Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY310745 Unique Reference Number 12 January 2007 Inspection date Susan Riley 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 2005. She lives with her husband and family of three children in Gedling, a suburb of Nottingham. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Toilet facilities are provided on the ground and first floor. The family has a dog which lives outside in a secured area.

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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 one child over eight years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children 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 satisfactory. Children stay healthy and are protected from infection because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene procedures. For example, all areas of the home are very clean and food is handled safely. Children are starting to understand simple hygiene practices as they are encouraged to wash their hands appropriately. They have their own towels to minimise the risk of cross- infection. Effective measures are in place to minimise any health risk from the family pet and children are encouraged to wash their hands after walking the dog. Clear policies are in place to guide practice if children are ill or infectious. Appropriate systems are in place for the administration of medicines, although no medication has been administered. Accidents are recorded in detail so parents know what has happened to their child. The childminder has not been able to attend a first aid course within the specified time frame.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are suitably nourished because the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of healthy eating. Children’s individual dietary needs are catered for according to their needs and to parents’ wishes. Children have access to drinks at all times which they can help themselves to. This promotes their independence and allows them to make decisions. Children have regular opportunities to be active. The spacious home allows children to move around freely as they play. Children benefit from fresh air as they walk to and from school and take the dog for a walk in the local park.

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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 welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. They can move around freely without risk of injury because the childminder organises the space well and has identified and minimised any potential hazards. For example, a chair is positioned to stop children harming themselves on the corner of the dining table. The home is secure and effective procedures ensure children cannot leave unsupervised and that only known adults are admitted to the premises. Children are protected when playing outside because the garden is very secure and has a fenced off area for the dog to have its own run.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A satisfactory range of toys and activities are readily available for the children. These are well-organised in containers within easy reach of the children so they can select what they want to play with. This encourages children’s independence as they make their own choices and decisions. Children are kept safe because the childminder has appropriate systems for cleaning and checking the toys and equipment that ensures they are safe for use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable safety equipment is in place to protect children including a fire blanket and smoke alarms. Children understand what to do in the event of a fire because emergency evacuation procedures have been planned by the childminder and discussed with them. The childminder talks to the children about road safety when out walking so they are developing a good sense of keeping themselves 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 Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder ensures that each child has an appropriate car seat. They are protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy coming to the childminder’s home as they feel secure and welcomed. They are greeted warmly and the childminder shows a genuine interest in their needs and their activities during the school day. As a result relationships are good between the children and the childminder. Children feel valued and confident, developing their self-esteem well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enthusiastically help select resources needed to make their cards. They carefully pay attention to detail as they design and make a ‘Get Well’ card. Children are helped to acquire new knowledge and skills well through the craft activities that they do. For example, when making a play dough object that they want to stick on a card the childminder encourages them to place it in the fridge to help it set more quickly. The childminder looks at children’s reading books from school with them, supporting and nurturing their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy taking the dog for walks in the local park and throwing small sticks into the dyke. They eagerly talk about their own dog. The children are confident to go to the childminder for help or for their needs to be met. Their social and communication skills are well promoted by the childminder who listens attentively and talks with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children demonstrate a clear sense of belonging in the childminder’s home. They know exactly where to place their bags, coats and shoes as they arrive after school and how to find any toys or activities they want. Photographs of those who attend are displayed, this helps to make them feel valued and part of the family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated as individuals and with respect by the childminder so they feel a sense of self-worth. The childminder works well with the parents to support the children’s well-being and foster their needs. Information is exchanged verbally on a daily basis to ensure the childminder and parents are up-to-date and to promote continuity of care. Clear written agreements are in place with the parents of each child and this ensures all parties are aware of the arrangements in place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children make decisions for themselves, creating a sense of confidence and self-esteem. There are clear house rules in place that children can understand and relate to. Any inappropriate or undesirable behaviour is managed sensitively by the childminder according to children’s individual age and level of understanding. Children are praised for good behaviour so they are encouraged to continue to behave well. The childminder has appropriate knowledge and understanding to enable her to care for children with special or additional needs. Although the childminder has had no complaints, she is aware of the recent changes. However, she has not yet devised a

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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 system in which to record the concerns and share relevant information with parents upon their request.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time and resources appropriately to ensure that children have access to a suitable range of resources and are supported according to their age and stage of development. Children receive suitable levels of adult attention to meet their individual needs. The childminder has a reasonable understanding of the National Standards and has devised a number of policies and procedures to guide her practice. The childminder demonstrates that she generally has a high regard for the welfare of children. However, the childminder has not completed her first aid course so she does not have up-to-date knowledge of first aid procedures. This has the potential to compromise the well-being of a child.

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Organisation

The childminder’s practice is underpinned by the appropriate use of records. This promotes the welfare, care and learning of the children. Essential information is reliably recorded and easily located. Records are in place, are accurate and up-to-date. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 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): • complete a local authority approved first aid course • devise a system of recording complaints relating to the National Standard's and any action taken.

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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 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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