Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253481 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2006 Inspection date Diane Mary O'Neill 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children, twins aged seventeen months and a four-year-old in a village near Bedford. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a first floor bedroom available for children to have undisturbed rest. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five and three over fives. She is in walking distance to local schools to take and collect children. The family have two axolotls.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 stay healthy because the childminder is active in promoting good hygiene by raising children’s awareness of good practice and healthy living. For example, they learn about hygiene routines as they wash their hands before snacks and meals and after using the toilet. This helps them to effectively understand the need to practise good routines of personal care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from cross-infection as the childminder takes positive steps to ensure children do not attend if they have a contagious illness. If they are taken ill whist in the childminder's care, they are made comfortable until parents can collect them. The administration of any emergency first aid or medication is well recorded. Children’s health and well-being is successfully maintained through the childminder’s good practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have varied and well balanced healthy snacks which are provided according to their dietary requirements. For example, they have fruit, toast with various spreads and bread sticks. Children's dietary and nutritional needs are well maintained by the childminder's knowledge and basic food hygiene training. Children are provided with drinks throughout their time in the childminder's care. The childminder ensures that parents are fully informed about the snacks the children have eaten.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills through a variety of play experiences both inside and outside. The children move freely and confidently within the childminder’s home, where there are opportunities to select play equipment independently. This enables their exploration, investigation, communication and imaginary skills to be developed through their play experiences. Children’s outdoor play is further expanded by play opportunities in the garden, such as when they use the sit and ride toys, sitting in the sand pit, using the ball pond. They have trips out within the local community, such as going on trips to the park, where they have the chance to use different equipment to develop their physical skills. They also enjoy playing hopping and skipping games on the way home from school.

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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 welcoming and safe environment as the childminder is aware of risks and has taken positive steps to minimise these. She carries out informal risk assessments daily and regularly checks the equipment to ensure children's safety whilst in her care. The childminder is aware of procedures to follow should she need to evacuate the premises. She has written procedures and regularly practises emergency evacuation of the premises with the children. Following these procedures reinforces their learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have good opportunities to access suitable play space and play equipment both inside and outside. This contributes to developing their independence skills through a choice of activities and play materials which the children have available to them. Children are beginning to learn about safety, such as not to climb trees and be careful when using the slides in the

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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 park. The childminder has special wrist bands for the children in case of an emergency. They have a regular clocking in procedure with the childminder that helps ensure all children are present. All the children learn about the safety of crossing the road when out with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She has devised a policy and has a check list in place to ensure she follows the correct steps in reporting concerns. She has up-to-date guidance which underpins her knowledge and understanding to help her care and protect children who attend.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very secure, settled and happy in the childminder’s home. They are confident with themselves and have an excellent relationship with the childminder and other children attending. Children confidently talk about their needs and interests, likes and dislikes. They excitedly join in art and craft work and messy activities. They thoroughly enjoy making mud huts, letters of their names and small bowls from clay. These play experiences help develop their manipulative and creative skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are learning to share and take turns when playing with the toys and equipment. The children are extremely sociable and relate well to each other and the childminder. There is excellent use of communication and effective interaction which enables the children to talk about what they were making with the clay, as well as being relaxed in her care. This was evident with the conversations taking place throughout the inspection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s learning is very well supported by the childminder who provides a broad range of stimulating and challenging play experiences. Their independence is enhanced by being able to easily access play materials from within the childminder’s home. Children are able to freely make choices for themselves as well as having some activities planned for them. For example, taking part in art and craft activities. Children's learning is extended through the use of conversation with each other. The children have their physical play expanded by trips to the park, doing hopping and skipping games on the way home from school and playing out in the garden with the outdoor equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have some opportunities to learn about their community and the diversity of the world around them such as festivals and the different kinds of people who they may see. This is achieved through the childminder’s positive attitude and use of some resources that she provides to extend their learning. However the resources do not sufficiently extend children's knowledge and understanding in all areas of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s needs are very well met as they follow their daily routine. The childminder has built up a good and trusting relationship with the children that enables them to feel confident and happy within their surroundings. She sets a good example to the children by being calm and

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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 polite. Praise is given freely to the children, ensuring that they develop confidence and self-esteem and understand when they have done well. The children are starting to foster good relationships with one another and this is promoted through positive contributions by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn and have an awareness of boundaries and rules such as sharing and taking turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s well-being is effectively promoted through the childminder having a good working partnership with parents which impacts on the confidence and security of each child. Each parent has sufficient time to discuss their child’s progress on a daily basis with the childminder so they are fully informed about their child’s day; equally parents have time to share any information with the childminder which helps with the care of the children. The childminder has a six monthly parent questionnaire, which helps her to reflect her practices and make relevant changes. All parents get to read the childminder's policies and procedures and complete relevant paper work. The childminder has a clear set of policies and procedures should any complaints or concerns be raised by a parent.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s care and welfare is safeguarded at all times, by the childminder's good practice and awareness of procedures to follow. The children have access to an extremely well organised playroom where they can freely access play materials. They have good access to outside play within the childminder's garden or going out to the local park. All these play experiences provide a wealth of exciting learning opportunities for the children. They feel relaxed, secure and comfortable within this well organised environment, this enables them to be confident, energetic and engaged well in their play together. They seek adult support when needed, clearly showing confidence within their surroundings and the good relationship formed with the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps a very organised range of required record keeping, policies and procedures. These are all available to parents. The childminder has good systems in place for the sharing of information on a regular basis with parents, so they are kept fully informed about their child's well-being, progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively on the children.

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Organisation

The childminder is very keen to extend her own learning through attending courses to enable her to provide variety and interesting play and learning experiences, suitable to their ages and stages of development. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that there was a fire blanket which is easily accessible in the kitchen. The childminder has a fire blanket in place within the kitchen, so ensuring children's safety.

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Improvements 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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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.

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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 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 resources positively reflect all areas of diversity.

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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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