Dale Claire

Inspection report for early years provision

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201087 Unique Reference Number 14 December 2006 Inspection date Lynn Morris 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 was registered in 1992. She lives with husband and two adult children and an adult lodger in Whitestone, Warwickshire. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding and 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 caring for four children during the day and five school aged children. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends several carer and toddler groups. The family has one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Whitestone childminding group.

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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 enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy frequent outdoor activities, for example they visit local parks, where they use the climbing and swinging equipment and they have space to run around and play ball games. They attend a variety of local soft play facilities to improve their physical skills and access a good range of physical equipment in the childminder's garden, at toddler groups and during visits to other childminders for social play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about hygiene routines and personal care. They know that they need to keep their hands clean and they use anti-bacterial wipes even after they have washed their hands. The childminder's use of disposable gloves reduces risks to children from cross-infection during nappy changes. Their health is addressed because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and clear recording procedures for accidents and giving medication. However, children do not currently have written consent for emergency treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating. They have snacks and meals at the childminder's home, which are balanced and nutritious. They have fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis and children are developing a good understanding of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Children's dietary needs are known and met through the contract details. Children know when they are hungry and thirsty and they have set routines for snacks and meals. They can choose from sugar-free drinks at any time during the day.

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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 home where their needs are given priority. Risks to children have been identified and minimised and daily checks ensure that children move around the home safely. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, they use familiar routes when walking outside of the home, they know that they need to cross at crossing points and they learn about waiting for the 'green man'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children choose from toys of good quality and the childminder makes daily checks of safety equipment. Children practise emergency evacuations from the premises and they can see effective written procedures and an escape plan displayed on the wall. Their welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has all required documentation and many additional written policies and procedures, which help to keep children safe. For example, the childminder has a written health and safety policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from risk of harm by the childminder's secure knowledge of local procedures to safeguard children. She has a written policy and attends training to keep up to date with any current developments.

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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 settle well in the childminder’s home. They make good relationships with each other, the childminder and her family. They socialise frequently with other children during visits to and from other childminders for social play and activities. They attend regular organised groups outside of the home with the childminder. For example, they engage in a variety of play activities, use large and small toys, join in art and craft activities and have singing sessions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose from a good range of toys, which are changed frequently, and for example, follow a daily theme such as domestic play. They select toys and materials for themselves and enjoy a wide variety of creative activities. They like making pictures and models and they confidently glue, stick and take part in painting, clay modelling and cookery. They are excited when a new activity is given to them and they proudly show off their finished pictures to any adults present. Children's language is developing well. They learn new words during their play and they are asked questions to expand their vocabulary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children choose from a good range of resources, which include toys and books to develop positive understanding of different cultures and people with disabilities. For example, children join in festival celebrations. They make cards and masks and use books about the festival to help them understand the story. They play with dolls, figures and books representative of different cultures and abilities and they have social contact with a family friend who visits with a guide dog. They learn about the dog's abilities to help an adult. As a result they learn to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences. Currently there are no children with learning disabilities or disabilities but the childminder has past experience of working with parents to meet each child's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to play together and how to respect each other's feelings. They learn to share well and are encouraged to be kind to each other and can talk about their feelings. They respond to the childminder's kindness and consistent praise by giving and receiving spontaneous cuddles. They are told when they are being good and unacceptable behaviour is clearly explained to them. They benefit from the childminder's written behaviour management policy, which promotes consistent behaviour management. The childminder is a good role model and takes account of different levels of children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's information is sought and exchanged with parents verbally at the end of each session and children frequently take home the pictures they have made. Children benefit from written information provided for parents, which includes policies and procedure documents. Parents can look through the setting's detailed file about the provision at any time and several parents have left written glowing testimonials about the service they receive.

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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. Children feel at ease in a well organised homely environment. They benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills, which promote a learning environment. They use areas available in the home to enjoy a wide variety of activities indoors and outside in the well organised garden. Children are confident and they choose activities for themselves. Regular visits outside of the home contributes to children's social and physical skills.

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Organisation

A very good range of written policies and procedures are used to keep children safe and healthy and ensure that parents understand the aims and objectives of the setting. Communication with parents is good. They have daily opportunities for discussion and consultation about their child's development and well-being. Regular attendance at a wide variety of training courses to improve skills and knowledge has good impact on the care of the children and overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding in the event of an allegation made against herself or a family member. The childminder has attended training in child protection, she has a written policy which is shared with parents and she displays the procedure for safeguarding children in the lounge.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to ensure parental permission is obtained following administration of medication and to ensure the security of the premises is maintained at all times. Children's medication records are completed appropriately and permission has been sought from parents. The premises are safe and secure in all areas and keys for exit doors are kept next to the doors.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 written consent for emergency treatment is obtained from each parent.

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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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