Taylor Patricia

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 205010 Inspection date 29 July 2005 Inspector Saida Cummings

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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 satisfactory. 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 childminding since 1993 and works with assistants. She lives with her husband and three adult children in a detached house on the outskirts of Worcester city. There are local parks, shops, fields, pre-schools and schools within walking distance. The main areas used for childminding are situated on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed large rear garden available for outside play. Children are also taken on local visits and outings, including regular attendance at local Parent and Toddler groups. The family have no 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 has attended appropriate childminding and first aid training. She also holds an NVQ level 3 qualification in childcare and attends the local childminding group meetings. The childminder supports children with special needs, and is currently minding 8 children under 5 years and 13 children over 5 years on a part-time basis. Children are walked or transported to and from the local pre-school group and primary school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to clean, well-maintained areas. They are made aware of the hygiene procedures. However, at times the children do not wash their hands after toileting and before eating. The risk of infection to children is reduced as the childminder notifies parents of the guidelines followed and children are not cared for if they have an infectious illness. The childminder has appropriate systems in place for administering medications and recording any accidents. Children enjoy nutritious and healthy meals, which are discussed and planned with parents to ensure all their individual dietary needs and preferences are met. Any children with specific dietary needs or preferences are catered for. Their independence is fostered as they are encouraged to feed themselves. Meal and snack times are organised so that all children sit together and use this as a social time. Children are starting to develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles as they participate

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Helping children to be healthy

in outdoor play activities and make choices about their food and drink. They regularly use a very large outdoor play area with various climbing apparatus and play equipment, which enables them to run, jump, slide and develop their physical skills. They also enjoy regular outings to local playing fields, picnics and walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and family-friendly environment. They are able to access spacious indoor and outdoor areas, which are adapted for their use. This includes use of a specific playroom and an adjoining conservatory which is purely used for childcare. Children have a choice of play equipment and resources. They are able to self-select from a wide variety, which is stored in boxes and shelving located at their own heights. Safety is taken into consideration when planning where suitable toys and materials are stored to ensure young children are not able to reach any unsuitable items, such as scissors or small pieces of play equipment. Children's independence is encouraged and they are able to make free choices throughout the session. However, they are not always fully supervised, especially at times when all the children use the designated different areas and the childminder or

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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 assistants are not able to see them. The areas used by children have been made safe by ensuring age-appropriate safety items are in place. Children are made aware of the emergency evacuation procedure, which is regularly practised. Although there are sufficient adults available to work with the children, on one occasion the required adult to child ratio was not met. Children are kept safe as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues, and has completed appropriate training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a broad range of activities which are adapted depending on their ages and stages of development. They are able to select play activities easily. Children are settled within the environment. They are encouraged to be independent and choose all their activities. No specific activities are planned as the childminder feels children should be able to always make their own free choices. However, at times this results in some children not being fully occupied and not engaging in purposeful play activities. Children have the opportunity to go on local visits and outings. This includes regular attendance at local Parent and Toddler groups, where they have the opportunity to socialise with other children of the same age and take part in group activities such as singing. They are able to develop their physical skills to extend their abilities as they regularly use the extensive outdoor play equipment. Young children are also able to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

use the large play equipment, such as the trampoline, when being fully supervised. Children are given opportunities to explore and use their imagination as they are able to extend their play by use of a wide variety of appropriate play equipment. School-aged children are given opportunities to make free choices about the types of activities they want to take part in. The childminder takes time to find out what interests each child, and builds on this information to provide a variety of opportunities to ensure their preferences are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are treated equally and have equal access to resources and activities. This includes access to a range of resources to promote their awareness of diversity. The childminder understands equal opportunities and special needs issues and ensures these are incorporated into the care provided. She fully discusses any specific needs with the parents to ensure these are met. Children respond well to the childminder's approach to any behavioural issues. Their positive behaviour is encouraged and praised. However, at times there are some behavioural issues due to the lack of organisation and ensuring children are kept fully occupied. The childminder shares and agrees the behaviour management policy with

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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 all the parents. Children are settled in on a gradual basis which is fully planned with the parents to ensure enough time is allowed. Children's individual needs are satisfactorily met as the childminder ensures full discussions are initially held with parents and that she is able to meet all requirements as outlined. Further discussions are held on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is committed to updating her knowledge and understanding, and attends various appropriate training events. Children's needs are generally met through some effective organisation. A weekly time-table includes a vast amount of visits, outings and visitors. Children are able to interact with many other children and are able to build on their confidence and social skills. The childminder has devised a satisfactory system for keeping all required documentation. However, the registration system does not always clearly show that the required adult to child ratios are met. Parents are able to view the childminder's documentation, such as the registration certificate and insurance details, as these are made available at all times. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to review the registration system and to practise the emergency evacuation procedure with the children. Children now have the opportunity to regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure. This is also logged in a specific book. The childminder has developed the registration system to include children's arrival and departure times, and to record all adults caring for children. However, this needs further development as the timings of when the assistants are present are not recorded, and therefore, it is difficult to ascertain that the required adult to child ratios are met at all times. Children benefit from the improved system of keeping appropriate records. Their awareness and understanding of keeping themselves safe has also improved through regular emergency evacuation practices.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 01 April 2005, Ofsted have received one complaint relating to National Standard 2: Organisation, and National Standard 6: Safety. Concerns were raised regarding the number of children being cared for by the childminder whilst visiting local Parent and Toddler groups.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Ofsted requested the provider to report about the incidents. The provider reported back outlining the different occasions when she visited local Parent and Toddler groups with childminded children. On these occasions she was accompanied by a friend who took charge and responsibility for her own child and another friend's child. She also provided written statements from these people to confirm this, and copies of the registers showing how the ratios are met. This issue was also followed up during this inspection, where documents were checked and discussions held with the childminder concerning the number of children cared for. We found that the childminder had, on once occasion, exceeded the number of children specified in her conditions of registration by one child aged under

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Complaints since the last inspection

five, but had not exceeded the total number of children she may care for. Ofsted issued the provider with a warning that she must remain within the conditions of her registration at all times. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • further develop the registration system to clearly show that the adult to child ratios are met at all times, • review the organisation of how adults work with the children, so that they are fully occupied and activities for children are purposeful, • review the organisation of the provision to ensure that children are always supervised, • improve safety to children by ensuring the required adult to child ratios are adhered to at all times, • support children to develop an awareness and understanding of good hygiene practices by encouraging them to wash their hands after toileting and before eating.

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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:

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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 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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