Beattie, Hayley

Inspection report for early years provision

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153338 Unique Reference Number 13 September 2006 Inspection date Pamela Woodhouse 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 satisfactory. 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 2001. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, four and six months in Corfe Mullen close to local schools and shops. The whole of the childminder's home is home is used for childminding, this includes the lounge, dining room and three bedrooms. Toilet facilities are available on the ground floor as well as on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available which provides opportunities for adventure play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged between three and six years part-time. The childminder collects the children from school and walks them back to her home.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the local support group and 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 are cared for in a warm, clean home where their health is promoted very well due to the positive measures the childminder has in place to prevent the spread of infection. These include, for example, children not attending when they are ill, having separate hand towels, and, for those children who use a cot, individual linen. Their health is further promoted because the childminder makes sure that her first aid skills are kept up-to-date by maintaining a current certificate and having proper recording procedures in place in relation to accidents which she shares with parents. This keeps them informed about the action or treatment administered to their children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to learn about personal health and hygiene through enjoyable topics and activities such as healthy eating and learning about how their bodies grow. They make models to imitate how their bodies work, cook and taste different foods, fruit and vegetables to reinforce this message. Children benefit from good opportunities to engage in regular activities to develop their physical skills. They play in the garden which provides good opportunities for adventure play on large and small equipment such as the slide, swing and wheeled toys and usually cycle or use their scooters on their way back from school. These activities help to develop the children's coordination and promote and encourage enjoyable exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe and secure in the childminder's care because she is vigilant in her supervision of them and implements regular risk assessments of her home and garden. She also ensures that children are kept safe when out walking by using appropriate restraints in the buggy and walking reins for toddlers. The childminder takes the children to traffic free areas such as the adventure play area and local woods so that they have wider play opportunities in a safe environment. They learn how to keep themselves and others safe, for example, they talk through the procedures of fire drills which they practise occasionally and are mindful of keeping small pieces away from babies. Children learn to use equipment safely because the childminder provides appropriate resources such as cutting tools and takes time to demonstrate how to handle these properly. Their sense of danger is effectively promoted through activities and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

games which test their understanding of safety. These include identifying potential danger zones in the home such as the kitchen and garden, discussing what the dangers are and how these can be made safer.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the welcoming, child centred environment. There is a good range of eminently suitable toys and equipment available to support their developmental needs and they are able to access their toys independently. This enables them to make their own choices, and, with the support of the childminder, decide for themselves the direction of their play.

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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 Children's welfare is safeguarded due to the childminder's understanding of child protection issues. She is mindful of the procedures to follow should she have a concern about children in her care and shares this information with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and secure in the childminder's care and have a good relationship with her and her own children. There is very good interaction and a mutual respect shown to each other. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child development, promoting this very well through her knowledge of the children's individual stage of learning. She makes sure that planned activities are adapted to suit their different abilities and ensures that these are enticing and fun so that children want to join in. However, she is also very adept at stepping in and out of their play so that she does not impinge on their ideas or take over by making unnecessary suggestions and detracting children from their own thoughts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have an exciting time and are offered very good challenges because the childminder promotes their independence and fosters their imagination in a relaxed and stimulating environment. They have access to a wide range of activities as diverse as cooking to constructing and are actively encouraged to use their own ideas. They make joint decisions with their peers about their play and are totally absorbed in their games, for example, creating a dinosaur park and time portal. The childminder skilfully extends activities to capture the children's interest and follows their lead by using their suggestions to move in a different direction such as developing the story of Peter Pan. This involves them making telescopes and masks which depict the characters and developing a pirate theme. Children play imaginatively outside making bivouacs in the woods and camouflaging the play house in the garden with tree prunings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Favourite activities are snail races and hunting for bugs in the breeding ground they have created with twigs and wood. All of these activities encourage the children's sense of adventure and gives them the opportunity to learn from practical and pleasurable experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a secure and positive relationship with each other and play cooperatively together, taking turns and sharing ideas. Their self-esteem is promoted well through the continual praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. Consequently they are confident, self-assured and have a strong sense of belonging to their environment. Children are well behaved and know what is expected of them, respecting their boundaries which are few and showing sensitivity to others, for example, their younger peers. They have the opportunity to appreciate and value the wider world through discussions with the childminder and from a range of books and play resources which positively promote diversity including culture, disability and gender.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's positive partnership with parents. Their individual needs are discussed regularly and there is a daily verbal exchange of information to ensure that both parties are kept informed about the children's progress. The childminder does not have

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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 experience of caring for children with special needs, however, demonstrates a positive attitude to providing care which is appropriate to their specific needs. The childminder has most parental consents in place, however, some of these are verbal and not written. She has not implemented a complaints procedure and therefore parents are not aware of how they can make a complaint should the need arise.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is clear about protecting children from people who have not been vetted and ensures that they are properly supervised at all times. She is mindful of the importance of maintaining records, however, her documentation is not organised well. This means that she is unable to retrieve children's individual information quickly.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to her role and her obvious enjoyment of caring and providing good play opportunities for them. She organises herself to ensure that she gives her full attention to the children and uses space effectively to enable them to play freely. They are able to leave their displays and models out overnight so that they can resume playing with these the next day which demonstrates to the children that what they do is important and worth while.

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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 childminder agreed to ensure that her child protection procedures comply with local procedures, increase her knowledge of providing care for children with special needs and ensure that activities and resources promote equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has addressed all of these issues by attending training to increase her knowledge of child protection procedures and know what to do should she have any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder is mindful of seeking information from parents and other professionals to enable her to provide appropriate care for children with special needs. She has increased her play resources and introduced activities to promote equality of opportunity. This helps to promote children's awareness of diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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Complaints 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

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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 satisfactory. 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): • request permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure that a record of complaints is maintained and shared wirh parents • ensure that all records relating to childminding are sufficiently organised so that they are readily accessible.

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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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