Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY227380 Unique Reference Number 20 June 2006 Inspection date Cheryl Wilson Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 satisfactory. 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two young children aged four and six years in the market town of Worksop in North Nottinghamshire. The family keep two pet dogs. Most areas of the home are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for six children from 20 months to five years on a part-time basis. Children mainly attend before and after school or nursery. The childminder is able to provide overnight care for one child at any one time. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene through the daily routines. They wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet to ensure they stay healthy. Children dry their hands on individual clean flannels to prevent cross infection. Children's good health is further protected as they are cared for in a suitably clean and hygienic environment. The childminder ensures that the pet dogs do not pose a hazard to minded children as their feeding bowls are kept out of reach and they play in an area of the garden that is not accessed by the children. All children are appropriately cared for if they become ill as parents are fully informed of the sickness exclusion policy. Young children rest and sleep according to their needs as the childminder follows their usual routines. Detailed records are maintained regarding accidents and these are shared with parents to ensure they are fully informed of children's health. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder has attended training in first aid in the past but her certificate is no longer valid to ensure children's needs can be fully met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to be active. They walk to and from school. They often visit the local woodland parks to enjoy the fresh air and freedom to exert themselves. Children spend a lot of time outside in the garden where they enjoy using the good range of equipment such as swings, climbing frames, cars, go-carts, motorised toys, scooters, paddling pool and sand-pit. As a result children improve their coordination, climbing and balancing skills. Children enjoy nutritious foods such as fruit and vegetables as part of their daily snacks and meals. They are aware of the importance of keeping themselves well hydrated as they access drinks independently through the daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a suitably safe and secure environment as potential hazards are minimised. They practise the emergency evacuation plan to ensure they are fully aware of what to do in the event of a fire. Children receive appropriate levels of supervision indoors, outside and during outings to protect their well-being. They learn to keep themselves safe as they hold the childminder's hand when out on walks and follow the simple rules of looking and listening when crossing roads. Children are satisfactorily protected from harm as the childminder has a suitable knowledge of her responsibilities with regard to reporting any child protection concerns. She has gained a copy of the government guidelines 'What To Do If You're Worried a Child Is Being Abused', to confirm her practice, in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have places to play, rest and eat as areas used for childminding are effectively organised to meet their needs. Children confidently choose the toys, books and equipment they wish to play with. They spread these around the floor, happily engaged in their play. The childminder regularly checks all the play materials to ensure children stay safe.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to access a broad range of play opportunities that are appropriately matched to their stage of development. The home is organised well to provide a stimulating environment that fosters children's imagination and curiosity as learners. Children make choices from a wide selection of toys in the kitchen, bedrooms and lounge. Further play materials such as books, craft and drawing materials are readily available to them in accessible storage trolleys, baskets and low shelves. Toddlers show confidence in their environment as they collect a tent and tunnel and indicate to the childminder that they want these to be set up for play. They then spend time crawling through the equipment and hiding, popping out to surprise their peers. Young children's language is developing well because the childminder talks with them as they play, using her knowledge of child development to introduce new words and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encourage their talk through open ended questions. Young children regularly choose books to share with each other and they are keen to listen to stories. Children demonstrate good relationships with the childminder and enjoy regular cuddles to meet their emotional needs when they are missing their parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The well planned daily routine takes account of children's individual needs for rest and meals. Children have opportunities to be outdoors and experience the world around them. Their social skills are fostered through regular opportunities to mix and socialise with other children when they meet up with other local childminders and their minded children. This provides them with experiences of being part of a larger group and helps them to begin to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the relaxed and friendly environment. They develop good relationships with the childminder and each other. Young children enjoy comfort and cuddles to support their emotional well-being. All children's good behaviour is actively fostered by the childminder's positive reinforcement and praise. They receive appropriate intervention and encouragement when playing together to enable them to share fairly. Satisfactory systems are in place to include children with additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about some aspects of the wider world through using a limited range of books and play materials that represent positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability. Children begin to develop positive attitudes towards similarities and differences as they take part in craft activities to help them to celebrate a few festivals such as Chinese New Year, Christmas and Easter. Appropriate information is exchanged with parents to ensure children are cared for within their usual routines. Parents receive verbal and written information to keep them suitably informed about the setting and their children's care and development. As a result children enjoy continuity in their care.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The conditions of registration that specify the numbers of children that can be cared for have not been maintained at all times. This is a breach of the childminder's conditions of registration and potentially compromises children's safety and well-being. However, the childminder enjoys warm relationships with the children and as her youngest child is now attending school she is applying to the regulator to increase the number of children under five she is able to care for at any one time. Children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder organises her time well to enable children to receive some individual attention which helps them to feel at ease and valued. Parents are kept suitably informed of the childminding service as they have access to an informative portfolio of policies and procedures. However, the childminder has not implemented a system to record complaints. Children's

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Organisation

individual needs and routines are discussed on a daily basis with parents. This contributes to continuity in their well-being whilst in the childminder's care. The childminder has not completed recent training in first aid to ensure she is up to date with current practice. Confidentiality is maintained to ensure children's privacy and dignity. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection two recommendations were raised with regard to pet food bowls being accessible to children and parents not been made aware of Ofsted's contact details as part of the complaints system. Children now stay protected as the dog food dishes are made inaccessible to the minded children. Parents are now kept fully informed of Ofsted's contact details as these are supplied in the portfolio of policies and procedures given at placement and a poster with the complaints telephone number is prominently displayed in the entrance hall. Therefore, children's well-being is actively promoted.

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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 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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Complaints 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

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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 satisfactory. 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 that registration conditions are adhered to with regard to the numbers of children under five who may be cared for at any one time • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children; and implement a system to record complaints • develop the range of resources and activities used to enhance children's knowledge of the similarities and differences in the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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