Austin Janet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 223631 Inspection date 03 August 2005 Inspector Mary Anne Henderson

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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 1987. She lives in North Shropshire with her husband and grown up children. All areas of the house is made available for childminding purposes. There is a large outdoor garden for outdoor play. The childminder works with a co-minder who attends on a full-time basis. The family have a pet cat. The childminder walks or sometimes drives to take and collect children from school. She takes children on local outings shopping and to parks. The childminder is

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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 registered to care for 6 children on her own and up to 12 children when working with a co-childminder. Both childminders are currently caring for 17 children from under 2years to under 8years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a very good range of indoor and outdoor activities which contributes to their good health and well-being. They have a good understanding of simple hygiene procedures as they wash their hands before eating and following outdoor play. The children are beginning to have an understanding of a healthy diet. They visit the library with the childminder to find out about healthy food and they talk about healthy eating issues during meal times. They are provided with a very good range of nutritious food and drink throughout the day. Meals include meat, fish, pasta, vegetables and fruit. Menus are made available to the parents. Children's individual sleep and eating requirements are well met through positive relationships and ongoing verbal and written exchange of information between the childminder and the parents. This contributes well to consistency and continuity of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children undertake a broad range of interesting activities in the secure indoor and outdoor areas under close supervision of the childminder. There are always two childminders working together at the home, so children's immediate needs are well met at all times. Children independently select from a very good range of toys, resources and equipment which are checked regularly for hazards, suitable to their developmental needs, well maintained and conform to safety standards. The children are able to move around safely, freely and independently in this well organised environment. To ensure children's safety at all times, the childminder checks all areas before the children arrive to make sure all procedures are in place. Children's safety and welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has the required procedures in place, for example, she holds a current first aid certificate and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has a very good understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 The provision is outstanding. Children settle very well soon after arriving. They make themselves at home and they relate to others positively and socialise well with their peers and the childminder who offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere to them all. Children show excellent skills in independence as they confidently choose from a broad range of accessible toys, activities and equipment suitable to their age and stage of development. Children enjoy a broad range of creative activities on a regular basis, for example, painting, drawing and cut and glue activities. Children are excited and show great interest in what they do. They have access to an excellent range of indoor and outdoor equipment that encourages and extends their physical development and creative skills. They are beginning to have an

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

understanding of right and wrong and are able to manage their own behaviour very well, supported by the childminder. The children show good levels of self-esteem, use their initiative, ask questions and respond positively to challenge. They make the most of the accessible resources which encourages and extends their development in all areas of learning. The childminder supports children with their choices, interacts positively and extends their learning skills. To support children in their earliest years, the childminder has attended training on the Birth to three matters framework. She is currently working on compiling development files on children of all ages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children of all ages are encouraged to make their own choices from a range of interesting and challenging activities and resources, including resources that promote an understanding of the wider world. They enjoy a range of resources that positively promotes diversity including positive images of people with disabilities. There is planning in place to ensure children are encouraged to have an understanding of the wider world and diversity through exploration of a range of festivals. For example, children have explored Hanukah, Chinese new year, pancake day and a range of Christian festivals. The children learn about their local community as they go on visits, for example, they have taken part in the local harvest festival and visited the school sports day. Children's have a good sense of self-esteem as they confidently make choices about what they want to do. They have a good sense of belonging, however, this should be

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Helping children make a positive contribution

further fostered by valuing and displaying their work and photographs. Children's positive behaviour is promoted by the childminder who uses sound behaviour management strategies. For example, children are talked to in a manner which supports their development needs. The children are encouraged to take turns with the toys and resources and to have regard for others.

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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 Children's individual needs regarding sleep, eating and development are well met through very positive relationships and daily verbal and written exchange of information between the childminder and the parents. Parents have access to a range of policies in place to support the service.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are very well settled and at ease with the childminder who provides an open, warm and welcoming atmosphere for children and their parents. Children are confident and able to initiate their own play and learning as they make choices and receive appropriate developmental support. Adult to child ratios are good as there are always two childminders working at the setting. There is planning in place which supports the children's routines, care and learning very well. There are very positive relationships between the childminder and the parents. This contributes well to the care, welfare and learning of each child. The required documentation and procedures which contribute to children's health, safety and well-being are in place, updated and regularly reviewed. Parents have access to a good range of policies and procedures that support the service. However, the policies

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Organisation

should be further updated to include all elements as outlined in the National Standards and guidance, for example, the behaviour management policy should outline sanctions that may be used should bullying occur and the child protection policy should clearly outline what will happen should an accusation be made against a member of the household or a visitor. Overall the needs of all of the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection, the childminder was asked to address two recommendations. She was asked to seek written parental permission from parents prior to applying sun cream preparations and written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. She addressed this by compiling a form for parents to sign to give the required permission for sun cream and emergency treatment or advice. The children's needs are now well met as the childminder is able to apply sun cream preparations to protect them from the sun and she can seek emergency medical treatment or advice should an emergency occur with the children in her care.

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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 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): • further promote children's sense of belonging by valuing and displaying their work • further update policies to include all elements as outlined in the National Standards and guidance.

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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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