Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY240393 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2006 Inspection date Ann Hilary Guy 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 registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and six years in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The childminder the ground floor of the house 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 four children under five part time. She walks to local schools and playgroups to take and collect children. She attends the local parent toddler group and takes children to the local park. The family have two cats and fish as pets.

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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 experience a wide range of age appropriate stimulating activities that contribute to their good health. They enjoy a good variety of physical activities that are both challenging and varied as they play inside and outside the house. They enjoy regular walks and visits to the park, where they experience larger equipment. They have a very good variety of activities available in the garden including both a sand and water tray, as well as a range of trikes, scooters and sit and ride toys, a trampoline and a play house. Children are closely monitored the whole time they are outside in the garden to ensure they remain safe.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from the experience of the childminder, who creates a welcoming, child-friendly inviting environment in which they begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care, through a very effective daily routine. All required documentation is in place, although no times are recorded against accidents. The children discover healthy alternatives for food and are provided with a nutritious balanced diet for breakfast and lunch. No evening meal is provided. Healthy snacks of fresh fruit ensure the children have five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Children have regular opportunities to drink throughout the day from a suitable cup that is kept topped up.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good standard of care in this very safe, welcoming environment. They have the use of most of the ground floor, with free access from the lounge into the garden. Risks have been identified and acted upon within the home and garden, ensuring the environment is as safe as possible for the children. Toys are accessibly stored in the playroom, lounge and garden to enable children as much free access as possible. Basic house rules and routines enable children to remain safe and in good health at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children rest and sleep according to their need and parental wishes. A suitable cot is available in one of the bedrooms, with each child having their own bedding. Children's welfare is safeguarded at all times, supported by clear documentation, and the childminder has a very clear understanding of child protection procedures. She ensures the children are never far from her side at all times and has a good system in place to ensure their safety whilst away from the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in an environment designed to meet their needs. Stimulating and varied activities offered, both inside and outside the house, enable children to develop their potential and progress in all areas. They greatly benefit from the individual attention they receive and learn through everyday activities, visits and routines. One child was discovering how to use a large paint brush and painted the low walls in the garden with water. All these

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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 experiences are recorded by the childminder under the headings as listed in the Birth to three matters framework and shared with the parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a wide variety of activities, including plenty of opportunities for physical development both inside and outside the house, dancing to music and playing on the range of equipment in the garden. They enjoy a good range of age appropriate activities with in the house that stimulates their inquisitive minds. Activities are changed regularly to meet the concentration ability of the individual children and ensure plenty of variety. Their daily routine includes quiet times for looking at books and sharing stories, as well as times for both messy and physical play. The childminder skilfully develops their individual knowledge and understanding and extends their vocabulary through the wide range of play opportunities offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are included as part of an extended family to which they develop a strong sense of belonging. Their individual needs are successfully met by the childminder, who works very closely with the parents to ensure they are fully involved in the life of the setting. They enjoy cookery and dressing up and learn of other cultures through practical play activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Every child is valued and respected as an individual. Their daily routines, as discussed with the parents, are skilfully incorporated in to the household routine, ensuring all are happy and settled. The simple house rules for behaviour, both in the house and when away from it, serve to promote the well-being of all the children and enhance their awareness of others needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The effective use of time, space and resources ensure children's individual needs are given priority and enables them to effectively develop. The policies and procedures underpin the care and work well to promote children's heath, safety and enjoyment. Children enjoy the company of the childminder who plays along side them and assists them to extend their activities, enabling opportunities to develop their skills and understanding. Daily discussions with parents ensure they are kept well informed, and enable an opportunity to discuss the development observations made by the childminder. This ensures they are fully involved and well informed about the care their child receives.

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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 four recommendations were made, relating to the cats food bowls, the complaint procedure, a first aid box and requesting written parental permission for emergency medical advice and treatment. The childminder has acted upon all these, ensuring children have no access to the cats' food and obtaining a first aid box, the contents of which are regularly checked. She has requested written permission from the parents enabling her to seek emergency

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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 medical advice and treatment for their child and has written a complaints policy and made it available for all the parents. These actions have ensured the safety and security of all children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

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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 times are recorded against all accident entries.

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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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