Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265631 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2006 Inspection date Judith Chinnery 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?

This childminder has been registered with Ofsted since 2003. She has places for five children aged under eight years and is currently caring for five children at different times. Three of them are aged under five years, one aged over five and the other aged over eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and three children, a son aged 11 years and two daughters aged nine and six years, in a detached house close to parks, shops and schools. The whole of the downstairs area is available for children. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family also has two dogs.

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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 well nourished and are offered healthy foods and snacks which they enjoy eating such as strawberries and grapes. They have begun to try different fruits, buying them in the supermarket, talking about them and participating in making pictures of healthy and unhealthy foods. Drinks are freely available particularly during the hot weather to ensure that children remain hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has established good routines for cleaning and hand-washing so that the children readily wash their hands before eating. Each child has their own hand towel and the childminder supports the younger children well in teaching them about good hygiene practices to minimise the spread of infection amongst the children. Accident and medication records are kept accurately and up to date and contribute to ensuring that children are well cared for.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages the children to be physically active each day. They use the large equipment in the garden to run around, crawl through and slide down. At other times they make use of local tumble tots groups so that children can develop confidence in moving their bodies in a variety of ways such as running, jumping and balancing. Children can also rest and sleep, if they wish, comfortably and peacefully where they can be easily observed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and well protected in this setting. The childminder conducts an annual risk assessment around her property and garden and includes checking her toys and resources in this. This has ably assisted her in reducing hazards to children so they can play safely in the garden. Indoor play space is free of hazards such as trailing wires while socket covers and a stair gate help to prevent accidents to the children. Outings are well planned, children understand that they need to wear seat belts in the car and to hold hands near busy roads. Frequent discussions about safety are also helping younger children start to take responsibility for their own safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of well chosen toys and resources. They are suitable for their age and stage and the childminder supervises their play well to ensure children stay safe. Appropriate harnesses and booster seats ensure that young children can sit, eat and play safely at the table.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is knowledgeable about local child protection procedures. She is aware of common signs and causes for concern and has written information available to remind her who to contact should she be concerned ensuring that children are protected and safeguarded.

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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 enjoy warm relationships with the childminder and her family helping them to feel safe and secure so that they can learn and develop to their full potential. The childminder's growing understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework is enabling her to provide worthwhile and stimulating activities for young children to explore and experiment with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are easily engaged in counting the trains as they push them along the track. They become absorbed with the play dough manipulating it into shapes and cutting it to make cakes. They are beginning to speak well using words and short sentences to talk about what they see in books and stories which the childminder reads to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children use their initiative and select what they want to do after school. They enjoy creating their own pictures and playing on the play-station. They enthusiastically recall a trip to search out and find out about bugs and other natural things at a local nature reserve.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that the individual needs of the children she cares for are met so that they can join in and make a positive contribution. Parents receive daily feedback regarding their child's care and are well informed about the childminder's provision. The childminder keeps information about children's needs up to date so that she can provide the right food and care for them. While parents are well aware of how to complain, a record is not yet kept so that all aspects of children's care is not always transparent to all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enthusiastically join in with celebrating festivals, dressing up, dancing and tasting food for Diwali as well as trying to toss pancakes on pancake day. The childminder also uses a range of resources such as books to talk with the children about other cultures and beliefs so that they develop a respect for themselves and others. Children with learning difficulties and disabilities are supported appropriately because the childminder is committed to working closely with parents, adapting activities and including all children in the life of the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave really well. They listen to instructions and accept the childminder interventions in any squabbles over toys. The childminder ably distracts and re-directs young children on to alternative activities and offers clear explanations to older children to help them take responsibility for their own behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder keeps her knowledge of child care up to date by participating in training courses as well as achieving the quality assurance award through belonging to the local childminding network. She organises her day well around the needs of the children ensuring they are able to rest and sleep as well as play.

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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 Children's care, learning and play is actively supported because the childminder keeps the number of children minded to a minimum so being able to provide individual attention. Overall the provider meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Good records are kept regarding children's needs and written policies and procedures support the childminder well in promoting children's ability to be healthy, safe, enjoy and achieve and make a positive contribution, although her certificate of registration, while available to parents, is not currently displayed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in February 2004 the childminder was asked to improve her provision of resources which reflect positive images and diversity. Since then the childminder has collected a variety of resources such as books and dressing up clothes and celebrates a variety of festivals with the children. She makes good use of them to effectively introduce children to differences and diversity so that they develop a respect for themselves and others.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004.

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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): • ensure that the certification of registration is displayed during the hours of childminding • maintain a record of any complaints made by parents.

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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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