Forsyth Carol Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 510180 Inspection date 09 February 2006 Inspector Juliette Jennings

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2000 and lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder at the same address, and their two children in the town of Shrewsbury, in Shropshire. She lives within the vicinity of various pre-school settings and schools and uses a car or walks to collect and deliver children to these facilities. The purpose-built playroom, the extension, rear garden, kitchen, living room, hall and downstairs bathroom are used for childminding. The rest of the house is registered but not often used. The children are accompanied when they play in the good sized front and rear gardens.

p.2

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 and an active member of local childminding groups. She regularly accesses local play and leisure facilities with the children in her care. She is registered to care for 6 children, or 12 when working with another childminder or an assistant, and is currently minding 22 children in total on a full-time or part-time basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. There are good procedures in place for ensuring that children's health and hygiene is promoted well. The environment that children use is clean, tidy and very well-maintained. Children are encouraged to be aware of their own personal hygiene, for example, through routines for toileting, keeping hands and faces clean after eating and discussion about the importance of keeping clean. In addition, information about child related issues are readily available on a notice board and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that there is a consistent approach to children's health. There are appropriate procedures in place for ensuring that parents are informed about administration of medication and about any accidents. Children have good access to outdoor activities, fresh air and light. They can independently access the garden as they wish during the better weather and enjoy

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

using the climbing equipment and slides. In addition, they walk frequently and have access to local activity areas to ensure they have opportunities to run, balance and climb on more challenging equipment to help develop their physical skills. Structured activities such as using playdough and colouring with pens encourages their manipulative skills. Children are encouraged to eat healthily from the choice provided by the childminder. Fruit, toast, sandwiches and yoghurts, for example, are enjoyed by children and they are developing good table manners through consistent routines implemented on a daily basis. The childminder's good awareness of likes and dislikes and any special dietary requirements helps children to eat well and in line with parental wishes. There is a comprehensive diet policy in place which is available to parents and clearly outlines how healthy eating is promoted within the setting.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The space that children use is colourful, interesting and organised well to suit their individual needs. The rooms that children use are safe, bright and effectively organised in order to allow them to move around safely both indoors and outdoors. Children enjoy a good range of resources and equipment which are all stored efficiently, in clear storage boxes that allow children to easily see what is available to them. There are very good procedures in place for ensuring that children remain safe and

p.3

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 secure at all times in this child-orientated environment. For example, regular fire drills are carried out, the rooms that children use are safe with no safety issues highlighted at this inspection and regular safety checks are carried out on the space, resources and equipment. In particular, the procedures for ensuring that children are secure in the childminder's care are very good and have been given much thought. The setting has a secure entry system so that anyone accessing the setting is noticed quickly. In addition, the outdoor area is secure and there are clear procedures for keeping children safe whilst on outings. Children are supervised very well whilst being given the independence they need to develop and learn. Children's welfare is promoted very well through regular access to first aid and child

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protection training. In particular, child protection training has been extensive and the childminder is active in updating her expertise in this area. This helps to ensure that the childminder would know what to do if she had a concern about any child. Child protection and accident policies are clear, detailed and available within the policy pack, thus enabling parents to have a clear understanding about procedures within the setting.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children happily access a good range of toys, activities and resources within an environment that encourages them to make choices about what they want to do. They enjoy role play, dressing up, cars, playdough, playstation games and looking at books. Children's overall development is promoted very well through appropriately structured activities, in addition to plentiful opportunities to engage in valuable child-initiated play with positive encouragement and interaction from the childminder. The introduction of the 'Birth to three matters' evaluation system will enable the childminder to formally monitor the children's progress. Children are comfortable, happy, confident and content in the childminder's care. They have a good relationship with her and play well for much of the time. Access to training means that she is aware of what she needs to do to help them progress.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's self-esteem is supported very well through a wealth of positive praise and encouragement of independence and choice. They know the simple rules of the setting and these are consistently reinforced where appropriate by the childminder. They enjoy an environment which supports a respectful ethos and good manners. Kindness and sharing is encouraged and this all helps to ensure that they are confident, happy and content in the care of the childminder. Behaviour management techniques are age-appropriate and are used in a way that children can understand. The clear policy outlines this for parents and rules are developed with the children which helps to ensure that they know and understand

p.4

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 them, for example, the manners tree and the house rules. The childminder is very aware of children's likes and dislikes and accommodates children's individual routines and specific needs well within the routine of the day. Children have access to a range of resources, toys and activities which helps them to develop an understanding of diversity and the world around them. Examples include books, small-world people, videos, posters and games which are all freely available to them on a daily basis. Trips out in the local environment and wider community as well as visitors into the setting help to ensure that children develop a sound awareness of the world around them. The partnership with parents is very good with a strong emphasis on a friendly, supportive and family ethos. Procedures are effective in ensuring that children are

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

cared for in line with parent's wishes and in a calm and consistent manner. Clear and detailed policies, clear information for parents and verbal feedback, either on collection or later by telephone, ensure that parents know what their children have been doing whilst in the childminder's care and are aware of any issues.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Paperwork is extremely well-organised, stored in very good order and maintained in line with requirements. This allows children's individual details to be readily available to enable consistency of care. Policies and procedures are extensive and regularly reviewed. These outline clearly the care provided for the children and how the childminder ensures that they are safe and secure whilst in her care. Parents have good access to these and are asked to sign to say that they have read them so that they know about the care provided for their children. The childminding space is very well-organised so that children have use of rooms which are child-orientated, comfortable and homely. The older children can enjoy a quieter space where they can participate in favourite activities. Younger children have good access to age-appropriate toys and resources in a colourful and stimulating

p.5

Organisation

space. The childminder is proactive in reviewing the environment and how she can develop the space so that children's needs continue to be met effectively. Access to training is excellent and ensures that the childminder keeps up-to-date with current childcare issues and good practice guidelines. She has developed her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues and is proactive in developing her practice to improve the care for the children. This, in turn, allows children to be cared for in an environment which is interesting, stimulating, exciting and child-orientated whilst still remaining welcoming, homely and comfortable. Overall the needs of the range of children are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to improve the range of resources available which promote positive images of diversity. Children now have

p.5

Improvements 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 good access to a wide range of activities and resources which promote positive images and help them to develop a greater understanding of the world around them.

p.5

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

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • improve further still the arrangements for good hygiene procedures in relation to nappy changing and/or food preparation.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6