Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY226043 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2006 Inspection date Gill Thornton 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and three in Ipswich. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding one child after school on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The family has two rabbits.

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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. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home where they gain some understanding of personal hygiene through reminders by the childminder to wash their hands after using the toilet. However, children do not always wash their hands before meals, so compromising children's health. The childminder provides snacks of fruit and nutritious freshly cooked meals that take account of children's individual preferences and dietary needs. Children sit down together to enjoy favourites such as tuna pasta bake or salmon, new potatoes and green beans. Children have free access to drinks to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows satisfactory procedures for obtaining parents consent to administer medication and maintains an accurate written record of medication administered. However, she does not request prior written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, consequently children may not receive prompt attention in an emergency. The childminder has an appropriately stocked first aid kit and keeps written records of any accidents which are countersigned by parents. However, the childminder has not attended first aid training so children's health may be at risk as she has no up to date knowledge of first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity in the garden where they choose from a suitable range of equipment contained in a large storage unit. For example, balls, bikes, trucks, large plastic building bricks, a pushchair and scooters. Children enjoy practising and demonstrating their physical skills, for example, on the swing set.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally safe and secure environment where the childminder has taken some steps to minimise risks. For example, using safety gates to exclude children from the stairs and fitting cupboard locks as necessary in the kitchen. However, children are exposed to potential risk from cleaning chemicals stored in an unlocked cupboard in the bathroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to suitable range of good quality toys and equipment which meet safety standards. These are well organised in a good range of accessible storage boxes in the well laid out playroom to encourage children's independence. The childminder monitors and supervises children's play to ensure they are safe and that toys are used appropriately. Children are learning to keep themselves safe when walking home from school as they know to walk on the inside and hold onto the buggy. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has attended child protection training and knows the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled and have good relationships with the childminder and her family. They enjoy spending time together, such as when negotiating and sharing ideas while

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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 acting out imaginary games in the child-friendly garden. Children develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder is interested in what they say and do, for example, asking questions about their imaginary play and offering suggestions and ideas. They develop pride in their own achievements, such as when demonstrating their skill on the swing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated and interested in the broad range of toys and play opportunities provided by the childminder. They freely select from the toys and resources inside and out which are accessibly stored so they can initiate their own play and follow their own interests and ideas. Children have good opportunities to explore their creativity using the interesting range of craft activities in the playroom. They enjoy sitting at the spacious work surface while selecting their favourite activities, such as making pictures using dinosaur templates or playing games on the computer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a sense of belonging because they are included and valued and enjoy activities suitable to their stage of development. They are able to make choices about how to spend their time, for example, choosing to play in the garden when they get in from school. Children have some access to resources promoting a positive view of diversity although the childminder is not proactive in promoting children's understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses consistent and appropriate strategies to help the children learn responsible behaviour. They play together happily and the childminder helps them develop an understanding of the needs of others through encouragement to share popular resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares information verbally with parents on collection to keep them informed about their children's day and to ensure their changing needs are met. The childminder obtains most of the written information required to ensure children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. Parents are happy with the care provided and trust the childminder's judgement and enjoy peace of mind knowing their child is well cared for.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Most of the required documentation is in place to ensure children's needs are met. However, the attendance register does not reflect children's actual hours of attendance. The childminder ensures she meets the required adult to child ratios at all times, however, she has failed to meet the requirement to attend a first aid course, this potentially compromises children's well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her home to provide a welcoming and child friendly environment where children enjoy a range of activities to support their care, learning and play. They benefit from regular routines which help them feel confident and secure. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the since registration. 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 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): • improve hygiene procedures with regard to children's hand washing practices and request prior written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • make cleaning chemicals in bathroom cupboard safe or inaccessible to children • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure attendance register accurately reflects children's actual times of attendance.

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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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