Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY321118 Unique Reference Number 26 September 2006 Inspection date Denise May Smith 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 will be registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, seven and nine years old in a Fenland town. The whole of her house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children over five before and after school. She walks to the local school to take and collect children and will attend the local parent and toddler group. The family has a dog, cats, rabbits and some fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of physical activities in the home and outdoors, which positively contribute to their physical development and good health. The children go for walks with the

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 dog and play actively in the garden as they play on the climbing equipment, with balls and with wheeled toys. Activities such as a dance mat and twister are provided indoors if the weather is poor so that children continue to experience physical exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm and clean home where good hygiene practices and routines are implemented to protect their health. They begin to understand about the importance of good hygiene and personal care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about the benefit of a healthy diet as the childminder has a good understanding of their individual dietary needs. She works in partnership with parents to ensure children benefit from healthy eating and introduces new tastes to children such as star fruits and mangos, encouraging the children to try these different fruits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children confidently choose toys and equipment from the range and variety available. They are provided with toys and equipment that are clean, safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where most positive steps have been taken to ensure the setting is safe. As a result, the risk of accidental injury is minimised and children are able to play safely. However, some of the plants in the garden potentially may pose a danger to children. The childminder has regard to the safety of children both indoors and outdoors. For example, responsible road safety practices are encouraged through the use of the Green Cross Code. The childminder helps children understand how to keep themselves safe by having sensible boundaries in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is promoted at all times. The childminder is aware of her duty to protect children and would follow child protection procedures if needed. The childminder’s home is well maintained. She has identified potential risks and put safety precautions and practices in place, to minimise risks and protect children from accidents. For example, she has divided the garden into two areas so that younger children can play safely as older children play with balls and on the more challenging equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well and are confident in the childminder's home. She makes it welcoming for them by providing developmentally appropriate activities and resources, which they are able to access for themselves enabling them to make choices in their play. They take part in interesting activities that help children to make progress. They make models out of clay, make ‘craft presents’ for their parents and enjoy baking cakes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures the children have opportunities to play indoors and outside and makes use of the mobile library which visits the village enabling the children to borrow books. The

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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 childminder has the 'Birth to three matters' framework to refer to, but is not currently caring for any children under three years old.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good relationships with the childminder. Consistent support and meaningful praise and encouragement help children to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals and their needs are appropriately met. Children and parents are warmly welcomed by the childminder and are happy, confident and relaxed in the setting. Their individual needs are met in accordance with parent's wishes. This is supported by detailed documentation and verbal communication with parents on a daily basis. The childminder is unclear about the new procedures regarding dealing with any complaints that may arise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good use is made of local amenities which helps children to develop a sense of belonging and they begin to be aware of their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given praise to reinforce their achievements. They respond well to the positive methods used by the childminder to manage their behaviour and, as a result, are well behaved.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel relaxed and at home in the well organised environment. They are confident to explore their surroundings and to initiate their own play and learning. The childminder has attending the required training and children benefit from the home-from-home environment offered.

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Organisation

The childminder follows procedures and good practice to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Parents are verbally informed about how children spend their day, their progress and achievements. The childminder gathers appropriate information about the children in order that she can offer appropriate care to meet their individual needs. All of the required records and documentation is in place, and most appropriately maintained.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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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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): • ensure that the register of attendance reflects the actual times children are present rather than the contracted hours • minimise risks to children by establishing if any plants in the garden are poisonous • develop systems so that any complaints can be dealt with in line with new regulations and make this policy available to parents.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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