Davis, Sarah Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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155266 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2006 Inspection date Carol Mansell 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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and one child aged five in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor, bathroom and one bedroom of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five part-time and one child over five after school and during the school holidays. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local groups. The family has a rabbit, a guinea pig and a corn snake.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 are learning simple health and hygiene procedures. They wash their hands before and after meals and after using the toilet. Children use individual face cloths and recognise that these precautions help to wash germs away. Children are learning the importance of caring for family pets. They stroke and handle the pet guinea pig and rabbit being very careful with them. This helps them to understand the need to be gentle with small animals, taking care not to hurt them. Children also help to care for the pet corn snake. They observe it in its glass case and are involved in feeding it sometimes. This helps the children to learn about different species. They ensure they wash their hands well before and after touching the animals. This helps to protect the children and animals from infection, safeguarding their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs met as the childminder has a clear awareness of any issues with individual children. She ensures she discusses relevant issues with parents. Children who become unwell at anytime sit quietly until their parents arrive. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of the different childhood illnesses and makes parents aware of the exclusion periods to ensure all children are protected from infection. The childminder endeavours to protect children from the sun when they are playing outside. She reminds them to keep their hats on and applies sun cream frequently. Children are learning that this is important for their skin and therefore their health. Children are nourished as they have well-balanced meals and nutritious snacks throughout the day. This includes an occasional treat such as, a visit to a fast food restaurant or a small packet of chocolate buttons. Children's

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Helping children to be healthy

favourite meals are chicken curry and rice or spaghetti bolognese. They enjoy eating healthy snacks, for example, plain biscuits or pieces of fresh fruit. Babies have their needs met as the childminder allows them to sleep as they require it. She also feeds them when they are hungry. Children have drinks regularly. Older children are able to ask to have their drinks replenished at anytime. All children are encouraged to drink throughout the day by the childminder. This ensures babies and other children do not become dehydrated at anytime which safeguards their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a variety of physical activities. They enjoy exploring the garden, walking, jumping and pushing the toys and resources available. Children enjoy visits to soft play centres and exercise with a keep fit video at an appropriate level. They enthusiastically jump about to the music and are learning that this helps them to grow strong. They enjoy playing with small toys such as puzzles, creative activities and construction toys. Their participation in these activities helps to improve their physical development.

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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 welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. They have the freedom to explore the range of resources that are available to them in brightly coloured crates. This aids their independence skills and builds their confidence. The childminder provides a shaded, cooler area for children to play in during the extremely hot weather. She

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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 ensures the conservatory doors are open to provide adequate ventilation and uses a ceiling fan to circulate the air. This ensures the children do not suffer adverse effects of the heat. Children are protected as the childminder has implemented simple safety precautions in her home and garden. She conducts regular risk assessments and encourages the children to help her to check the resources for any damage. Children are learning simple road safety procedures and put these into practice as they walk around the local community. This ensures the children are actively involved in keeping themselves and others safe. Children have a clear understanding of the emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder practises these on a monthly basis and explains to the children why it is important to know how to get out of the house quickly

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and safely. This helps children to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm or neglect as the childminder has extensive knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow regarding any concerns. She safeguards the children when away from her home. She ensures that she records any injuries to children's on their arrival and discusses them with parents. This ensures children's well-being is protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide variety of planned activities and learning opportunities. They explore the resources for both indoor and outdoor play independently. Children participate in activities away from the childminder's home, such as, attending local groups and feeding the ducks. They mix with different children and this enhances their social skills. Children have favourite toys that they seek out, such as, the doll's pushchair and the musical instruments. This helps them to feel safe and secure. Children chatter happily with the childminder and visitors. They show them new toys that have recently been purchased, for example, a giraffe. They instruct visitors that "'we must play with it nicely or it will get broken". Children are therefore learning responsible behaviours. Children love to explore the outdoor environment. They enjoy wrapping up and having picnics in the winter as well as the summer, providing the weather allows.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit as the childminder has accessed training and implements the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She shares the information with the parents, helping them to understand the different activities that their children have been involved in, which gives them a clearer understanding of what their children are learning. This helps them to be involved in their children's learning in a meaningful way. Children like to use their imagination. They dress up and play with the small toys such as, animals and tractors. They love to wear dressing up clothes, particularly the fancy shoes and magic wand. Children love to look at books and listen to stories read by the childminder. They use their imagination, acting out their favourite stories. Children therefore show an interest in what they do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit as the childminder has a flexible routine which is dictated by the moods of the children in her care. She likes to be spontaneous, exploring the local environment regardless of the season. Children enjoy collecting natural materials from their walks to make collages and other pictures, which they either take these home or display their work in the conservatory. This helps them to feel valued. Children are fascinated by watching how snow falls and also seeing how it melts. They observe how the garden changes over the year and watch the corn

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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 snake grow. They are inquisitive and ask questions which helps to build their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are accepted as individuals by the childminder. She encourages their development in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The childminder asks parents to contribute to activities that she provides for children regarding equal opportunities. She is aware that this helps the children to feel safe and secure in the setting. Children have access to a range of resources and activities that help them to understand and appreciate different cultures and gender roles. However, they lack access to resources that show positive images of disabilities. This limits their understanding of some areas of difference and diversity. Children have their individual needs met as the childminder works with parents to provide appropriate care. She has attended different training courses and has received instruction on how to administer an inhaler when necessary. This safeguards the children's well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel secure as the childminder follows consistent procedures when dealing with behaviour issues. She ensures children understand that it is the behaviour and not them that is unacceptable. The childminder talks to the children at an appropriate level and gets the older children to explain to her why some behaviours are 'not the right thing to do'. This helps children to recognise responsible behaviours and encourages them to understand right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit as the childminder and parents exchange verbal and written information according to parents' wishes. The childminder has built a strong partnership with parents and they have a clear understanding of how their children spend their day. She provides additional information regarding any health related issues to ensure continuity of care for the children. The childminder informs parents of her policies and procedures, helping them to understand how their children are cared for in a safe and nurturing environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and contented in the child-friendly environment. The childminder ensures the adult to child ratio positively supports the children’s care, learning and play. The space, resources, flexible routine and support offered by the childminder help to encourage the children’s independence skills and enables them to respond to challenges and use their initiative. Children are cared for by a childminder with knowledge and understanding of child development. They have their individual needs met and are able to progress in their development.

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Organisation

The childminder has a positive regard for children’s well-being and ensures her contracts with parents are reviewed and updated as necessary. She maintains confidentiality at all times and ensures her records are stored safely and securely. The childminder is very aware of the children’s individual needs and has updated her knowledge in many areas by attending numerous training courses. This enhances the provision for the children. The childminder maintains the documentation required for childminding purposes. She shares her policies and procedures

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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 with the parents to promote the children's health, enjoyment and achievements. However, the childminder has a copy of the addendums to the National Standards but has not implemented any changes as yet. This could compromise the children’s welfare. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the attendance record is filled in daily, develop the multicultural play provision, ensure the children cannot access the sockets upstairs, bottles in the toilet, plastic bags in the kitchen, kettle oven or rooms out of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder generally maintains her record of attendance. She has extended some of the resources for multicultural play and has implemented suitable safety precautions in her home and garden. This ensures the children are cared for in a safe and secure environment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Complaints 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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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): • ensure children have access to resources that show positive images of disabilities • update policies and procedures in line with changes to the National Standards.

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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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