Childminder in Herefordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY285750 Inspection date 05 December 2005 Inspector Deborah Ball

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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 2004. She lives with her child aged 13 years, on the outskirts of the city of Hereford. The whole of the property is used for childminding with exception of the main bedroom. The garden is excluded from registration. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part-time basis. The family have a dog and a goldfish.

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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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained house. They have a developing understanding of good health and hygiene practice. Children benefit from good quality hand washing resources and facilities and respond well to gentle explanations from the childminder about how to effectively wash their hands at the appropriate times. All of the children's needs are well met, with care tailored to meet their individual rest, feeding and toileting routines. Children enjoy a good range of activities that contribute to their good health. Although the garden is not currently in use, they have frequent opportunities to improve their physical skills when playing actively inside and outdoors when visiting local parks and play areas. Visits to a local soft play facility further improves children's physical skills as they are able to play on larger apparatus suitable for their age and stage of

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Helping children to be healthy

development. Babies and younger children are sensitively supported when learning to crawl and walk. The childminder does not presently provide meals for the children, however their welfare is safeguarded through her appropriate hygiene procedures when handling the children's packed meals. Nutritious snacks, for example fruit, are provided daily. The children's independence is fostered as they access drinks freely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because the indoor environment is safe, secure and child friendly. The childminder is proactive in identifying and minimising potential hazards and completes visual risk assessments throughout the day, which allows the children to move around safely, freely and independently. The children’s awareness of safety issues is continuously developed through every day activities within the home and during outings, for example, use of road safety awareness and highlighting hazards such as water. Children are interested and challenged by the resources available to them. They are able to freely choose from a wide range of toys, which promote all areas of their learning and development. Positive steps are taken to ensure that toys and resources are suitable for the ages of children being cared for and are regularly cleaned to ensure that they are hygienic for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder has a clear understanding of the child protection procedures and is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care. Parents are made aware of these procedures so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns about their 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. The children enjoy a balanced and varied range of activities and games that support all areas of their learning and development. They enjoy attending and spending time with the childminder and are keen and eager to learn. Children are confident to initiate their own play and communicate their wants and needs to the childminder. The daily routine is tailored to meet the needs of individual children and they benefit from the childminder's caring and attentive approach to ensuring that their needs are well met. The children enjoy regular visits to a local soft play facility and are able to socialise with wider groups of children when they meet with other local childminders and the children in their care. Children are making good developmental progress. This is due to the childminder's knowledge of child development and the observations that she makes to ensure that children enjoy and achieve through the range of activities provided. Children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encouraged to make the most of their experiences and their interest is further stimulated with simple questions which encourage them to think. They respond positively to the praise and encouragement offered to them. Children have opportunities to develop early mathematical skills such as counting objects during play and benefit from lots of involvement and interaction from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected and valued as individuals, their needs are well met and their individual likes and dislikes are well catered for. They have the opportunity to learn about the needs of others and are encouraged to acknowledge differences in an open and honest environment. Children learn about the wider world through play with resources that promote positive images of diversity and by celebrating festivals such as Christmas and Easter. The childminder is not currently caring for children with special needs, but is aware of the support that is available to help her provide appropriate care to individual children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well and are rewarded for their positive behaviour with praise and encouragement. They have formed good relationships with the childminder and each other and confidently seek her support and comfort. They are happy and at ease in her company. Children's understanding of right from wrong is developed as they respond to gentle but consistent reminders to care for the environment, the resources and each other. Positive relationships have been formed with the parents and their views and wishes are sought and respected. Parents are kept well informed about the activities offered to the children and the progress that their child is making through regular verbal exchanges of information.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable and stimulating environment and benefit significantly from the childminder's ongoing commitment to improving her practice through training. The home is effectively organised to ensure that children are always well cared for and they benefit from plenty of room to play and rest. Toys and resources are readily available to children, who are able to access their playthings with ease. All of the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place, with the exception of written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. All documents are carefully stored, well organised and effectively maintained. They are regularly reviewed and are only accessed by the childminder, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been 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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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 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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