training to ensure that she is up-to-date in her knowledge of current procedures and guidelines, so she would know what to do if she had a concern about a child. In addition, First Aid training is accessed on a regular basis to ensure that she can deal effectively with children's accidents. Arrangements for fire safety are in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

line with requirements. An evacuation procedure is available in the areas that children use. The space that children enjoy is stimulating, colourful and exciting. They can easily access their resources from low-level storage units which are safe. The room that children spend much of their time in is light and spacious and has specific areas for play so that children can be quieter or engage in more active play. In addition, children have access to specific equipment which enables them to engage in

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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 activities and develop their own independence safely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder actively engages with the children and interacts with them enthusiastically. Children are very obviously extremely happy, secure and confident in the environment. They are supported very well in their play, with the childminder encouraging them to extend their learning through valuable, child-initiated play and discussion. Children play very well together and are supported to engage in cooperative play, develop their imagination and build on familiar experiences by linking two activities, for example when role-playing in the kitchen - cooking the playdough food in the microwave. The range of resources is extensive, colourful, exciting, stimulating and all available at low-level so that they can easily access whatever they choose to play with. Children have excellent opportunities to explore, investigate and develop in free-play, with excellent support from the childminder who is interacting with them for much of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the time, though is aware of when it is important to observe. They can easily access their favourite activities and develop role-play over a period of time. Children's individual development is monitored so that the childminder can plan to provide specific activities to help them develop further. This helps to ensure that children have excellent opportunities to progress in all areas of development within an environment that allows a good mixture of child-led play and structured, focused activities. They benefit from a wide range of trips out, such as walks, trips to the park, adventure type play areas and other local attractions and childminding groups. This enables them to socialise with other children and adults and experience a great variety of opportunities within a period of time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder is very aware of children's likes and dislikes and accommodates children's individual routines and specific needs very well within the routine of the day. She is proactive in working closely with parents to ensure a consistent care approach for children in her care. Children's independence is encouraged in many activities, they are supported very well to make decisions about what they want, shown certain skills so that they can do it for themselves and have time to develop relationships and play cooperatively. Positive images of diversity are evident in all areas, for example in posters, books, themed activities, toys and resources. Children and their parents benefit from a consistent care approach. This is enabled through daily, detailed verbal or written feedback, clear policies and procedures, documentation which is well maintained and in line with requirements and a relaxed,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

supportive and homely environment. Children and their parents are supported very well. Children are well-behaved, busy and occupied. They are encouraged to be kind and

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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 share and are supported to develop respect and good manners. The childminder is good at using appropriate techniques such as distraction, discussion and role-modelling to promote positive behaviour. The children are aware of simple rules and boundaries, with the childminder consistently applying these in a child-friendly manner.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder accessing a range of training so that she is up-to-date with childcare issues and has an awareness of good practice which she can implement within the setting. Children receive good support from the childminder, who ensures that she maintains a good adult to child ratio. Detailed policies and procedures are in place which reflect the practice within the setting and work in practice. Parents are given an outline of these within the information for parents leaflet. Other documentation which ensures children are looked after according to the wishes of parents are well-maintained, stored confidentially and in line with requirements. Children have benefited from the addition of extra play space and the childminder continues to think about what she can do to improve the quality of care that she provides. Overall the needs of all of the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection there were some trailing leads in the lounge. These have been tied together so that they are safe and children cannot easily access them. In addition, there was a socket uncovered. This was covered and the childminder has ensured that extra sockets in the conservatory have been fitted with permanent covers so that sockets are always inaccessible to children. At the homechildcaring approval visit, the childminder was asked to access a copy of the homechildcaring booklet. A copy was accessed, but the booklet not completed due to the fact that the homechildcaring service was not continued.

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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): • make sure that the curtain cord is inaccessible to children.

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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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