Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY280507 Unique Reference Number 01 September 2006 Inspection date Judith Anne Kerr 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband, three adult children and daughter aged 13 years. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children on a variety of placements . The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and takes the children to the park and library.

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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 a broad range of activities which contribute to their good health. They have the opportunity to develop control of their bodies. For example, young babies who are unable to sit are encouraged to reach for toys and older children enjoy trips out to the park where they can swing, slide and chase around. This helps them all to develop coordination, balance and promotes their physical development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a very clean home where they learn about good hygiene habits, such as washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder implements beneficial hygiene procedures, such as wiping down surfaces on a regular basis. This minimises the risks to children of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's clear understanding of a healthy diet. They are beginning to understand the importance of making healthy choices, such as fruit and vegetables to support their physical well-being and development. Children's individual dietary needs are recorded and respected at all times. This ensures that children's individual needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a well maintained home where the childminder gives a high priority to safety. The childminder has taken steps to ensure that children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, such as covering electrical sockets and practising the emergency evacuation procedure. As a result children are able to move around freely and confidently. Children are beginning to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe as the childminder explains boundaries. For example, she ensures the children understand the importance of tidying away toys so they do not trip up.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and resources are varied, suitable and easily accessible. This allows children to make choices and develop their independence. The childminder carefully supervises children's choices of toys to ensure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has the required documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a valid first aid certificate and a good understanding of child protection issues and procedures. This ensures children are well protected from harm and abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are provided with a wide range of age appropriate activities which enable them to learn new skills. Resources are arranged at child height which enables the children to make their own choices and develop independence. The childminder utilises local amenities, such as

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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 the park and library to widen children's experiences. This increases their awareness of the world around them and allows them opportunities to access different play equipment. Children are able to socialise with other children when they visit the local toddler group. This helps them to become confident and independent.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder dedicates time playing and talking to the children. She shares warm, caring relationships with the children and offers lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and cuddles; as a result, children are happy, content and relaxed in her home and care. The children benefit from routines which are consistent with their experiences at home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages children's early communication skills. She responds to baby's babbles in gentle tones, introduces new words and sounds and sings songs, such as snap goes the crocodile; this reinforces early speech patterns. Children have opportunities to learn new skills. For example, as the childminder makes jelly with them she discusses how the liquid cools and the jelly sets. They count and sort the shells the childminder has brought back from her holidays to encourage mathematical concepts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a wide range of age appropriate activities, such as making fish from paper plates, baking batman cookies and planting sunflower seeds. They clearly enjoy the play opportunities as they discuss how the seeds grow into flowers and demonstrate which flower is the biggest and who planted it.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides resources, such as books, jigsaws and dolls which reflect diversity and give the children opportunities to learn about the wider community. As a result, children learn about differences in society and how to develop a positive attitude towards others. The childminder has a positive attitude towards special needs and works in close partnership with parents to ensure the specific needs of all children are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the fine relationships the childminder has developed with parents. The progress of young babies is discussed and reviewed frequently to ensure consistency and continuity of care. Daily informal discussions at the end of the day keep parents informed about the provision and their children's activities. Parents speak highly of the childminder and appreciate how she provides ''love, respect, kindness and caters for individual needs".

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave very well and respond to the consistent boundaries set by the childminder. She speaks to the children in a calm and sensitive manner. For example, she reminds the children why it is important to take their time and not rush on the stairs. Older children support younger children as they help to put the clothes on the doll. Children's efforts and achievements are continually celebrated; this promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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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 good. Children's care is enhanced by the childminder's good organisation. They feel at home and at ease in a well arranged environment. There is lots of space to play in comfort with resources being organised to promote their independence. This encourages them to make their own choices about their play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to improving the high quality of care she provides for the children. To support her professional development she attends ongoing training, such as child protection and Birth to three matters framework. All adults with access to the children are suitable and ratios of adults to children are met at all times. This helps to keep children safe.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place and well organised. This promotes continuity of care for the children and promotes their health and well-being. However, the certificate of registration is not displayed for parents to see.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to increase resources and activities promoting equality of opportunity, request permission for administering medication and seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is a good range of resources available which encourage the children to appreciate the wider world and increase their understanding of equality of opportunity. All the necessary consents are in place to promote children's good health.

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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. 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 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 the certificate of registration is displayed.

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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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