Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY222027 Unique Reference Number 24 August 2006 Inspection date Anne Archer 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 1994. She lives with her adult son in the Leicestershire village of Somerby. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five during the day and six children over five before and/or after school and school holidays. She also cares for five children aged over eight before and/or after school and school holidays. All are part time arrangements. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for up to two children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends two local carer and toddler groups and a childminder support group. She has four dogs, one cat, nine rabbits, a hamster, a guinea pig and several other small animals.

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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 are cared for in a clean, warm home where they learn about personal hygiene routines. They know they must wash their hands after going to the toilet and after handling animals. Children enjoy visits to the park and accompanying the childminder when she walks her dogs. Children's health is maintained because the childminder discusses this with parents and makes them aware of the procedure she will follow if their child becomes unwell and she has written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are acknowledged and met because the childminder takes account of the wishes of parents as she discusses dietary requirements with them. When planning lunchtime and teatime menus the childminder also takes account of children's likes and dislikes. For instance, the lunchtime meal on the day of inspection was spaghetti bolognaise because it is the favourite of a child who does not attend very often. The childminder ensures that children have regular drinks, particularly during warm weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around the childminder's house and garden in comparative safety because the childminder is aware of how to keep children safe from potential hazards and she has precautions in place to prevent accidents. However, the emergency evacuation plan has not been practised this year so in the event of an emergency some children may not know what to do and the childminder may be unaware of any difficulties that might arise. Children's welfare is supported because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and has a good understanding of how to identify and deal with child protection issues. However, she does not have local contact details. Children are able to independently select toys and resources from a wide range which are safely stored and regularly checked to ensure they are clean and safe to use.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children follow a familiar routine during school term times which helps them to feel secure. They have opportunities for free play with a range of appropriate toys and resources which they can easily access for themselves. Children also do more structured activities which the children plan with the childminder. Children enjoy relaxing after school by playing in the garden, making models with construction kits and playing with small world toys. During school holidays they occasionally watch a DVD after lunch to ensure a quiet time to recharge their batteries. Children also enjoy accompanying the childminder when she walks her dogs and going to the local park to play. The childminder has a range of toys and resources for all ages which can be used to support children's learning while ensuring that they are participating in activities that they enjoy.

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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 good. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder ensures, through discussion with parents, that she is aware of the level of care each child requires. The childminder asks for advice or attends training to enable her to support children with learning difficulties. Also through daily discussion the childminder keeps parents informed about what their children have been doing and how they have been during the day or when they came out of school. By playing with appropriate toys and through discussions when driving to and from nursery or walking back from school, children develop an awareness of the wider world and the diversity of adults and children. Children are very well behaved and polite because the childminder sets ground rules, encourages and praises positive behaviour and uses appropriate methods to manage any unacceptable behaviour, taking account of children's age and level of maturity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are kind to each other and the older children enjoy helping the younger ones such as when trying to build jet planes with stickle bricks.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children settle easily in the well laid out and organised environment. They have opportunities for free choice play as well as activities that the childminder plans having discussed beforehand with the children what they would like to do. Parents and children are invited to visit the childminder to discuss the service they require and familiarise themselves with her home. The childminder is very aware of her responsibilities when caring for children, she regularly attends training to update her knowledge and skills and all the required records are in place to support her childminding practice. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make sure that all records relating to the administration of medication are signed by parents. The childminder has since ensured that this happens which enhances the level of care provided to 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): • devise and practise an emergency escape plan • ensure that child protection procedures comply with local guidelines

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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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