Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY216760 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2007 Inspection date Rosemary Moore 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 has been a registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten years and seven years old in a village within Northamptonshire. The local school, shops and playgroup are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and the small bedroom at the back of the property are areas used for childminding. Children have access to outside play in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children part-time. The childminder is supported by the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where their health is promoted through the childminder’s satisfactory standards of hygiene. For example, appropriate systems are in place for the safe preparation of food. Children are learning about hygiene with regard to the handling of pets and after using the toilet. However, they were not reminded to wash their hands before

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 their snack. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has recently attended first aid training, although parental consent for medical treatment or advice is not kept in the event of an emergency. Children do not attend if they are unwell and most procedures are in place with regard to the administration of medication. However, records are not fully detailed to support good practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand fresh fruit and vegetables contribute to their good health through discussions with the childminder. Snacks are available to meet the children's individual dietary requirements and they also enjoy the independence of choosing items from their own lunch box.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical skills are developed through regular exercise as they enjoy walking to and from their local school and pre-school. They play in the local park, where they are able to run, climb and bounce on springy toys and equipment, which contributes to their good health. Children are able to rest and play according to their needs. For example, if they are tired following pre-school they can relax and watch the television.

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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 risks are identified and minimised. They are safe because the glass doors and cabinets have now been checked. The childminder has put fire safety precautions in place, she has a fire blanket in the kitchen, and there are smoke detectors in the hallway and on the first floor of the premises. Therefore, the safety of children is maintained, in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children play in a secure environment both indoors and in the garden. They can access toys and resources set out safely and request or select others that are kept suitably stored. Equipment is clean and well-maintained and age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities for the welfare of the children in her care. She has recently attended training in safeguarding children and has a clear understanding of the referral procedures for child protection. Therefore, children's well-being is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. This is because she knows the children well and provides a good range of activities. They are able to select interesting toys and activities to play with, which also promote their learning. For example, the children use the railway track, trains and fire engines together very imaginatively developing their ideas as they play. Children are very confident and involve the childminder in their play, they also benefit because the childminder offers further support to help them develop their knowledge and understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy observing the two young kittens playing and hiding in the room. When the kittens settle and are quiet, the children climb onto the sofa to take a look. The childminder encourages them to look quietly so they do not wake the kittens up. The children also take notice of their environment and people around them. For example, from the lounge they hear an aircraft overhead which leads into a detailed discussion about helicopters, how they work and people's job roles. The childminder listens very well to children and what they say, encouraging their vocabulary and she asks them questions to develop their thoughts and ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about the wider world as the childminder provides them with interesting activities to help develop an awareness of diversity. Children behave well in the home. For example, they share the trains, taking turns to push these around the railway track. They are developing an understanding of what is right and wrong because the childminder provides clear boundaries. For example, children learn to respect the needs of the kittens, allowing them to rest quietly, which encourages children to think of the needs of others. The children are given a satisfactory level of continuity of care because the childminder obtains information about their preferences and routines to provide for their individual needs. However, parents are not made fully aware of how to make a complaint. Children benefit from the regular discussions which take place between the childminder and parent to discuss their daily care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The organisation of the daily routine is appropriately managed for children within the home. This allows them to rest or play actively according to their individual needs. Children benefit from the available space, which enables them to develop their play ideas imaginatively.

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Organisation

The childminder has updated her first aid training and holds a suitable child care qualification. Most records are in place for the suitable care of the children, this includes the register, individual folders for each child and accident records. However, records for the administration of medication are not fully detailed to support the care of the children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given actions to improve her practice. These were to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily available for inspection at all times. Also to assess the risks to children in relation to fire safety and glass panels and take action to minimise these. These actions have now been met and support the care of the children within the setting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see upon 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 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): • improve children's health by the use of hand washing routines before snacks and by having written consent for emergency medical treatment and advice • prepare a written complaints procedure • improve and further develop records, including a system to store these confidentially

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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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