Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 204746 Inspection date 08 February 2006 Inspector Donna Stevens

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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 outstanding. 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two teenage children. They live in a house situated in Kidderminster which is within walking distance of local schools and amenities. Several rooms of the split level property are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two cats. The childminder is currently registered to care for six children under the age of eight years when working alone and when working with an assistant may care for up to eight children of whom no more than six may be under the age of five. The

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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 childminder attends the local carer and toddler group for minded children on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is superbly promoted because they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned daily routines. They are encouraged to wash their hands after they play in the garden, before and after mealtimes, after using the toilet and at other times when their hands may be dirty. Older children washed their hands without being asked and were aware of why they were washing their hands. There are very good arrangements in place if children become unwell or need to be given medication. As a result children receive excellent care. The childminder has an excellent understanding of food nutrition and she gives a high priority to ensuring that children's individual needs and tastes are provided for, particularly in relation to any allergy or other dietary requirements. Children are developing their independence as they choose from a variety of nutritious and filling

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks and choose what they would like to eat at lunchtime. Meals are prepared using fresh and organic ingredients and children are fully encouraged to become involved in all areas of food preparation. They also become involved in a variety of cooking activities, learn the importance of healthy eating and are encouraged to taste new foods. Children have wonderful opportunities for physical exercise. They make regular trips to the surrounding countryside, forests and parks. Here they are given the opportunity to move about freely, to explore and climb. Children are able to enjoy a wide selection of outdoor toys in the garden. As a result children are making very good physical progress.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very clean, well maintained and safe home. Toys and equipment are of a high standard and are continuously checked for wear and tear and cleanliness. As a result children can play safely and independently with an extensive range of resources. Children are very well supervised and benefit greatly from carefully thought out and well-planned outings and visits. Their safety is paramount and they are encouraged to be aware of dangers both inside and outside the home such as fire safety and crossing the road. Children learn to keep themselves safe by tidying up toys, not climbing on furniture and being careful around younger children. Children are very well protected from possible abuse or neglect. There is an excellent clear up-to-date written policy that is understood by the childminder and shared with

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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 parents. The childminder regularly attends training in this area and is fully aware of the types of abuse and appropriate action to take if she is concerned about a child in her care. As a result children are kept safe and their welfare is of prime concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children take part in a wide range of high-quality activities during their time with the childminder. Children are very confident in the setting and in their relationship with the minder, there is continuous positive interaction between them. The children's skills, learning and language are expanded through careful explanations, practical demonstrations, encouragement and praise. The childminder has attended training in 'Birth to three matters' and the Foundation Stage and uses both in her planning of activities to further improve the children's progress and achievements. Children are very happy in the setting and describe with great enthusiasm the activities that they enjoy. They enjoy planting seeds and bulbs, painting and sticking, cooking and play with natural materials such as sand and water. Children are able to enjoy an excellent variety of play opportunities which extend their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

creativity, develop their imagination and help them become independent learners. These opportunities are extended outside the home through well-planned outings and visits. These experiences are shared with parents on a daily basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly valued as individuals. They develop a very positive attitude to others and gain an excellent understanding about the wider world and community through access to a good range of play and resources which encourage positive images of culture, ethnicity and gender. The individual needs of all children who attend are very well met. Children behave very well. They are encouraged to understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and age appropriate methods which are used to manage behaviour. These include calm explanations, distraction and the use of time out. The childminder encourages children to resolve their own differences which help them to learn to share and take turns and to be tolerant of others. Partnership with parents and carers is excellent. Children benefit from close communication between parents and the childminder. As well as talking to parents at

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the end of each day the childminder completes a daily diary of how children have spent their time and this goes home in a folder along with art work to allow the children to share their experiences with their parents. The childminder has two large puppets which the children take it in turns to take home for the weekends. They complete a diary of how the puppets have spent their time with the children's families. This further strengthens the link between the child's family and their time spent with the childminder, and children's confidence and self esteem is nurtured in an

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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 exceptional way.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit because of the childminder's excellent organisation. She plans days so that there is a variety of high quality activities and opportunities for the children both in and out of the home. The play space is well laid out to ensure children have plenty of room to play. Children are encouraged to choose their own toys and activities and help in the planning of what they would like to do over the coming weeks. This ensures that children are able to make choices, self initiate play and develop their own ideas. Children's individual welfare, care and learning needs are well met because of the superb supporting documentation kept. All required records are kept up-to-date, confidentially stored and available to share with parents. Policies and procedures are of a high standard and have been carefully thought out with the children's safety, well-being and enjoyment being paramount. Children benefit from the childminder's

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Organisation

commitment to training which enables her to keep up-to-date with current ideas. For example, her expertise in 'Birth to three matters' has a very positive impact on children's learning and development. Overall the need for of all children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that all accident and medication records were signed by parents. There is now a system in place to ensure that this is maintained. As a result children's welfare is given a high priority.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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