Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY218901 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2006 Inspection date Susan Marriott 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and their seven-year-old daughter in their house in central Dunstable, Bedfordshire. The family have two cats. The downstairs of the childminder's house is used for minding and toilet facilities are located on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years and is currently caring for five children on a flexible basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 enjoy a suitable range of activities that contribute to their good health. The children are out in the fresh air regularly. Children play in the well-equipped garden, where they improve their agility as they play on slides, a swing and scooters. Although the childminder sometimes uses her car to transport the children to and from nurseries, schools and pre-schools, children enjoy regular walks to local parks and playgrounds. They visit places further afield where they can run and play. For example, the children enjoy themselves at the zoo, the farm park and Studham Play Day. These activities effectively support the development and improvement of children’s physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children learn to keep themselves healthy as they chat about washing the germs off their hands. The childminder has a clear formal hygiene policy which she implements consistently to prevent the spread of infection when dealing with bodily fluids and potties. Sound procedures are in place for children who are unwell and the childminder always acts in the best interests of the child concerned. She maintains an accident book in accordance with requirements and keeps her first aid certificate up to date. However, appropriate parental permissions are not in place to protect children's welfare. Young children are able to sleep according to their needs in a suitable quiet area of the house.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that healthy snacks are available for children and offers to provide healthy, cooked meals. Some parents choose to provide a packed lunch from home so that they are in full control of their child's diet. Children access drinks at all times so they do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for within a very clean, tidy, safe and secure home environment. The childminder makes excellent use of space to provide many purposeful activities and opportunities for children. The children's play area is very well decorated with colourful wall displays of the children's work and posters. Children independently select activities from a broad range of resources, efficiently stored at child height on low shelving and low level drawer units. Toys and equipment are in a good state of repair and are age appropriate. The childminder provides opportunities for a wide variety of creative activities and proudly displays photographs of the children at play. She carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys, to ensure that small parts cannot present a hazard and that they are suitably challenging for the child's age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has identified and minimised most risks, ensuring children are able to move around and play safely, freely and independently. Appropriate safety measures are in place and the childminder vigilantly supervises children at all times. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, and has clear rules and routines

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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 in order to maintain their safety outside the home. However, appropriate parental permissions for transporting children in a vehicle, are not in place. The childminder has a simple written policy about child protection which is shared with parents. Children are very safe with the childminder, who has a highly secure understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy themselves in this home from home environment where the childminder treats each child as a member of her own family. The childminder experiments with different ways of planning activities whilst being aware of the need to be flexible so that she can follow the children's lead. She uses the library for ideas and activity sheets and includes outings to places such as Tring Museum, Mead Farm and Priory Gardens. Children therefore benefit from wide range of fun and exciting activities throughout the year. Children make independent choices in their play and are able to choose from a wide variety of toys and equipment, which are placed within easy reach. Children 'Get in a Twist', playing a variation on the popular game, using a world map mat. Very young children have regular opportunities to draw and to use scissors. Photographs show children involved in play in the paddling pool, a Halloween Party and building

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

a snowman. The children meet Santa, when he makes a special visit to the childminder's home to deliver presents at Christmas! He even chipped the letterbox, an episode which the children recall with great delight.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is highly skilled at developing the children's knowledge and understanding through discussions and their play. The childminder uses her life experience and intuitively incorporates elements of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support her work with young children. Children form good relationships with the childminder which makes them feel secure and fosters a sense of belonging. The childminder is very attentive to the individual needs of the children and she respond readily to their requests. The children focus exceptionally well on their chosen activities and demonstrate excellent concentration. For example, children sit and paint pictures at a low table set up in the living room. They chat together and demonstrate a well-developed sense of cooperation and negotiation as they pass the paint pots to one another and take turns. They develop confidence and self-esteem as they help to tidy up the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toys and receive lots of praise for their positive achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others is actively increased because the childminder provides books and toys which reflect a range of disabilities and cultures to promote a positive view of the wider world. She cuts pictures from magazines which stimulate discussion on a wide range of varied topics. For example, a volcano erupting, swans mating, floods in China, the 'Tour de France', and a child holding an empty bowl in Africa. Minded children therefore develop an understanding of differences through the normal daily play. The childminder plans ahead and skilfully anticipates the potential needs of children in her care. Children know where they stand because the childminder is extremely consistent in her

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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 management of behaviour. Children learn about the consequences of their actions and begin to learn to play with others in a true spirit of cooperation and respect. She is caring and fair and this ensures that children behave well because they know what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children and their parents are highly valued and respected as individuals. The childminder initially seeks as much information about the child as possible to help the settling in process and then takes the time and trouble to get to know them really well. The childminder meets their needs through the daily routine as discussed with their parents. The childminder encourages all parents to discuss any problems they may have with the care given to their child and has a suitable complaints procedure in line with new requirements. The childminder ensures that home-link books and daily discussion about the service provided keeps parents informed about their child's activities. Many parents take the time and trouble to write highly complementary testimonies and confirm their delight in their childminder's ability to look after children in a caring and nurturing environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are genuinely happy and content in the well-organised care of this friendly and caring childminder. She uses her life experience as a mother and sound common sense to promote very good outcomes for children. Children are well-protected and sensitively cared for because this childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. Children feel part of an extended family and are gently nurtured in the child-orientated environment. The childminder is conscientious in delivering all aspects of her service and uses her constantly developing formal procedures and routines to effectively promote the care, learning and welfare of all children. The childminder keeps a register of attendance and notes the actual times of arrival and departure of the children. The childminder has a generally clear working knowledge and understanding of the National Standards. However, required parental permissions are not

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Organisation

in place. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure that all accidents, including minor ones are recorded in the accident book. The childminder now has a clear understanding of what to record and the accident book is being kept in accordance with requirements. This clarification has improved the safety and welfare of children.

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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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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): • ensure that written parental consent, is sought at the time of placement, for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment, to administer medicine, to take photographs, and to transport children in a vehicle • extend the use of the self-evaluation form as a tool to continue to monitor and improve the childminding practice across all five outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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