Ditcher, Rachel

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY320565 Inspection date 27 July 2006 Inspector Jacqueline Mason

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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 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her partner and son aged 15 months in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and currently cares for two children. She attends the local toddler group and is a member of the local childminding network.

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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. The childminder has satisfactory procedures in place to promote good hygiene although children are not always reminded to wash their hands before eating. Because of this children are not learning about the importance of good personal hygiene to promote good health. However, the childminder's home is clean and tidy. Effective procedures are in place for sick children to ensure that the best interests of all children are met if they are unwell. Children are protected well from the risks of cross infection, for example, all children have individual bedding and nappy changing mats. Although the childminder does not have written parental permission to apply sun cream to children she is careful to make sure that they are not outside in direct sunlight. She has all necessary written permissions to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Healthy eating is promoted effectively. The childminder has a sound understanding of

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy eating and offers a varied and balanced diet that encourages children to make healthy choices about what they eat. Fresh fruit and vegetables are offered at snack times and meal times. Dietary needs are discussed with parents to ensure that preferences are respected and special dietary needs are met. Drinks are readily available to encourage children to develop independence in helping themselves although the hygiene of babies bottles is not adequately maintained. However, children are encouraged to recognise when they are thirsty and younger children are reminded to have a drink especially when the weather is hot. Physical development is promoted well. The childminder ensures that children have plentiful opportunities for outings into the local environment as well as playing outdoors in the garden where a range of outdoor toys are available. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs and routines.

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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 welcoming, safe and secure environment both indoors and out. Suitable procedures for home safety ensure that children can play safely as the childminder has identified and minimized hazards. For example, a safety gate restricts access to the kitchen and exposed electrical sockets are covered. Security is good to ensure that children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised. External doors are kept locked at all times when children are playing indoors. Children are further protected because of good procedures for their arrival and departure. Fire evacuation procedures are in place to make sure that children are protected in the event of needing to evacuate the premises in an emergency. The childminder has identified an evacuation procedure and practises it occasionally with the children. Toys and equipment are clean, safe and suitable for their purpose. The childminder

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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 ensures that toys are appropriate for the age and level of understanding of the children. Children enjoy a variety of outings with the childminder, such as trips to the local park, fields and toddler groups. A written policy is in place that is shared with parents and carers. The childminder implements the policy to ensure that children are kept safe and their interests are met. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has a sound awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is able to put necessary procedures into practice to help safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good range of activities that promote all areas of development. Activities meet individual needs and provide good play opportunities that help children to build on their natural curiosity as learners. Children are offered choice and are encouraged to develop independence in selecting and carrying out activities. Toys are stored well in low-level storage drawers to enable children to self-select. The childminder provides an interesting and varied day including opportunities to be indoors and outside. She follows a consistent routine that helps children to be settled and secure. Children are developing a good awareness of the wider community through outings to the park, toddler groups and other community venues. Walks in the local environment broaden children's experiences and help them to discover the natural world around them. For example the childminder takes the children to a local park to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

look at the birds. Children's language skills are encouraged through the childminder talking to the children and responding positively to babies' sounds and gestures. She looks at books with them and encourages them to repeat single words to help develop their vocabulary. The childminder is interested in what the children say and do and this helps them to be settled and confident. She is aware of when children can manage alone and when they need support and through this their self-confidence is encouraged as they learn to manage tasks by themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing an awareness of the world around them through outings into the local environment. The range of toys and resources provided by the childminder to promote equal opportunities is satisfactory. However, the childminder has not got a thorough knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues to help her to promote positive images of culture, disability and gender effectively. For example children are discouraged from playing with toys, such as dressing-up clothes, that are not typical for their gender. Children have opportunities to mix with other children to help develop their social skills as they meet and play with others. The childminder manages children's behaviour well. Good behaviour is valued and praised and children feel secure knowing what they can and cannot do. Strategies to

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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 manage unwanted behaviour are appropriate to the age and level of understanding of the children to help them learn right from wrong. Children are confident in the consistent behaviour boundaries. They are learning to play harmoniously together and the childminder helps to develop their self-esteem through the use of praise, for example when they share and take turns. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that continuity of care is promoted and children's individual needs are met. She shares her written policies and procedures with them although the complaints procedure does not include up-to-date contact numbers for the regulator. Information is shared daily with parents and carers to keep them informed about the provision and their children's day. They

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are encouraged to share what they know about their children. The childminder does not currently care for children with disabilities or learning difficulties but has appropriate arrangements in place to enable her to do so.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has appropriate qualifications to enable her to child mind and is enthusiastic about further developing her child care skills and knowledge. A comprehensive range of written policies and procedures are in place that are shared with parents and carers to ensure that the care and welfare of children are promoted. Through this parents and carers are helped to make informed choices about their children's care. All necessary documentation is in place although the daily register is not always kept up to date. Documentation is stored securely to ensure that the confidentiality of information about individual children is maintained. Space within the childminder's home is used effectively to offer children a variety of play experiences and offer environments where children can play freely as well as providing quiet areas for rest and sleep. Children have trusting relationships with the

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Organisation

childminder and she offers sufficient adult support for them to feel valued and secure. The childminder has effective procedures to protect children from persons who have not been vetted, to help protect their welfare. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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): • improve hygiene standards with regard to hand-washing and the provision of drinks • ensure that the arrival and departure times of children are accurately recorded each day • develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues.

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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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