Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY216500 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2006 Inspection date Hilary Elizabeth Tierney Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This childminder has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and five children aged 20, 18, 11, eight and six years old. They live in a detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac situated on the village of Cam approximately two miles from Dursley in Gloucestershire. There are local shops, playing field and school within walking distance. The ground floor area of the house is mostly used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family own a dog, but he has no access to minded children.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She may provide care for five children under eight years of age and currently has seven part-time children on roll.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about good hygiene practices as they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. The children all have their own flannels and towels for face washing and hand drying, this helps to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder is a good role model as she uses gloves for changing nappies. There is a written health policy in place and she makes sure that parents are aware that they need to keep their children at home when ill. All parental emergency numbers are in place and easily to hand, these are kept with a list of authorised people who are able to collect the children. The family's dog is cared for appropriately and poses no health risk to children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide their children with packed lunches which are stored appropriately to maintain freshness. Drinks are available for children at all times and the childminder ensures children can access these easily. The childminder has a sound knowledge of nutrition and provides healthy snacks for the children in her care. She is fully aware of children's individual dietary needs. She understands the need to discuss with parents their child's dietary needs when providing snacks. Younger children are regularly offered drinks to prevent them becoming dehydrated.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The house and garden are secure and children are unable to leave them unsupervised. The house is well maintained, clean and welcoming for children. All toys and equipment are clean and in a good state of repair. They are safe, age appropriate and fit for their purpose.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder makes good use of safety gates to prevent children entering areas unsupervised. For example tall gates are used to ensure the children do not enter the kitchen and prevents the dog getting out. The childminder has carefully thought out emergency escape procedures in place, however, she has not practised these with children. This puts children at risk. The childminder has a password system to prevent unauthorised adults collecting children. However, she has not obtained written parental permissions, on new contracts, to enable her to take children on outings.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedure to follow in the event of having a concern about a child in her care. Records of existing injuries are kept and shared with parents.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their play and learn through a good range of activities offered to them from cookery to imaginary play. During summer walks are taken daily to explore the nearby woods and parks. Outside play is easily accessible in the enclosed garden and children may wander

p.3

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 between outside and inside whenever they choose. Due to the layout of the property the childminder is able to supervise children well at all times.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle well on arrival and greet not only the childminder and other minded children, but the childminder's own children and husband. Children understand they may choose activities from the resources that are easily available. One child decides to be an 'army man' and the childminder helps dress them up in the clothes, this child then goes off to protect people outside. The childminder offers help when required during games and puzzles, she gently encourages children to find the pieces of puzzles for themselves and praises them when they get them right. Children develop their creative interests with various art activities such as painting hand-made paper aeroplanes and making necklaces and bracelets from threading beads.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder responds well to the needs of individual children offering help and guidance for activities when required. She provides a range of resources that reflect the world around them. She has some experience of children with special needs and is prepared to take a child as long as support and guidance is available.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder uses praise and encouragement naturally as children share and take turns as they play games together. They are polite and helpful during their time with the childminder. Children help set the table for lunch and sit well as they eat. The childminder has a calm, caring approach towards the children and encourages them to be kind to each other.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

A good relationship with parents has developed. The childminder and parents share a daily diary to keep each other informed. All emergency numbers are kept up-to-date for parents and most written parental permissions are in place.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and has all necessary documents available for inspection. She keeps her registers up-to-date and records actual times of children's arrival and departure. Contracts are regularly renewed with parents, however, this has lead to written parental permission to enable the childminder to take children on outings not being obtained. All other necessary parental permissions are in place and their emergency numbers are close to hand. Although there are clear written procedures in place for emergency evacuation of the property, these have not been practised with the children.

p.4

Organisation

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

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The provider had three actions from the last inspection. These were to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder has now successfully completed a first aid course and is confident in dealing with minor accidents. The childminder also needed to ensure that adults in the household had been suitably cleared and inform Ofsted of any significant changes of events. She has completed both these actions successfully and now all adults are cleared as suitable, so they now pose no risk to children and she is fully aware that she needs to inform Ofsted of any further significant changes or events. The successful completion of all these actions ensures that the children are now safe when at the childminder's home.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 emergency fire escape procedures are practised with children and written parental permission is obtained to enable children to be taken on outings.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5