Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY248397 Inspection date 15 February 2006 Inspector Kathryn Mary Harding

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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 has been registered since 2002. He lives with his wife, who is also a registered childminder, and children in the Church Stretton area of Shropshire. The property is situated within walking distance of the local school, pre-schools and local amenities. The downstairs rooms are used for childminding purposes and consist of a kitchen /dining area, playroom and lounge. The shower room is on the ground floor and one bedroom and bathroom is used on the first floor. There is a large enclosed garden area available for outside play. The childminder is registered for six children under

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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 eight years and is currently caring for twelve children under five years and seven children over five years. The family has two cats and a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of the community childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder's good understanding and implementation of good hygiene practices, such as using disposable gloves when changing nappies, means that children are protected from the spread of infection. Hand washing techniques are displayed in the bathroom so encouraging children to wash their hands thoroughly. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet and talk about what foods are healthy to eat. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s choices to provide nutritious snacks, such as fruit, that appeal to the children and meet their dietary requirements. Children make decisions about what they want to eat and write the menu for the following week. Children are offered regular drinks such as sugar free juice and water so that they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a food hygiene certificate, so helping promote children's good health. Children enjoy and experience a wide range of activities both indoor and outdoor that enable them to develop their physical skills. They go for walks to the woods and forest school which all contribute to their physical development. They take part in craft activities and play with construction sets which help their fine control skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a homely, child-orientated environment. Children's own pictures, photographs, posters and paintings are displayed on the walls making the rooms more welcoming to parents and children. They have excellent opportunities to select from a broad range of good quality toys and resources, which are stored in labelled containers, so encouraging the children to make decisions about their play. The childminder takes time each day to identify and minimise potential risks to children both indoors and outdoors. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they practise fire drills and visit the fire station to talk with the fire officer about the dangers of fire. They have had a visit from a police officer to talk about road safety. The childminder has safety precautions in place such as fireguard and stair gates.

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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 However in the garden the children use the trampoline but written consent from the insurance company is not in place. The childminder has all the required documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has attended a workshop on child protection matters. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures which means that children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children engage in a wide range of activities which promote their overall development very well. They are happy, settled and interested to learn. Close and caring relationships between the childminder and the children have formed, which increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children develop positive relationships with each other as they work well together on the computer writing out their price list. The childminder has written loose plans of activities of themes. Photographs and observations are recorded ensuring the childminder can identify the next steps in the children's learning. Children learn about the environment as they help re-cycle their rubbish. The childminder ensures that children have good opportunities to develop social skills by taking them to toddler groups and to meet other minded children. In the play room resources are stored at child height and are easily accessible for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children. They choose and make decisions about their play, encouraging them to be independent learners. The childminder supports the children appropriately in their play. The childminder is just starting to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework and adapts activities to promote younger children’s learning, such as when making pictures with the spaghetti letting the children squeeze and roll it and talk about the texture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others is extended as the childminder has an excellent range of activities and resources to positively reflect diversity. Children look at different festivals and take part in activities linked in with the festival such as food tasting. The childminder has an extremely calm and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. As a result children behave very well and understand what is expected of them, so they know they have to take turns with the toys. Good behaviour is encouraged as the childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement to the children for their efforts. A superb partnership between the childminder, parents and external agencies

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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 ensures all work together in numerous ways to meet each child's needs. Children are valued, listened to and respected as individuals. They share responsibility for decisions about the setting and actively contribute to the setting. Prospective parents can view a prospectus and policies outlining the service offered. A book containing photographs showing what activities the children take part in and newsletters keep parents well informed about their child's day and future activities and outings. This ensures consistency of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a high regard for children's well-being and offers them a good level of support. This is enhanced as the children have three carers, as the childminder works with a co-minder and an assistant. The childminder is keen to enhance his practice and is prepared to attend training and workshops and has completed a NVQ III in caring for Children and Young People. The children are at home in the well organised environment and are confident to initiate their own play and learning. The childminder works well to promote children's health, enjoyment and achievement. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that children are cared for consistently. However, the register needs to contain more detail, so that it is clear which person is caring for the child. Confidentiality is maintained as all paperwork is stored in a locked filing cabinet. Overall children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Social Services Shropshire Disabilities Team raised concerns with regard to the care of one child with special needs. Originally this was passed to Ofsted for information purposes and the details of which were followed up by an unannounced visit 24 May 2005. Concerns raised relate to National Standard Care Learning and Play. As a result the inspector recommended no further action. Concerns raised in letter from Shropshire County Council Social Services department have been satisfactorily explained by the childminder. Shropshire County Council Social Services department had already addressed concerns and had taken no further action, but were requested by the childminder to contact Ofsted in writing. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure all safety precautions and paperwork is in place with regard to the use of the trampoline • ensure that the daily record of attendance makes it clear who is caring for the child.

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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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