Kerr Emma

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY296477 Inspection date 24 May 2005 Inspector Valerie Jean Edward

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2004 and lives with her partner and three children aged eight years, seven years and fifteen months. They live in a detached house in the village of Water Orton, close to school and shops. The local park is within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, the first floor is used for older children only. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are no pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for one child aged two years. She is a member of the National

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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 Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning the importance of good hygiene through positive reinforcement and good examples. They are beginning to understand the need for regular hand washing through good daily practice and routine. To limit the spread of infection they are provided with their own towel and liquid soap. The home is very clean and children's equipment is cleaned regularly. Children enjoy a nutritious and healthy diet with fruit and vegetables provided on a daily basis. Menus are planned in advance and shared with parents. Drinks are always available and children's independence is encouraged as they freely access drinks. Children's physical development is supported well as they take part in a wide range of activities including the use of physical play apparatus and exercising to music. They are taken on visits to the local park where they can run around and to toddler group where they can access a good range of large physical play equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's welfare is protected as there are good procedures in place for accidents and to administer medication. To ensure children's best interests are met if a child is ill, the childminder has a written illness policy, which is shared with parents. The childminder obtains parents' written consent to seek emergency medical assistance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and safe environment where they can easily move around and freely access a wide range of activities. The childminder is presently not using the first floor, which she plans to use for older children only. The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues and children benefit from being in an environment where hazards have been reduced, for example safety gates have been fitted appropriately, dangerous substances have been made inaccessible and covers have been fitted on all accessible electric sockets. There is a bolt fitted on the door of the bathroom on the first floor that is accessible and which puts older children at risk of locking themselves in the bathroom, however, it is planned that this area is for older children only and is not presently being used. To further protect children's safety, the childminder has given thought to emergencies

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and a written evacuation procedure is displayed on the wall. Children use a wide range of safe, good quality, developmentally appropriate resources. These are well organised in child height units to encourage independent access and are checked regularly for safety.

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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 Children's protection from abuse and neglect is promoted well through the childminder's good knowledge of child protection issues. She has a good understanding of her role and responsibility and knows what action to take if there were concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a wide range of challenging activities and experiences, which helps them to make progress in all areas of their development. They have opportunities to explore and investigate and are given plenty of opportunity to make choices as they access toys and equipment freely and independently and choose items when they visit the shops. To further support their development children are regularly taken outside the home where they take part in a range of experiences such as visiting the library to select books and to the local park. Children's language is skilfully developed through the childminder maintaining a dialogue with them and asking questions. Through excellent interaction and praise, children are encouraged to be confident and to develop self esteem. They respond positively to the childminder and enjoy their play. Children benefit from the childminder's good practice, which includes the use of the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Birth to 3 Matters framework and well planned activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for as individuals, they are valued and respected and any specific needs are taken into account. Children are beginning to develop a positive view of the wider world through the childminder's good understanding of this issue. However, children's opportunity to increase their awareness of culture and disability is restricted as resources that promote positive images is limited. Children are well behaved and they are beginning to understand right and wrong. The childminder believes in being a good role model and children are frequently praised for their good behaviour and achievements. Children's welfare and security is fostered well through a strong partnership with parents who are kept well informed about the provision and the progress of their children. Children and their parents are made to feel welcome in the childminder's home. Confidentiality is respected

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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 benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills and good use of space and resources. The childminder is keen to attend training, which will benefit the children she cares for. Children receive good adult support and take part in a daily routine that includes activities that are interesting and stimulating. The environment is warm and welcoming and child orientated with resources and play materials easily accessible to the children. Children have room to play and move around freely and there are facilities for them to rest and sleep. Children have easy access to a secured outdoor play area, which enhances their physical development. All the necessary documentation is in place for the safe and efficient management of the provision. Children's welfare is further promoted through well organised written

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Organisation

policies and procedures, which are shared with parents. The provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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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 bolt fitted on bathroom door on first floor is inaccessible to children • further develop range of resources that promote equality of opportunity with regard to culture and disability.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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