Birks Kathryn

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY292074 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Cheryl Wilson

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her partner and 2 sons aged 5 and 10 years, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding purposes, with bathroom facilities provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children at various times through the week. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local amenities such as toddler and childminder groups, the library, shops and play parks. 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 are cared for in a warm, well-maintained and clean home. They learn about the importance of good hygiene through the daily routines. For example, they wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet to prevent cross-infection. The childminder ensures she has most of the appropriate documentation to support children's health needs, including a current first aid certificate. However, she has not recorded the required details with regard to medication administered to children. Children are beginning to learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and diet. They regularly develop their physical skills by playing active games in the garden. In addition they visit local parks and soft play centres to enable them to climb, swing, balance and run in a fun environment. Children enjoy nutritious foods such as fruit and vegetables as part of their daily snacks and meals. Older children help

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Helping children to be healthy

themselves to juice, milk or water; while babies and toddlers are offered drinks on a regular basis through the day. As a result they become aware of the importance of making healthy food and drink choices to help their bodies grow and develop.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment both indoors and outside. The childminder undertakes regular risk assessments of her home and play materials to ensure that potential hazards are minimised. She has well-organised fire safety precautions in place and children are fully aware of what to in the event of a fire. Children are well protected by the childminder's close supervision and good safety precautions while out in the community. For example, she talks to children about all aspects of road safety; fastens them securely into pushchairs with the harness; and takes a travel first aid kit with emergency contact numbers. In order to keep the children in her care safe, the childminder has gained the government's information about child protection, but her knowledge is still limited in some areas. From a young age, children enjoy being independent in the home as they make

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

choices of what to play with from the easily accessible trolleys and boxes. They enthusiastically explore the age-appropriate toys available to them. Children take responsibility, along with the childminder, for ensuring that the play materials are clean and safe by checking them as they are got out or put away.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other, demonstrating care and consideration. Through a good range of toys, games and activities children are able

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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 to make some individual decisions in their learning. They benefit from the warm relationship and support they receive from the childminder. They participate in some planned activities such as making a collage, painting, sticking and drawing to foster their creativity and imagination. Children particularly enjoy their regular visits into the community to look at animals, play at the park or do the shopping. Children are fully included in the shopping process as they decide what they need, make shopping lists, recognise food and labels and pay for their goods. As a result they further develop their language, literacy and number skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They enjoy each other's company and children are at ease in their play. Their good behaviour is appropriately fostered by the childminder's positive reinforcement. Detailed information is exchanged with parents to ensure children are cared for within their usual routines. Parents receive verbal and written information to keep them well informed about the setting and their children's care and development. Appropriate systems are in place to include children with additional needs. Children are beginning to learn about their local community through going on trips to the local park, soft play centre, toddler groups and shops. They learn about some aspects of the wider world through participating in craft and baking activities related to festivals such as Christmas, Diwali, Easter and Chinese New Year. However, there are limited play materials to support children's independent learning about society or

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to foster a positive attitude towards similarities and differences.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children have good levels of support and supervision to enable them to feel secure in the setting. As a result they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Well written policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents to support the appropriate care of children. Their needs and routines are discussed on a daily basis, which contributes to continuity in the children's care. Confidentiality is maintained to ensure children's privacy and dignity. The childminder is committed to improving the service she provides for children by attending the Introduction to Childminding Practice and First Aid courses. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 There are no complaints to report.

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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): • continue to build your knowledge of child protection, the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and what to do in the event of a concern • ensure that a written record is kept of all medicines administered to children and that parents sign the record book to acknowledge the entry • continue to develop the range of resources and activities used to promote children's knowledge of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures 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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