Allen Karen Linda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY289718 Inspection date 29 June 2005 Inspector Sarah Jane Wignall

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2004. She lives with her husband, who is also her assistant, and one child of pre-school age, in a house on an estate on the outskirts of St Austell. The whole of the ground floor and designated rooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 1 child on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The family have 2

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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 cats and 3 rabbits. The childminder is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association (CCMA) and the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She is also a member of the St Austell College Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very clean, well decorated and comfortable home environment. Children benefit from the childminder's rigorous health and hygiene routines. They learn the importance of good hygiene through established daily routines, such as wiping hands before eating. Children are well supervised when around animals, who have regular health checks and are fed away from children. Comprehensive health and hygiene policies are in place, and the childminder has completed relevant training in first aid and food hygiene. Parents are kept fully informed of accidents, through the use of appropriate record forms. Children benefit from a wide range of healthy hot cooked meals and snacks. Sample menus are used to inform parents, and discuss requirements. Children are encouraged to eat a range of foods such as fruit and vegetables, and to have regular drinks throughout the day. The childminder is aware of individual needs, and tries to

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Helping children to be healthy

prepare foods that children enjoy. Children benefit from frequent access to the outdoor environment, where they develop a range of physical skills. They enjoy playing in the garden on the slide, see-saw and ride-on toys. They also enjoy regular walks and games in the local park, where they have access to large equipment. Children regularly attend a soft play session at a local leisure centre.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very well organised environment that has been made safe and suitable for them. They are able to move freely between downstairs play areas, with safety gates, guards and locks used to prevent access to hazardous areas. The garden is well laid out and effectively fenced and gated to ensure children's safety. Effective use of written fire procedures, and children's awareness of these, helps ensure their safety in the event of a fire. Children are well supervised by the childminder, who is skilful at monitoring children, while allowing them to play independently. The childminder has undertaken health and safety training, and carried out a safety checklist, in order to successfully identify and minimise risks in the home. Children have access to a very wide range of suitable resources, which are sorted and stored appropriately. Resources are organised so that children are able to make

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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 independent play choices, while not being in danger from small, or unsuitable items. The childminder monitors children, to ensure they do not use small items inappropriately. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. She has undertaken training in this area, and has a written policy in place. She is aware of areas of concern and who to contact if concerned about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with a good range of activities and interests that help to contribute to their overall development. They enjoy a close and comfortable relationship with the childminder and each other. The play environment is well laid out to allow children to make some independent play choices. There is a good balance between adult led and child initiated activities, and children enjoy structured play such as sticking shapes and cotton wool to make sheep, and sharing stories together. The childminder encourages children to use language, for example when talking about animals in the story, and discussing where pieces will go on a picture. Children have many opportunities to socialise and interact with others as they regularly attend toddlers and other soft play groups. The childminder makes very good use of the local environment, to increase and widen children's experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children do not have sufficient access to natural and sensory experiences. The childminder has recently undertaken training in the Birth to 3 framework, and has started to put this knowledge into practice when planning activities for younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well supported by the childminder, who has a good understanding of their individual needs. She has a written equal opportunities policy in place, and a good awareness of individual needs and routines. The childminder offers appropriate support to children to enable them to complete activities, and to make some independent play choices. Children learn about diversity and differences through a varied range of toys and resources, such as dolls, books and small world play. They participate in a range of local community activities as they attend toddlers and soft play groups. Children learn about the natural world as they visit local beaches, and they visit nature spots where they enjoy feeding the ducks and swans. Children benefit from the childminder's consistent approach to behaviour management. She has a written policy in place and has attended a short training course to increase her knowledge and skills in this area. She uses verbal praise and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouragement to reward success and reinforce appropriate behaviour, for instance when children complete a sticking picture, and help to tidy away the toys.

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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 Children are very well supported by the childminder's close relationship with parents. A comprehensive and well organised portfolio provides parents with detailed information about the setting. Very good settling in procedures, such as occasional home visits, help to identify home routines. A regular exchange of both written and verbal feedback keeps parents informed of daily routines and activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment, enabling them to move freely between downstairs play areas. They have regular opportunities to visit places outside the home, and widen their experiences. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and understanding, and her commitment to increase her skills through attendance at regular training courses. Children benefit from high adult to child ratios, particularly when the childminder is supported by her husband , who acts as her assistant. She offers effective supervision when unvetted adults are present. Comprehensive and well organised documentation is in place, enabling the childminder to keep parents fully informed about daily routines and issues as they arise. Overall the provision effectively meets the needs of children who attend.

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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): • increase children's access to a suitable range of natural and sensory

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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 materials

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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