Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY100202 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2006 Inspection date Susan Tuffnell 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 2001. She lives with her husband and three children age two, five and nine years in Hardingstone near Northampton. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a dog and two hamsters.

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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 warm, clean and well-maintained home. There are established daily hygiene routines that encourage children's independence in personal care, such as washing hands to help maintain good health. Children are protected effectively as the childminder has regular procedures in place to maintain a high standard of health and hygiene in the home. For example, the use of disposable gloves and anti-bacterial cleaning materials. The childminder has clear procedures for administration of medication which are shared with parents. She takes positive action to ensure that children's health and welfare is safeguarded. For example, accident reports are well recorded and there is good information to parents regarding the sick child policy and infectious diseases. The childminder is trained in first aid to ensure that children receive prompt and appropriate treatment for any accidents. The family dog has a full health

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular drinks and food. Parents provide a packed lunch; however, the childminder is flexible regarding the provision of food and happy to provide a full nutritious menu if required. Children benefit from a variety of healthy snacks that include fruit and they learn good eating skills and table manners as they sit with the childminder. Fresh water is freely accessed by the children and available at all times. Children's dietary information is collected from parents and includes any special dietary needs such as allergies and religious requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to take part in regular physical play. Daily walks to school and play in the park ensure that children have plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children also visit all weather outdoor play centres to practise skills such as balancing and climbing as they use the large equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a safe, secure and stimulating environment. Indoor and outdoor space is organised very well and the play room is bright and attractive with colourful posters and displays of children's art and craft work. Children can move freely in a risk free environment where there are comprehensive polices and procedures in place to ensure their safety. For example, smoke alarms are checked frequently, there are regular fire drills and a fire blanket is situated in the kitchen. Appropriate safety equipment is used such as stair gates, socket covers and child locks. Effective security at all entrances to the premises ensures that children are protected. Children learn about safety as they help tidy up toys and practise road safety when out walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use an extensive range of toys and equipment that are of good quality and safe. These support enjoyable activities that stimulate and challenge the children. Most play materials are stored on shelves and in cupboards at a level where children can access them freely. Older children's toys are stored higher to ensure the environment is safe for babies and toddlers and still allow children to choose. However, books and mark making implements are not readily

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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 available to children and art and craft materials are kept up high in a cupboard. This restricts children's spontaneous creativity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound awareness of her responsibility to protect children in her care and has taken training to ensure that her practice is underpinned by a good and up-to-date knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She understands the need to make notes on existing injuries and to discuss these with parents to make sure that the safety of children in her care is always a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are secure, confident and happy. They are given lots of good-quality care and attention from the childminder. Children enjoy stimulating activities. They learn new skills, make connections with other experiences, and talk and listen while involved in an activity. For example, children help tidy up toys when they have finished, they know in which box, cupboard, or on which shelf the toys belong. Children are beginning to recognise their names on the 'who's here today' board and learn about the weather as they help with the daily activity calendar. Children also benefit from a range of activities outside the childminder's home. They attend a toddler group regularly, visit the garden centre to look at the fish and the library to choose books. Children are relaxed and settled. This enables them to make good progress in their personal, social and emotional development. They are learning to share and play cooperatively

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with others. For example, the children show a lot of imagination as they play with a pirate ship and treasure island model. They use different voices for the small figures and the older children lead the younger ones in the game. Children receive positive support, praise and encouragement from the childminder, who is a good role model and provides a homely environment that helps children relax and feel safe as they investigate and explore activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Planning for the 'Birth to three matters' framework has been started in preparation for a new childminding arrangement. The children's achievements will be recorded and evaluated in their own personal journal which will contain all the elements of the framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn consideration and thoughtfulness for others as they share activities. They are well-mannered and respond to appropriate behaviour management strategies that include lots of praise for kind and helpful behaviour. For example, the childminder constantly praises the children as they tidy away toys, join in activities and share equipment. The childminder ensures that children have positive experiences of different cultures and customs. For example, children wear ethnic costumes from the dressing-up clothes, play with multicultural dolls and small world people and access an excellent range of books that depict a wide variety of people and places. Children are beginning to understand their feelings as they listen to a range of stories about different emotions.

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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 The childminder works in close partnership with parents and provides them with an abundance of information about the setting and their children's progress. For example, the parents' activity book contains extensive evidence of the wide variety of activities the children are involved in. The book shows activities through photographs, examples of children's art and craft work and ideas for parents where to take their children on outings. Many examples of work show evidence of festivals and celebration such as Saint George's Day shields and Indian decorated hand prints to extend children's experience of the wider world. Children also learn about special needs as they colour printed pictures of people with disabilities. Parents receive a daily information sheet which show the highlights of the day so children can share their achievements with their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents. Policies and procedures including the complaints procedure ensure that parents receive clear information about the childminder and the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care and learning is greatly enhanced by the quality of the organisation and the skill, knowledge and understanding of the childminder who shows commitment towards her own personal development. For example, she has attended relevant courses and workshops including 'Birth to three matters' framework, Child Protection Awareness and Managing Children's Behaviour. The childminder continues to look at areas to develop in her practise and is being assessed for the National Childminding Association Quality Standards Award.

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Organisation

The children are relaxed and comfortable in a well-organised environment. They are confident to initiate their own play, are fully engaged in activities and receive good care and support from the childminder. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the care and welfare of the children. The childminder has a comprehensive range of documents that are shared with parents to keep them fully informed about the provision. These are implemented successfully in the daily routine, updated regularly and impact directly on the continuity of children's care.

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Organisation

Overall the childminder meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that she is aware of local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and that she knows who to contact if concerned about a child or if allegations of abuse are made concerning a child whilst in her care. The childminder has a sound awareness of her responsibility to protect children in her care and has taken training to ensure that her practice is underpinned by a good and up-to-date knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She understands the need to make notes on existing injuries and to discuss these with parents to make sure that the safety of children in her care is always a priority.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. The provider is

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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 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): • improve opportunities for children to make spontaneous independent choices by freely accessing a range of books, art and craft materials and mark making equipment.

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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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