Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY297267 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2006 Inspection date Lynne Kathleen Talbot 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 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 registered in December 2004. She lives with her husband, and two children aged five and six years. The family has one gerbil. Their house is in the town of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding with the exception of the study which is not used. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. There are shops, schools and pre-schools within an accessible distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to collect and take minded children. She attends toddler groups with minded children. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. There are currently two children on roll.

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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 are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are learning the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own needs according to age, because the childminder acts as a good role model and offers clear explanations. This is demonstrated as she speaks clearly to them when helping them use tissues, repeating careful instructions and explaining the importance of hygiene routines and the disposal of soiled items. They are reminded through additional supportive measures such as posters, with both text and pictures, which remind them to wash their hands and, to ensure safety, by not opening the door.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health and development is exceptionally well-promoted because of wide-ranging opportunities provided by the childminder. Each day there is free choice of indoor and outdoor large physical activities which help them develop control of their bodies. They explore their physical skills eagerly having ample opportunities to extend themselves through the use of physical equipment, digging and making tracks with wheeled-vehicles, using bats and balls, and exploring the local community and parks. Children's outdoor experience benefits from clear planning for outings that is shared with parents within written procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's immediate health and safety is protected because the childminder is well-informed of current health guidelines and requirements of the National Standards, for example through information on infectious disease and clear procedures related to infectious or notifiable disease. Their physical well-being, both inside the home and on outings, is ensured with clear first aid preparations and facilities. There is, however, a need to review the procedures for sick children to ensure that all eventualities are fully planned for. Children's medical needs are effectively supported and protected due to good attention to maintaining information, seeking training for individual needs, and reviewing the care of children with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Nutritional needs are very well met with clear agreements between the childminder and parents. This is enhanced by clear menu planning shared with parents, and from the recent and ongoing training carried out by the childminder entitled 'Nutrition and oral health'. Up-to-date information from agencies and health authorities ensures that children's changing needs are able to be assessed fostering their good health and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are developing an advanced awareness of safety due to effective procedures and routines carried out with them on a regular basis. For example, they carry out fire evacuation according to the written plan prepared and displayed, and are given clear reminders about safety when going from car to house or when using the stairs. Children make links between routines and the posters displayed that remind them not to open the main door. They benefit from premises that are risk- assessed regularly and have added features, such as an alarm on

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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 the main door activated when the contact is broken, enabling them to explore freely and learn to avoid accidental injury.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is effectively promoted because the childminder takes steps to prevent accidents and to plan for emergencies, for example through written plans shared with parents. This includes detailed emergency support contacts that may be used and for whom parents have full detail and are familiar with the people concerned. This ensures that stability is maintained in the event of medical emergency or accident. Children are protected as the childminder is familiar with new legislation related to child car seats, and maintains her knowledge through seeking all updated information as publicised. This ensures their safety when on outings or travelling by car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities and procedures to follow in the event of concern or child protection. This includes ensuring that parents have good information about child protection issues and understand her responsibility towards children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are challenged by new concepts because the childminder takes time to include open questions into all daily routines and play thereby extending children’s curiosity and self-initiated learning. Children develop and sustain interest in activities, including the childminder in their play where she uses open-ended questions to develop and deepen their understanding. For example, outdoor play seen offers new language, new textures when digging or making tracks, exploring wet and dry, experiencing the changes in the weather and making detailed observations of how the sky changes when it is going to rain heavily. Children are challenged by new experiences and eagerly explore what they are learning with relevant support.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they freely choose from high quality play materials where sufficient supply ensures that they may develop their play alongside others before reaching the level of co-operative play. This is demonstrated as there are areas of play set ready for children to access without prompting, such as dressing-up, musical areas, role play areas and quieter reading areas. Photographic displays and activities they have carried out are displayed at a low level throughout the play areas. This encourages children to explore past events, understand the concept of time, make links between themselves and others in the pictures, and plan for further activities which they remember.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to take part in imaginative activities as the childminder carries out some flexible planning for activities to foster development across all areas, and shares those plans with parents and carers. Children's development is supported by the childminder's personal experience. However, she does not yet use the 'Birth to three matters' framework in the care of minded children which means that children may not always be sufficiently supported to take the next step in their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good relationships with each other and with the childminder, confidently participating in discussion, once familiar with an adult, and initiating conversations. They

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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 socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups, and within the home, where arrangements are made to offer social opportunities in a safe environment. Their personal development and self-esteem are consistently promoted through sensitive support and interaction from the childminder. This is seen in play when co-operative play and turn-taking is both suggested by the childminder and often initiated by the children themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are well met as they follow their normal daily routines as discussed with their parents ,although contractual agreements require re-assessment to ensure that all care needs are documented. Children thrive because their individual developmental stages are recognised and supported by the childminder. This is supported by thorough daily records completed and passed to parents each day as well as clear information given on all aspects relating to regulatory detail of the registration, such as maintaining complaints records. Transition into the care of the childminder is well-planned and completed at the pace dictated by children's needs. Ongoing partnerships thrive and ensure stability of care for children enhanced by imaginative steps such as sending e-mail photographs through to parents, as they are taken, including parents in their child's day at all times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand responsible behaviour and recognise the needs of others due to consistent boundaries being maintained by the childminder. Children are aware of each other's age and are supported in learning about the development of babies, they show that they are caring and appreciative of younger children's needs. This broadens their understanding and fosters good social development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from resources and activities using various media to promote multi-cultural awareness and diversity. This includes topic works and colourful displays in all areas promoting an awareness of the world. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder ensures there are varied opportunities in which they may participate. She is active in assessing children as individuals and understands a positive and proactive approach towards any care requiring additional services. In this manner they may be fully developed and receive positive care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure within the surroundings where they develop a firm sense of trust in the childminder. They feel at ease in this well-organised environment leading them to confidently initiate play, explore their surroundings and respond to conversations led by both the childminder and visitors. Their daily comfort and enjoyment is enhanced by the quality of organisation and the attention to all details relating to their care and well-being.

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Organisation

Play opportunities are enhanced by the creative organisation within the home which allows freedom to access all play activities both indoors and outside. Play is effectively planned through themes with practical experience and choice given a very high emphasis. Reviews and assessment of activities adds to the continued forward thinking and development of the service.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children have independent access to personal care facilities and develop good awareness of their personal space and care through example and routines. These include personal hygiene, care for surroundings, and responsibility for play materials and personal belongings. This clear organisation enables the children to feel confident in initiating their own play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Children Act and associated regulations which is enhanced by her commitment to seeking ongoing training and self-development.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made since registration. 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

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): • review the policy for sick children to ensure that it contains a procedure for contacting parents or any other designated adult • improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • review the written agreements with parents to ensure that it sets out the expectations of both parties as to all aspects of care for children.

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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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