Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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223740 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2006 Inspection date Olwen Pulker Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 has been registered since 1991. She lives with her two adult children in a suburb of Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time when working on her own. When an assistant is present this number is increased to 8 children. She is currently minding 13 children aged between 12 months and 9 years; all of whom, except 1, attend part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local carer/toddler group. The family has rabbits and tortoises as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has an NVQ Level 3 qualification in Early Years Childcare and Education. She is a member of an approved childminding network and of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a clean and well maintained home where they learn to follow appropriate hygiene and care routines, for example washing their hands before meals, after using the toilet or playing outside. The children are protected from the risk of infection through the childminder's awareness of health care matters and the implementation of related policies and procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. There are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example as they dig in the sand and ride on wheeled toys. Garden games and strenuous play during regular visits to the indoor activity barn improve children's physical skills. Children are able to rest or be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn about healthy diets as the childminder encourages them to eat fruit daily and to regulate their intake of crisps or corn snacks. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children's choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in the spacious home. The environment is welcoming and space is appropriately organised so that children can play safely. They independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Children have access to the necessary facilities to ensure that they are able to eat and rest comfortably.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and maintain children's safety outside the home; they learn about road safety as they go for walks. Children know what to do in the event of a fire as they practise the emergency evacuation procedure regularly. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a variety of toys, activities and equipment suitable to their ages and stages of development. They are encouraged and supported to initiate their own play and learning ideas, for example the older children involve the younger ones in their role play. Children's overall development is promoted well through appropriately planned and structured activities alongside plentiful opportunities to engage in child-initiated play with encouragement,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 support and positive interaction from the childminder. A wide range of activities is available to children, which promote creative expression, such as model making, drawing and painting. Children are developing independence and self-esteem by selecting their activities and taking responsibility for tidying away toys. Children form positive relationships as they share and play cooperatively together. Younger children extend their social skills further by attending carer and toddler groups. Children become confident communicators; they are well supported by the childminder, she encourages children to broaden their experiences and enjoys listening and talking to them. Children delight in recalling and sharing past events in their home lives and times spent with the childminder. Children are able to broaden their experiences and enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

outings to places of their choice, for example, the seaside, farms and animal parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources such as dolls, small-world people, books and posters to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children learn about their local community on their daily walks and trips to local attractions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive support and encouragement to effectively develop their understanding of what is right and wrong. They learn mutual respect as they play together, sharing and taking turns. Children build a trusting relationship with the childminder which fosters their sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Parents are kept appropriately informed about their children's well-being and development, mainly through daily discussions. The positive partnerships developed ensures that the childminder and parents work together to meet the needs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. They are confident to make choices about their own activities and develop their own play and learning with effective support from the childminder to help them feel secure.

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Organisation

Children's safety and welfare is promoted well as the childminder regularly attends training courses to further extend and update her knowledge of childcare and education.

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Organisation

The required documentation, comprehensive policies and procedures which promote children's health, safety and well-being are in place and shared with parents. However, times of children's arrival and departure are not recorded promptly.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved children's safety by fitting electrical sockets with socket covers to ensure that children cannot access them.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • ensure the attendance register is maintained effectively.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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