Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY248200 Unique Reference Number 29 November 2006 Inspection date Suman Willis 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 2002. She lives with her mother, father and one adult sister in a cul-de-sac close to local schools, shops and park. The whole of the ground floor of the house is 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part and full-time basis. The childminder works as an assistant at a local Pre -School and takes the children to a local toddler 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 satisfactory. Children are taken out daily for walks within the community. They have easy access to a well resourced garden. When indoors they move around furniture with control. They are also offered indoor activities which promote physical development. For example, children enjoy playing with a soft ball practising their rolling skills, and are delighted as they successfully learn to catch. Therefore children have regular fresh air and exercise to stay healthy. Children develop their fine motor skills as they use glue sticks, construct train tracks, paint and draw. Children sleep and rest according to their own individual needs, which enable them to make a positive contribution as they are fully rested.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most documents are in place to promote children's well-being, however, permission to administer emergency aid and medication is not in place, which compromises the monitoring of children's health. The childminder is able to maintain children's health because she has up to date knowledge of first aid. Children develop their knowledge of staying healthy as they wash their hands before and after meals and younger children have their hands wiped for them. Older children manage their own personal hygiene as they independently access the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished, and information about their food intake is shared with parents through menus which are displayed on the wall. Children enjoy tucking into healthy lunches such as pasta with tuna and sweetcorn, and they independently access regular drinks. Consequently, children stay healthy, and individual dietary needs are effectively managed and shared with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. They feel valued because their art work is displayed alongside appropriate children's posters. All areas are well organised to enable children to move around freely and safely. Children have access to a broad range of safe and age appropriate resources which are stored effectively to enable children to make independent choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are carried out and most resources to ensure children's safety are in place, such as a stairgate and smoke detectors on each floor. However, children's safety is compromised because cupboards housing dangerous substances are not secure, and the fire blanket is out of date. Children learn about safety within the home because the childminder gives clear explanations; for example, they are reminded of how to correctly hold scissors. Children develop their knowledge of road safety when they go out for walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of childminder protection procedures.

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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 are very settled and happy in their play. They are fully engaged in their chosen activity and proudly share their work of art with adults. Children are excited to extend their knowledge as they use their imagination to draw maps leading to treasures they have hidden. They have access to a broad range of age appropriate and interesting activities. Children are engrossed as they use an excellent range of art and craft materials to create their number pictures. They develop good hand and eye co-ordination as they use scissors carefully to cut out different shapes and numbers. Children competently relate numbers to items and are constantly challenged by a childminder who asks lots of extending question such 'what do you think?'. Younger children enjoy practising their communication skills as they make animal noises, and the childminder responds by repeating the appropriate words to the sounds while making good

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

eye contact as she sits with them looking at pictures of ducks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children and adults have developed a good relationship and work well together. Children are delighted as they are offered lots of praise for their achievements which makes them feel valued. They learn right from wrong as they are encouraged to tidy up toys before bringing out new ones, and older children are reminded to help to care for younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a strong sense of belonging because of the effective procedures the childminder has in place and shares with parents. All children's individual needs are fully met by the childminder who seeks information from parents to enable her to provide a routine which the children are familiar with, this enables them to feel secure. Children develop a good understanding about their community as they are taken for walks to the local shops, park and school. Their knowledge of the wider world increases as they play with a good range of toys which reflect positive images, and celebrate festivals from around the world. The childminder has a good understanding of working with children with learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, develop a positive attitude, and have a strong sense of well-being because the childminder promotes herself as a good role model. They are offered lots of praise and encouragement and are in an environment which is calm and constructive which helps to develop their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship developed between the childminder and parents. Information about their daily care is formally shared, and the childminder continues to develop this to maintain confidentiality. The childminder has a complaints procedure which is shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a childminder who has a sound knowledge and understanding of child development. They are very settled because the childminder is well organised, and children

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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 have a routine which they are familiar with. Children are positively supported and encouraged to reach their full potential as they engage in a wide range of age appropriate and interesting activities. Consequently, children make good progress and are safeguarded.

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Organisation

Documents mostly work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: ensure loose wiring beside the TV is safe or inaccessible to children; ensure that the daily record of attendance is accurately maintained; keep details of any incidents; and obtain a copy of 'Introduction to Childminding Practice' course certificate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children stay safe because there is no loose wiring around the TV area. Their health and safety is appropriately monitored through an attendance record which is accurately maintained, and the childminder records any incidents or concerns. The childminder is unable to obtain a copy of her qualification certificate; however, records of her course are available as evidence to show that she has a sound knowledge and understanding of child development.

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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 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): • ensure prior written parental permission is obtained for administering medication and emergency aid • ensure that when children have access to the kitchen they are not exposed to hazards, and provide a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN safety standards.

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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 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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