King Claire Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306037 Inspection date 09 August 2006 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine years. They live in a quiet residential area of Panshanger on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding; children do access upstairs to use the family bathroom and to play in the bedrooms when invited by the minder's own children. The property is within walking distance of the shops and local schools. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have two cats. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children. No minded children were present at the time of the inspection.

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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 showed examples of the documents of how the children's individual needs are recorded and met. She describes how children are learning about good personal hygiene through their day to day routines. The childminder has a sound understanding of healthy eating. She provides snacks for the children as they come in from school and lunches during the school holidays offering water and low sugar drinks alongside fruit and snacks as agreed by parents. The childminder explained how children have various opportunities to develop their physical skills with walks to and from school and regular outings to the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder explained how she promotes the children's safety around the home, she is aware of the possible dangers and discusses the issues with the children and their parents. Children over five years are invited upstairs to play by the minder's own children, they are reminded to take care and not to climb. Children walk to school each day, they are learning about road safety and different aspects of their local community so they are well prepared for when they start to go out on their own. The childminder demonstrated that she has the contact number for referrals should she have any concerns about children in her care. However she does not have information or leaflets that gives guidance to childcare providers with regards to child protection procedures and parents are not made aware of her commitment to maintaining the children's well-being at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion with the childminder she explained how she provides a range of activities both in the home and out in the community. For example, there is a variety of art and craft materials stored at low level and easily accessible to all the children. Children are taken to the local park and in the school holidays they enjoy going out for picnics. The childminder explained how older children are able to join her own children to play upstairs and to take advantage of a good selection of toys. School age children are supported with reading and home work. When caring for younger children the provider ensures they have access to age appropriate resources and outings to toddler and activity groups.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder discussed various outings and events that the children take part in that develop their understanding of their local community and the wider world. She demonstrated how children have equal access to the resources and how this develops their confidence and decision making skills. Detail about the children's day to day routines is shared with parents. They are shown basic documents with regard to the childminding service such as the registration certificate and detail of the insurance cover. However, they are not kept fully informed about the registration requirements, the service provided, the training that the childminder has attended or how she promotes the children's play opportunities and monitors the safety and well-being of the children in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder explained how she organises the weeks routines around the part-time arrangements that are currently in place. She takes into account the children's home routines and compliments them with a balanced range of activities and outings. The childminder shows she keeps adequate documents in place to ensure that children's individual needs are recorded and met. Attending the required Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP) would enhance her practice and the documents she keeps in relation to her registration. Overall, the evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This was the providers first inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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 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): • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and ensure the information is kept readily available • review and update information for parents and to include training attended, child protection information, detail of the childminding service offered and the new complaints procedure.

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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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