Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY312102 Unique Reference Number 04 September 2006 Inspection date Yvonne Layton 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 children aged 10, 15 and 20. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. Toilet facilities are on the first floor and children have access to one of the bedrooms on this floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five and one child over five before and after school. The childminder also cares for children aged over eight years. She walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about consistent hygiene and personal care through appropriate daily routines. They understand why they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet by responding to the childminder's established practices. Children's health is further protected by her established routines for the preparation of food, supported by her training in food hygiene and a written food preparation policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s welfare is protected as there is medication and accident documentation in place. However, their well-being is potentially compromised as the emergency treatment consent has not been completed for all children attending the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children with regards to providing meals. Children are encouraged to help themselves to fresh fruit and are given choices for meals. They learn about food and healthy eating by assisting the childminder with food preparation and undertaking cooking activities such as baking bread and making cakes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have suitable opportunities to participate in outdoor activities and active play, which encourages physical development. The childminder and children walk to the local school and amenities. A range of outings to parks and local walks ensure children have freedom to run and climb. They have access to outdoor activities that provides suitable challenge to enable them to develop their physical skills, including playing football and 'catch' games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The suitable range of toys and equipment for children presently cared for are clean and safe. Toys and play resources are made accessible to children and they enjoy being able to self-select and make choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to move around freely and independently in a home where risks are appropriately identified. To protect children fire safety equipment is widely evident and some safety equipment is in place, however, there is a risk to children's safety as electric sockets are accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children follow safety rules on outings and when walking as a consequence they are beginning to develop an awareness of personal safety. However, children are not fully protected as written consent for transport in a vehicle is not in place. To further reassure parents the completion of written consent for outings is to be considered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is not secure about her role and responsibility for child protection and has a limited understanding of procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child. As a consequence, children’s welfare is not fully 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 satisfactory. Toys and resources are appropriate for the children who attend the provision, however, children's learning and development would be enhanced by the continued development of toys and equipment, including resources for imaginative play and which reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunity to experiment and develop their own play as the focus of the provision is children's choice. They are well supported by the childminder who offers suggestions and assistance to enable them to achieve in their chosen activity. The childminder ensured a child who enjoyed drawing and colouring had a range of media and was able to select preferred templates from the computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Daily routine includes outings and creativity sessions, for example, an outing to pick blackberries resulted in the completion of fruit crumble dessert. Children also have had the opportunity to bake bread and make buns. Outings encourage children to develop social skills and to understand about the world around them, such as visits to local parks and library. Children's development is promoted during routine activities, for example during a dough activity, children were encouraged to explore numbers, colours and use their imaginations as the childminder asked open ended questions enabling the children to expand their thinking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Close and caring relationships with the childminder increases children's sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self. They develop good social and communication skills as she takes time to talk and listen to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has awareness of children's individual needs through suitable systems to share information with parents regarding preferred care routines. She is aware of her role in promoting equality of opportunity. The children access sufficient resources which enable them to learn about the wider community. All children are included in activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is not presently caring for any children with learning disabilities. However, she is confident to judge how well individual children's needs can be met within existing routines and recognises the importance of communication with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel a strong sense of belonging and are learning social awareness as they are respected as individuals, their ideas and choices valued. Consistent behaviour management is well supported as the childminder works together with the parents and children to agree on preferred strategies. They are beginning to learn about what is acceptable behaviour and respecting each other; the methods for dealing with behaviour are sensitive, appropriate and take into account children’s age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is contributed to by the childminder and parents working appropriately together, daily discussions are held and parents have access to an information file. However,

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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 working in partnership with parents to ensure children's needs are met is not fully supported as the written agreements with parents have not been fully completed and there are some omissions in other documentation.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. Children are cared for in a well maintained environment that enables them to relax and enjoy themselves. Their needs and routines are discussed on a daily basis with parents, which contribute to continuity in the children’s care. The childminder has clear ideas regarding the ongoing development of the provision and the capacity to improve is sound.

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Organisation

Children's well-being and security is supported by the childminder's documentation meeting regulatory requirements, however, some are not fully completed. Documents are stored securely and safely in order to ensure children’s privacy and they are protected by the childminder's appropriate awareness of confidentiality.

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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 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): • develop knowledge of role and responsibilities with regard to child protection procedures • ensure electric sockets in areas accessible to children are fitted with socket covers

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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 • ensure written parental permission for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment is completed for all children cared for • ensure parents give written permission for their child to be transported in a vehicle • continue to develop play resources to enable children to develop their emotional, intellectual, social, creative and physical skills • ensure a written agreement with parents which sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements is in place for all of the children cared for and fully completed.

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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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