Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY330776 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2006 Inspection date Jan Burnet 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 2006. She lives with her husband and three-year-old daughter in a residential area of Rugby, close to the town centre. She uses the whole of the house for childminding and an enclosed rear garden is suitable for outdoor play. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for two children under five years. The childminder is able to walk to a local school to take and collect children and she attends local parent and toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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's good health is well protected because they are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing and because the childminder provides anti-bacterial liquid soap. The childminder's cleaning routines are thorough and preventative measures are in place to ensure minimal risk to children, for example, good food hygiene practices. Children’s risk of infection passed on by other children is minimised because they benefit from a sickness policy, implemented by the childminder, that ensures parents are aware of illnesses that will mean their child should not attend and that they will be contacted if he or she becomes ill. Children's best interests are served in case of accident because the childminder holds an in-date first aid certificate having attended training in June 2006.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are known by the childminder even though parents provide meals. They are unlikely to suffer stomach upset because food is stored in the fridge and the childminder's food hygiene routines are good. She promotes children's health well by providing healthy snacks, for example, fresh and dried fruit. Children's emotional well-being is given a high priority and the childminder arranges a gradual settling in period, enabling them to feel secure and settled. They receive lots of individual attention. Children are developing physical skills and confidence with play equipment in the childminder's garden and during trips to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play, eat and sleep in safe and healthy premises. The main playroom is the family living room and children have easy access to a ground floor toilet off the hallway. Resources are mainly stored in the garage, which is also accessed off the hallway, and the childminder brings in a range of toy boxes each day for children to choose from. To keep young children safe, the stairway off the sitting room is fitted with a safety gate. Three bedrooms are also safe and suitable for children although the childminder currently chooses not to use them. There is direct access to the back garden from the playroom. Children are safe because their toys, equipment and furniture are safe, clean and in a good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimised because they play in a satisfactorily safe environment and learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, children know that they must hold hands out walking and look both ways and listen before and whilst crossing, and they know that they must not touch dogs unless the childminder asks the owner if it is safe to do so. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision at all times and children’s risk of injury in the home is minimised because she has identified and properly addressed potential hazards. For example, the fire is not used and could not be switched on by a child, sockets are in use or covered, there are no loose wires, in the kitchen hazardous substances and knives are inaccessible, the cooker is switched off at the wall and the garden is safe. Potentially children's safety is compromised because although the childminder has drawn up a fire drill, it has not

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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 yet been practised. Children are safe from unwanted visitors and could not leave unsupervised because the house and garden are secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded because the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is aware of local referral procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children are settled and secure. They are cared for as individuals with different developmental needs and the childminder ensures that she provides a good variety of activities and experiences so that children learn and progress. Routines are consistent and include activities inside and outside the home. Independence is encouraged and children develop manipulative skills with a good variety of resources, they develop their imagination with small world and domestic play materials, explore messy and creative play and enjoy books, puzzles and stories. Children learn to recognise shapes and colours, they count, develop skills with scissors and develop pencil control. When children are ready, the childminder encourages letter and number recognition. They enjoy local walks, trips to the library and shops and they use swings, slides and climbing equipment at the park. Children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

conversation with the childminder during play and they develop social skills when interacting with other children at parent and toddler groups

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's different developmental needs are met by the childminder. They are well cared for and the childminder ensures that resources and activities are good. She continually offers support and encouragement and children are happy and keen to play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are known and appropriately met by the childminder. Admission forms are thorough and consistency of care between home and childminder is assured with a daily share of information. Parents always visit before care of their child begins and the childminder learns as much as possible about the child. Parents are expected to gradually settle their child in. A letter is given to all parents when they first visit and it contains personal information on the childminder and examples of what children will be doing whilst in her care. A written daily report form is provided for parents and includes what their child has played with, meals, sleep and toileting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has not yet cared for a child with a special need but would find out as much as possible from the parent so that she was able to satisfactorily meet the child's needs. Children are learning to appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences, for example, looking at books containing print in different languages. They are able to choose some books and toys that reflect a positive image of culture, but are limited in opportunities to gain an understanding of diversity with regard to disability and gender because resources are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's consistent methods of behaviour management which include always recognising good behaviour, distraction, explanation and if really necessary,

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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 move the child away from others for a short time. Children learn to consider others, share and take turns.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder’s home. Thorough admission information and good communication with parents ensures that children's individual needs are known and appropriately met. Routines are consistent and well balanced and children are challenged effectively with the range of toys and play activities.

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Organisation

All required documentation and records are kept up-to-date and confidentiality is addressed. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving her knowledge and skills. She has attended Introduction to Childminding Practice, 'Birth to three matters' and first aid training and has requested further child protection training. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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.

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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 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): • ensure that the emergency escape plan is practised • develop resources that reflect positive images of disability and gender.

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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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