Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262450 Unique Reference Number 20 June 2006 Inspection date Judith Chinnery 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?

This childminder has been registered with Ofsted since March 2003. She lives with her husband who is registered as her assistant and two children aged 10 and four years. When minding together they offer eight places to children aged under eight years. They currently care for 10 all aged between birth and 11 years, at different times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a semi-detached house in Derbyshire close to shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor area of the property is used for childminding. The rooms on the first floor are not used except for the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminding group.

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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 and well-being is promoted well in the setting. Children are well nourished with a variety of foods which include fruit and vegetables. They enjoy sitting together to eat apples and raisins at snack time as well as freshly prepared meals during the day. The childminder and her assistant work closely with the parents to provide children with what they like and need. Children's understanding of healthy eating and foods is beginning to develop as they talk about healthy choices during meal times and in cooking activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Hand washing routines are well-established and children happily follow instructions to clean their hands and faces, which helps to minimise the spread of infection. Detailed records are kept regarding any accidents or medication which contributes effectively to children's well-being and safety.

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Helping children to be healthy

Outdoor play and physical exercise is a daily feature for children in this setting. The children enjoy being able to access the garden from the play room to freely explore and run about in. Children are growing in their confidence to test their large body skills on the climbing frame and happily use the ride on toys to push or pedal themselves along. Children can rest comfortably and peacefully according to their needs either in a pushchair or on the settee where they can be easily observed.

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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 setting that is well maintained and safe. Children are well protected in the setting because the both the childminder and her assistant have a good knowledge of local child protection guidelines and know what to do should they have any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The prevention of accidents is given a high priority with safety precautions, such as stair gates, cupboard locks and socket covers minimising hazards to children. Documents and records, such as childminding and car insurance are kept up to date ensuring that children are safe both inside and out. Outings to parks and other places of interest are well planned with children's safety in mind.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can move around and play freely and safely because the areas used by them are well equipped with a wide variety of resources which are safe and appropriate for their age and stage. Children enjoy being able to make decisions about their play and can access resources easily from boxes and low shelves. They can sit safely at the table to eat and play because the childminder uses appropriate chairs with harnesses when needed.

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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 are happy and well settled in this setting. They enjoy a wide range of activities which help them play and learn. They are easily absorbed by activities such as painting and sticking as well as role-playing different scenarios with the dolls and pushchairs. Children play well together with some of the older ones sharing ideas and resources and involving each other in pretending to take the babies for a walk. Younger children enjoy exploring the playroom and finding the toy people and cars. The childminder and her assistant have begun to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support young children's play and learning and encourage them to explore and find out how things work for themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children know their way around the childminder's home and are confident to ask for what they want or to help themselves to accessible activities such as the dressing up. Children's language skills are encouraged well since the childminder and her assistant share conversations about daily happenings as well as stories with them. Children love to pick the lavender in the garden to smell it because adults also draw children's attention to the natural world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well supported in joining in and making a personal contribution in this setting. The children enjoy a warm and close relationship with both the childminder and her assistant which helps them to settle well and feel safe and secure. Good relationships are forged with parents and information about each child's care is shared on a daily basis to ensure that children's individual needs are met. While information regarding how to complain is clear, any complaints that might be made by parents are not yet recorded which means that sometimes information about children's care is not always transparent to all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder and her assistant have a good knowledge of equal opportunities. They use resources, such as books which reflect positive images of children and families to introduce children to differences. The celebration of various festivals including Diwali and Halloween helps children to learn about other cultures and enables them to develop a respect for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's active involvement in a community childminding scheme means that they offer care to children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The children are well supported because she and her assistant work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure their needs are met. Activities are accessible and adapted to suit the children's needs so that all children are included in the life of the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved in the setting. They play easily together and share toys willingly and accept the intervention of adults. She and her assistant work closely together to ensure that all children receive the same messages and are well supported in taking responsibility for their own behaviour.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care, learning and play is actively supported by the childminder and her assistant because they work effectively together and organise their day around the needs of the children. They receive plenty of individual attention because the number of children cared for each day is planned and meets the requirements of the National Standards.

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Organisation

Both the childminder and her assistant like to participate in local child care training courses in order to keep their knowledge up to date. Their sound understanding of childcare and development ensure that children are well cared for and protected. Records are kept accurately and up to date supporting and promoting children's ability to stay healthy, safe, enjoy and achieve and make a positive contribution. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in December 2003 the childminder was asked to improve children's safety by removing some hazards in the garden. Since the last inspection the childminder has removed any items posing a hazard such as loose slabs and paint pots from the garden and children are able to play freely and safely.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004.

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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 any complaints made by parents

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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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