Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY217014 Inspection date 26 April 2005 Inspector Jill Hunn

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 satisfactory. 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 April 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and eight in a house in Brackley close to the local schools and the town centre. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with toilet and sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight and two children over eight on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and

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 collect children. She takes children to the local park and library. The family has a hamster and tropical fish.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children regularly take part in outdoor activities which promote their good health, for example walks to the park and library and activities in the garden. Children develop their physical skills as they manoeuvre wheeled toys, climb on the equipment in the garden, play ball games and balance on the see-saw in the park. Children are cared for in a very warm and clean home. They learn the importance of good hygiene and take responsibility for their own personal care as they wash their hands before eating, after craft activities and after using the toilet. Younger children begin to understand that using soap to wash their hands helps to keep them healthy by getting rid of germs. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's up to date knowledge of first aid procedures. Children become aware of the need to eat certain foods, such as fresh fruit to help them grow and develop. They are able to help themselves to drinks throughout the

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

session and understand that their bodies need regular fluids, particularly after active outdoor play.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised environment where active steps are taken to prevent dangerous situations both indoors and when out of the home. Children begin to take responsibility for themselves as they learn how to use the climbing frame in the garden safely and how to cross the road safely when walking to school. Children are able to choose and use the range of good quality toys and play materials independently to initiate their own play and learning. The childminder monitors activities to ensure they are suitable and meet children's individual needs. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has satisfactory knowledge of local child protection procedures.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. They are interested in activities and concentrate well, for example, when making models out of playdough. Children enjoy a range of developmentally appropriate activities such as sponge painting, jigsaws, and role play in the 'kitchen' and 'supermarket'. They develop their

p.3

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 physical skills through outdoor play in the garden and trips to the park and library. However, opportunities for pre-school children to become involved in more extended and challenging activities are sometimes limited because of their part-time hours of attendance. Older children choose games and activities based around their interests both indoors and outside during a more relaxed session at the end of the school day and during holidays. All children develop their independence as they choose from the range of accessible toys and activities.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met as their parents' wishes about their care are followed during daily routines. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem as they make choices and decisions by selecting toys to play with, helping themselves to drinks and packing away after activities. Children learn what is expected of them from the guidelines set and they behave well. They begin to share and play together as they are encouraged to take turns during role play activities and games. Children develop some awareness of diversity as they play with the resources that include some positive images of culture, gender and disability.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the effective use of space inside the home and in the garden. This enables activities to be provided to meet the needs of varying age groups, particularly at the end of the school day and during holidays. Children are able to choose toys and resources from attractive low level storage systems and develop their own ideas as they play. Pre-school children are content and at ease as they are given sufficient adult support in a secure and homely environment. Documentation is in place to promote children's care and welfare but some records do not contain the necessary detail. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved children's safety by practicing her emergency fire evacuation plan and children's health and welfare by improving record keeping. The childminder now maintains a record of accidents and obtains written parental consent for the administration of medicines to children. However, she has not obtained written parental consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment or developed her written agreement with parents to include information about activities provided. These issues have been taken forward as recommendations from this inspection.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • request written parental consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • develop the written agreement with parents to include information about activities provided.

p.5

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.5

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.5