Gray, Joanne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY321155 Inspection date 12 July 2006 Inspector Louise, Caroline Bonney

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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 2005. She lives with her partner and toddler in Ash. The downstairs areas of the childminder’s house are predominantly used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder currently cares for two children, and is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. The childminder attends local indoor play areas and toddler groups. 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 enjoy regular physical play indoors and out. Babies have space indoors to safely stretch and roll on the carpet, developing strength as they pull themselves into a crawling position. Toddlers daily access larger equipment in the garden, such as the slide, swing and seesaw. They go out for walks, to play parks and soft-play activity centres. This helps them develop an enjoyment of exercise and promotes their good health. Babies and toddlers stay healthy through the good hygiene procedures in place. The childminder is careful to ensure toys and equipment are clean to prevent cross-contamination. She quickly refrigerates babies' bottles brought by the parents. Children benefit from a healthy diet. The childminder is careful to liaise with parents about children's dietary needs, and the foods she prepares for weaning babies and toddlers are fresh and nutritious, such as fruit puree or turkey casserole. Children

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Helping children to be healthy

have frequent drinks, including additional water for babies. This helps children develop awareness of healthy eating and drinking. Babies have good emotional support as they receive cuddles and warm and caring support from the childminder. She encourages babies to have a nap when they tire, and they wake happy and with renewed energy. This helps them to settle to their activities and to cope better with their day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe and welcoming environment. The childminder risk assesses the premises and their activities, and reduces most hazards effectively. For instance, wedges prevent doors closing on children's fingers, padding on the dining room table protects toddlers' heads from its corners, and fences stop children tripping over low walls in the garden. They visit local facilities which the childminder knows to be safe for them, such as play parks with safety surfaces, or soft-play areas suitable for toddlers. This helps to support the safety of the children. Children enjoy playing with toys and equipment that are safe and suitable for their ages, and which they easily and safely reach from low storage boxes kept on the floor in the lounge. Outside equipment is set out ready for their use, and is in good condition. However, although children are safe on the swing through the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder's vigilance and close support, it is not securely fixed to the ground to ensure it cannot tip. Children learn to be safe as they play. For instance, babies develop control as they try to balance and bounce on the childminder's lap with her support. Toddlers know how to sit as they come down the slide, and to be gentle with babies. When out walking, children learn to walk on the inside of the pavement and to hold hands. They

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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 have additional physical challenges as they play at soft-play centres and in play parks. This helps them begin to identify and manage acceptable risks as they clamber and fit into small spaces.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the happy and homely environment, and enjoy a good variety of activities which support their development well. Babies learn to control their bodies as they lie and roll on the floor, or bounce on the childminder's knee. They listen to the sounds toys make as they shake them or press buttons. Toddlers enjoy a routine which balances planned and free play, and provides daily opportunities for indoor and outdoor play. They develop creativity and imagination as they role-play in the café set up in the lounge, hand paint, play percussion instruments and decorate boxes for Mothers Day gifts. Each week they socialise with others when they go to toddler groups or soft play activity centres. Children develop independence as they select their own activities from the good range of easily accessible resources. They have warm and caring relationships with the childminder, and she spends her time talking to and playing with them. This helps

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children develop their play and feel confident in what they are doing. Babies benefit from the childminder's warm and caring support and her calm handling of them as she establishes their routine, such as when they tire and become fractious just before their nap. This helps them eventually settle to sleep, which means they cope well with the rest of their day. The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework, but does not yet use this to further develop her provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the friendly and business-like relationship the childminder establishes with parents. She seeks information about their individual needs and home routines at introductory meetings, and through the completion of contracts and child detail forms. Children have their on-going needs met through the completion of a daily diary which they take home, and through the exchange of information and sharing of records during handover. Parents that wish to, receive picture messages during the day so they can see how their child is settling. This helps to provide good continuity of care. Children show a sense of belonging and know that the childminder values them individually through her attentiveness to their needs and involvement in their activities. Toddlers and babies play happily alongside each other, and show their affection as they smile and interact with each other. Children behave well through the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder's careful management. For instance, she ensures toddlers are happily occupied before she sits down to feed the baby. She quickly responds to their needs,

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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 such as when babies tire and cannot cope with their activities, and is patient and calm as she helps them settle for a sleep. This means they happily engage in their activities again on waking. Children use resources that reflect social diversity, and participate in craft activities that reflect their home cultures. For instance, they look at books and play with a toy bus that reflects positive images of other cultures and disabilities, and decorate Easter eggs and make gift boxes for Mothers Day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children settle well as they play in the child friendly and welcoming environment. They are able to participate in a full range of activities through the good organisation of space. For instance, they do painting in the kitchen, role-play in the cafe or do floor activities on the warm carpet in the lounge, and have space and equipment for more physical activities in the garden. Most resources are easily and safely accessible to the children. They benefit from the routines that the childminder establishes which provide a rhythm to their day and week. The childminder attends additional training, such as the Confident Parents Confident Kids workshop. She is attending a course for first aid, and is awaiting confirmation of a place on a Birth to three matters course. This helps her to develop her provision to the benefit of the children. The childminder maintains documentation and has effective procedures in place

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Organisation

which she shares with parents, and which support the welfare of the children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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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 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 the garden swing is secure to prevent it from tipping • further develop the provision for younger children through the use of guidance such as the Birth to three matters framework

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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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