Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 205077 Inspection date 22 February 2006 Inspector Anne Georgina Phillips

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and their 15 and 17 year old daughters. They live in a house in a residential area of Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire. It is adjacent to open countryside and is within walking distance of the town centre, playgroups, nurseries, schools, parks and play areas. The whole of the ground floor, the first floor bathroom and the rear enclosed garden are used for childminding. A vehicle is available to transport children. The family have a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for up to 4 children under 8 years at any one

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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 time. She is currently minding 8 children who attend on a full or part time basis. She belongs to the National Childminding Association. There are frequent opportunities for children to meet other children and there are daily outings and walks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute positively to their good health. There are daily opportunities both in and outdoors for children to be active and gain control of their bodies. They enjoy daily outings to parks, shops and places of interest such as the local town centre and riverside to feed the ducks. They move freely indoors and play outside in the garden when the weather is fine. Younger children join in readily because the childminder has a good understanding of their developmental needs and provides activities that encourage them to acquire new skills. For example, they proficiently pour juice from a small teapot into a cup to help themselves to a drink at lunch time. Children benefit from a clean, well kept and warm home. Daily routines and attention to the cleanliness of equipment ensures that children are well protected from infection. They are developing an understanding of good personal hygiene when

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Helping children to be healthy

washing their hands thoroughly before eating and after using the toilet. They talk about germs and where they might be. Children are well nourished, enjoying sociable, relaxed snack and meal times with the childminder. These meet their individual dietary needs and parent’s wishes well. They are starting to learn the importance of healthy eating when making choices about their lunches which include marmite, yoghurts, dried and fresh fruit. They join the childminder’s family to eat a freshly cooked wholesome meal with meat and vegetables.

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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 safe and secure environment. Good attention to the reduction of risks helps to keep children safe and protected from harm. Space is well thought out so that children can move around freely accessing toys and resources. Children are very well supervised and are developing a growing understanding of how to think and act safely. They learn to wear seat belts in the car, be careful around animals, and hold hands and look out for cars when walking or crossing the road with the childminder. They know that it is important for hot drinks to be kept out of reach of toddlers. Children benefit from access to a good range of resources that interest and challenge them. They make choices from a wide, well balanced selection presented accessibly to them at floor level around the room. All equipment is clean, sturdy, and attractive. A high priority is given to its safety and suitability for children's age and stage of

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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 There are well thought out procedures to protect children in case of emergency such as clear escape plans which are discussed with the children but these have not yet been practised. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are making very good progress. They are very happy, settled, secure, and confident. They relate well to each other and have a warm, friendly and responsive relationship with the childminder who takes time to find out what interests each child. She builds on this information to plan and provide a variety of activities and opportunities to promote children's progress very effectively. Children are interested and involved in the wide range of varied activities available. They are keen to communicate as well as alert and interested in the environment and the world around them. They notice frogs in the garden and how the juice moves up and down in a straw. They enthusiastically develop imaginative play themes, acting out a trip around a wildlife park in the play bus, and making each other laugh heartily when pretending to roar like a lion or chasing after the pretend food thrown for the animals from the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

bus. The childminder consistently and positively interacts with the children to extend their language and learning, and encourage their thinking by talking about their fears and involving them in outings to the shops with lists of things to find. Children also learn by participating in many day-to-day domestic routines such as tidying away toys and activities. Children are developing independence. They are able to access resources for themselves, use their initiative and are starting to take responsibility for their personal care and putting a food wrapper in the bin without being reminded.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a balanced range of activities and resources that promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, they learn about people with different experiences to themselves and explore their local surroundings and community on routine outings to shops, parks and wildlife areas. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They behave very well in response to warm, patient care and clear consistent handling and praise. They have warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and each other, showing concern, sharing and playing well together. Children are well settled, they confidently make choices about their play, personal care and accessing drinks. They have time to relax as well be active. Close, long standing relationships with parents and very effective verbal and written

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Helping children make a positive contribution

systems for gathering and sharing information about children's needs contribute

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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 positively to these being met and parents being well informed about what children do.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are very happy and at home in the well resourced and organised environment which is accessible and welcoming to them. The available space is planned effectively so that children can play safely and freely. They confidently initiate and choose their own activities. The childminder is very experienced, knowledgeable and interested in children. She is undertaking a National Vocational Qualification level 3 course in childcare and implementing ‘Birth to three matters’ to update her knowledge and enhance the experiences available to children. She organises her time well so that she is able to play, talk and respond to children to meet their individual and additional needs developing their learning and understanding. She is well prepared with carefully thought out practices and procedures that contribute positively to keeping children safe and providing them with an interesting and stimulating environment.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and welfare is in place. It is well kept, presented and stored. The childminder does not administer medication but has agreed to put documentation in place. Written parental permission has not been obtained for some vehicle journeys. The attendance record includes children’s arrival and departure times but it is not completed promptly and recent changes to legislation about complaints recording have not yet been implemented. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following a recommendation made at the previous inspection, children’s knowledge of the wider community has been enhanced by their improved access to positive images of diversity in the toys and resources their see and use.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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.

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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

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 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): • improve children’s safety by ensuring that emergency escape plans are practised regularly • improve documentation to ensure that: all the required parental consents have been secured; children’s attendance is recorded promptly; the new complaints procedures are in place.

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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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