Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY260053 Unique Reference Number 05 September 2006 Inspection date Angela Dyer 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 13 years in Bedworth, Warwickshire. The house is within walking distance of shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes along with the downstairs toilet and washbasin. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children who attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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's health is well protected through the high levels of hygiene, which are maintained throughout the childminder's home. They are well supported in understanding simple health and hygiene practices, through daily routines and learning from the childminder, who is a positive role model. Appropriate measures are taken by the childminder to minimise the possible spread of infection, including providing children with paper towels for hand drying.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to learn about the importance of physical exercise as they engage in fun activities including playing football in the garden, trips to the park to feed the ducks and visits to the local playgroup where they can play on bikes and other small equipment. Children's rest and sleep times are organised to meet their individual needs and preferences.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a professional understanding of the required documentation in the event of administering medication or first aid. The childminder also has a first aid box available to deal with any minor accidents effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinking water and fruit juices throughout the day, which ensures that they remain hydrated. Children are well nourished and the childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and children's individual dietary needs.

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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 comfortable and child-friendly home. Potential risks to children have been identified and appropriate safety measures put in place, including low level safety glass, fitted fire guard and stair gates to prevent unsupervised access to the kitchen and stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to learn about the importance of keeping themselves safe as the childminder gives them gentle reminders of safety rules, including not running inside. Children are informed of the evacuation procedures, however, they do not have opportunities to practise the fire drill to gain confidence about what to do in the event of an emergency. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are 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 well protected because the childminder has a clear understanding of the child protection procedures and is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care. Parents are made aware of these procedures so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns about their children.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy and settled in her care. Throughout activities and routines, the childminder interacts with the children playing, listening and talking to them, whilst extending their language as she introduces new vocabulary. Children's confidence and self-esteem are enhanced due to the childminder's use of praise and encouragement. Children relate well to each other and are encouraged by the childminder to socialise with other children through regular attendance at a local playgroup.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to access a wide range of stimulating and age-appropriate resources to enable them to make independent choices about their play. Children enjoy role play, dancing, play dough and art activities with the childminder who enhances children's sensory experiences by adding different textures to paint including sand and grass. Older children attending after school are able to select from activities including arts and crafts, outside play and games including Monopoly, Jenga and Battleships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from a family atmosphere where their backgrounds are valued and respected. Children make themselves at home, confidently moving around the room selecting their own toys. The childminder has a suitable understanding of equality issues and children have equal access to all toys. Although the childminder has no experience of providing care for children having identified special educational needs, she is aware of the importance of working in partnership with parents and other professionals to meet the needs of the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder keeps records about children's individual needs and parents are informed of any issues relating to their child's care and progress through daily discussions. This means that children benefit from consistent care both at home and with the childminder. However, the childminder does not maintain an appropriate complaints log for parents to see on request.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond to the childminder's clear and consistent expectations about acceptable behaviour. They are encouraged to share, take turns, use manners and have consideration for others. The childminder has an appropriate range of strategies in place to deal with behaviour, including distraction, praise and encouragement. Strategies are discussed and agreed with parents to promote consistency and are detailed in the childminder's behaviour policy.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Most documentation, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being, is in place. The childminder displays her certificate of registration along with her first aid certificate for parents information. Other useful records including policies and procedures are available to parents in a portfolio to enhance their understanding of her practices. The childminder has ensured that all adults in the household have been suitably checked.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are happy in the childminder's care benefiting from her enthusiasm and enjoyment in her role. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to further developing her skills and knowledge of childcare issues through attending further training including 'Birth to three matters' and a festivals and celebrations workshop. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, increase the range of resources, which promote equality, and ensure that the electric sockets and overflow pipe are inaccessible to children. The childminder has sought written consent from all parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and children's safety has been improved as all socket covers and overflow pipes are now inaccessible. The childminder has increased the range of resources promoting equality to enhance children's awareness of the wider world and continues to extend upon these through accessing the local library.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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): • maintain a record of all complaints made by parents, which they can see on request • ensure that an emergency escape plan has been practised.

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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 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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