Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333971 Unique Reference Number 21 September 2006 Inspection date Shirley Ann Jackson 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 13, 10 and five years. Their home is a semi-detached house in the Village of Twyning, near Tewkesbury.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently six minded children on roll aged 14 months to 10 years. The whole of the property is available for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Care is provided on a full- or part-time basis throughout the year. 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 satisfactory. Children develop a satisfactory awareness of health and hygiene through established daily routines. For example, children wash there hands before eating lunch and the childminder explains "it's to get rid of any germs". Children who become ill are well cared for. The childminder ensures that the risk of cross infection is minimised as parents are aware of the importance of keeping sick children at home. Appropriate procedures are in place for administering medication. However, written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment has not been obtained for all children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a nutritious and balanced range of meals and snacks. The childminder raises children's awareness of healthy eating as she discusses what different foods provide, such as, cheese giving you healthy teeth and bones. Older children are sometimes involved in the preparation of meals. For example, spreading margarine on to a sandwich and filling it with cheese and then cutting it with help from the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Sleep patterns of young children are followed to give consistency of care. However, children sleep in the buggy or on the sofa which does not provide suitable support or space.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors and to enjoy fresh air and exercise. The childminder has a variety of outdoor play resources to use in the garden and the children enjoy spending time outside. Children are also taken to local parks to play on large equipment and for walks in the local area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move safely within the childminder's home. They are kept safe as the childminder supervises them well and takes account of children's stage of development when identifying and minimising risks. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them throughout the day. For example, she reminds children to hold on to the handrail when going downstairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have some access to a good range of toys and resources which are good quality and suitable for their stage of development. Children learn how to use resources safely, for example, being careful when using scissors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare. She has attended training relating to child protection. This has given her up-to-date knowledge of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if she has any concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well and are comfortable in the childminder's home. They enjoy their play. Young children are helped to develop clear speech as the childminder constantly talks to the children about what they are doing. They develop mathematical concepts during play and the daily routine. For example, the childminder talks about cutting the sandwich in half and then into quarters and she asks the children what shape they would their carrot cut into at lunchtime.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their imagination and creativity. For example, they cut up cards and then stick them on to paper. Children are encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves, such as, attempting to write their name on their work.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children benefit from routines which are consistent with those followed at home. They are offered some activities which encourage them to use their senses, such as cooking and painting. Children show interest and excitement in what they do and are keen to demonstrate their abilities. For example, they get excited when they realise that by mixing paints they can make another colour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to take part in the wider community by visiting local parks and shops. They learn about diversity as they play with resources including books, jigsaws and small world resources. Children's social skills are developed as they occasionally go to the local toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and polite as they respond to prompts to say "please" and "thank you". Children are comfortable in the childminder's home and in her company. They build positive relationships with the childminder's family and with other children attending. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities and ensures that all children are included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gives children some opportunities to make their own choices, such as what to have in their sandwich at lunchtime. Children are also able to decide what they would like to play with from the available resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's friendly relationship with parents. Parents are able to look at the childminder's brief policies and chat through their child's care needs. The childminder ensures consistency of care as she completes a daily diary which records details of the child's day.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises the space within her home to enable children to play freely and access some resources for themselves. Children are well supervised and the childminder has taken effective measures to minimise potential risks within her home.

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Organisation

Most of the childminding records and documents are well maintained. However, the childminder does not have a log to record any concerns which can be shared with parents. The childminder has made a positive start to her childminding career and overall meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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): • provide suitable sleeping arrangements for babies and young children • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for all children • produce a complaints log to record any concerns and make this available to anyone who requests it

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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 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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