Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY264805 Unique Reference Number 11 May 2006 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin 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 has been registered since 2003.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her 3 children in a mid-terraced property on the outskirts of Calne, within walking distance of local schools, and shops. The whole of the house is used for childminding except bedrooms 1 and 3. She is registered to care for four children under the age of 8 years, and currently cares for 1 child full-time and 4 children part-time children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a cat, 3 rabbits and 3 goldfish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is actively involved in the local childminding group. She regularly attends local toddler groups.

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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 warm, clean premises. Their health is fully protected in the event of an accident or when taking medication, as the childminder has a good knowledge of first aid, and records all accidents and medication administered accurately. Children are encouraged to practise good hand washing routines, for example, after the toilet, before snack and they are not, therefore, at risk from cross infection. Hand drying routines prevent the spread of germs as children have their own towels. The sickness policy is formally shared with parents and children are not, therefore, exposed to unnecessary illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gains information from parents regarding dietary needs and preferences prior to a child commencing in the setting. Discussions are recorded and any requirements catered for. Children learn about the importance of healthy eating, through activities that teach them about the kinds of foods that are good for them and those to eat in moderation. Children make healthy choices as they contentedly eat nutritious snacks, for example, strawberries, grapes, bread sticks and raisins. Children's dietary needs are successfully met. The childminder liaises with parents regarding healthy eating, although this is not fully promoted in order for the children to fully benefit from.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they walk to the school and pre-school daily and they have regular chances to play in the garden. There they have access to a wide range of equipment including a climbing frame, slide, see saw, ride on toys, balls and bats. Children also visit the park and soft play centres where they have their physical development promoted well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in safe premises free from most hazards as the childminder puts good safety measures in place to protect children's safety and welfare. For example, hazardous substances are out of reach, sockets are covered and the fire evacuation plan is well monitored. Children are able to move around the premises with confidence and play in safety. However, the childminder has not fully secured the younger children's access to the stairs, which compromises their safety. The childminder uses suitable equipment to promote safety outside of the setting and the garden is all secure and safe for the children to play in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in welcoming premises which are well organised to meet the needs of the children. The playroom is well organised and children are able to access a good range of toys and equipment. These are all clean, safe and well maintained, are suitable for the ages of the children attending and cover all areas of development. Children freely access the toys and make choices in their play, developing their confidence and independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded as the childminder has a thorough knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. She has effective

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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 procedures in place for sharing her duties with parents and this promotes children's well-being fully.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely settled and happy in the childminder's care. They readily approach her for comfort, for example, a cuddle when tired, or to request play, for example, holding out toys to her. She responds quickly to these requests, and children's needs are well met. This helps promote their confidence and enables them to form a close bond with the childminder. Childminder interacts very well with the children during activities, and shows great interest in them, which supports their language development well and they confidently communicate with her, using both verbal and non-verbal communication. The childminder responds to children's communication and this enables them to know they are being understood, and helps promote their self-esteem. Children develop good relationships with others, and begin to play co-operatively, sharing the toys and including others in their play. The childminder sustains

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children's interests, recognising when they are bored, and this means they develop appropriate concentration skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises a good range of activities for the children, including various trips out in the local environment, creative play, exploring textures, music and dancing, construction, physical play and role play. These support the children's learning and development well. She utilises activities well to support the children's development in other areas, for example, counting the pen lids with one child when they want to use them as 'false nails'. Children freely explore the toys on offer, and make choices in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individuality is very well respected and catered for and the childminder fully takes account of their backgrounds, and supports their individual needs very well. She fully supports the development of children with additional languages, ensuring they are fully included within the setting and their language development is promoted. Children have access to a good range of resources that promote positive images of diversity in their daily play. They also engage in activities that help them learn about the lives of others, and to develop respect for these, for example, celebrating festivals from other cultures. Children have regular opportunities to attend local groups, for example, toddler group, local childminder group and visit local parks and play centres. This enables them to socialise with other children and become familiar with their local environment. The childminder supports the needs of children with special educational needs

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Childminder is a good role model for the children. She is calm and consistent in her approach to managing unwanted behaviour and uses age appropriate methods to teach the children right from wrong. She praises children when they do something well, for example, when they share the toys, and this helps children feel good about themselves. Children begin to show concern for others, for example, offering toys to the younger children and stroking their hair. They are

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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 also encouraged to be responsible for their own behaviour, being involved in making up the house rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the solid partnership with parents as their care needs and routines are fully respected and they are cared for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder speaks to parents daily regarding the kinds of activities children have participated in, routines and general well-being and this enables them to discuss any changing needs. This enables the childminder to offer the children continuity of care. The childminder displays the children's work for parents to see, and they are able to take items home they have made to share, for example, paintings, pictures and models. The childminder also keeps a scrapbook of all the various activities she has done with the children which includes photographs of them on outings and engaged in activities, and examples of their art work. Hence, she shares children's progress and achievements with parents well. The complaints record is kept and is shared effectively with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a suitable and appropriately qualified childminder. She has attended many training courses, including sensory play, Birth to three matters, child protection, behaviour management and multi-cultural play. This has enables her to gain many new ideas to implement into her practice and hence, offer the children new care and learning experiences. The childminder maintains the required adult to child ratios at all times and this means children receive good quality adult support, as she spends long periods of time playing with and talking to the children, engaging them in their play and supporting their development well. She organises her day well to meet the needs and routines of the children.

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Organisation

All necessary consents are gained form parent for children's routine activities, for example, outings, transport, photos, and this protects the children's welfare and means they are cared for in line with parents' wishes. All required documentation is kept securely and available for inspection. The childminder implements all policies and procedures consistently which promotes children's welfare, care and learning fully. However, she has not ensured children's safety on the stairs and does not fully promote healthy eating with parents.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children, develop knowledge and resources to actively promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice and to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She also agreed to ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing, maintain a record of significant incidents and share this with parents and to practise the emergency evacuation procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended a first aid course and has a good, up to date knowledge of first aid. She has increased her range of resources that promote positive images of diversity and children have access to books, dolls and small world figures in their daily play. The childminder

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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 has attended a child protection course and has a thorough knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. All hygiene routines are in place to promote the good health of the children, procedures are in place for recording significant incidents and the fire evacuation plan is well monitored to ensure it is effective in the event of a fire.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

In February 2006 a concern was raised in relation to National standard 11: Behaviour Management, National standard 6: Safety and National standard 1: Suitable Person. A childcare inspector visited the premises and found that there was no evidence to suggest that the National Standards were not being maintained and no further action was taken in relation to these complaints. The registered person remains qualified for registration.

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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): • further develop the encouraging of children's healthy eating, by encouraging parents to contribute to this area of their children's health and well-being • ensure the stairs do not pose a hazard to the younger minded 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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