Cooper, Nicola Michelle

Inspection report for early years provision

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260801 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Culley 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and seven years in the Standens Barns area of Northampton. Children are cared for on the ground floor, however the front bedroom on the first floor may be used for daytime rests. Children have access to a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor activity.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to the local school to collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder receives support from the Northamptonshire branch 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's health and well-being is promoted well. They are cared for in clean and healthy premises which are maintained to good standards throughout. Children are learning about personal hygiene in their daily routines, for example, they wash their hands after using the toilet and before handling food to prevent the spread of infection. Effective nappy changing routines for younger children and babies minimises the risk of cross-infection. Children are protected from the harmful effects of the sun because they wear hats, use barrier creams and drink plenty of fluids. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, therefore, if children are unwell they are comforted and receive emergency treatment until parents arrive to collect them. Children's growth and development is nurtured well. They spend time outdoors in the park where they exercise their large body muscles as they play games and enjoy the benefits

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Helping children to be healthy

of fresh air. Children develop fine muscle control and co-ordination as they play with malleable materials and use small tools such as rolling pins and scissors.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating. They talk about the effects of sugar on their teeth and how fruit provides vitamins to keep them healthy. Children's specific dietary needs are discussed with parents at the initial visit. They are individually invited to the kitchen to choose their own snacks and drinks and their individual choices are met. Fresh fruit is provided daily to promote healthy eating. Children requiring hot meals have a varied selection of freshly prepared meals and their specific dietary requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety and security is promoted well because all entrances to the premises are kept locked. They enjoy playing outdoors in the fully enclosed rear garden where they are protected from unwelcome visitors. Children are able to relax, play and learn in the home because resources and equipment are organised to create a child friendly environment. They choose activities from the interesting variety of well-maintained resources and equipment and their developmental needs are met. The childminder carries out a daily risk assessment to promote children's safety, therefore, they are protected from potential hazards. Children's welfare is promoted through the effective use of safety equipment, for example, safety barriers are used to remind children of their boundaries for safe play. They are learning to manage their own safety as they practise road safety and emergency evacuation procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is promoted because the childminder is qualified and experienced in childcare. She knows the local authority procedures for safeguarding children and is able to put them into practice when necessary. Children, therefore, are protected from potential abuse.

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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's development is promoted well. They are enjoying a happy experience with the childminder and her family. Children are developing self-confidence. They are establishing good relationships with the childminder who talks to them, listens to them and values what they say, for example, they talk about their activity and relate it to their favourite toys at home. Children are developing independence. They confidently ask for resources to develop their own interests. Children are learning to respect each other. They are learning to negotiate as they construct models and share the different pieces to finish their work. Children enjoy outdoor activity. They learn about their local community as they walk to the park. The children learn about balance and control as they play ball games and use the playground equipment. Children have good opportunities to read books for pleasure and to develop their personal interests, for example,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they have access to story books and reference books, such as children just like me.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children learn about their personal identity as the childminder plays games with them, for example, they see themselves in mirrors and use rhymes to identify parts of their body. They have opportunities to develop their language as they look at books, listen to stories and talk about the pictures. Children develop their imagination through small world activity such as playing with the dolls house. They have opportunities to be creative by painting and playing with dough. Children learn to count, match shapes and identify colour in their daily routines, for example, they count the stairs, match socks and play with brightly coloured toys and they make developmental progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed to the childminder's home. They are fully included in this setting and the childminder works hard to ensure their individual needs are well met. Children's self-esteem is promoted well. They demonstrate how much they enjoy being with the childminder by involving her in their activities, laughing and having fun. Children are developing a respect for others as they share and play together. They have good opportunities to learn about the diverse society in which they live through discussion and the use of resources which promote anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder encourages good behaviour by acting as a good role model for children. They receive praise for being helpful to others, for example, they are thanked for taking their cups into the kitchen after snack. Children are developing good social skills by saying please and thank you and they behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is effectively promoted because the childminder and parents form good working relationships. The childminder shares her well written portfolio and each family receives an induction pack which includes copies of the polices, procedures and documentation to be completed. Planned introductions for children familiarises them with the daily childminding routines and they settle quickly. Parents are well informed about their children's progress as they receive daily verbal feedback.

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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. Overall children's needs are met. Children's welfare is promoted to good standards by the childminder. She shows her commitment to improving standards for children by updating her knowledge through training, for example, she has recently completed a National Vocational Qualification to level 3 in childcare. Good support procedures, documentation and recording of information support the welfare of children, however, not all policies contain the correct address of the regulatory body. Children are well supervised and supported by good adult to child ratios. They freely move around the ground floor independently selecting activities from the interesting resources provided, therefore, they make good progress in their overall development. Individual children's records are shared with the child's parents and stored securely by the childminder.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her record keeping by ensuring all relevant documents are signed by parents, therefore, children's welfare has been further promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • update policies to show the correct address of the regulatory body.

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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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