Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY256481 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2006 Inspection date Susan Ennis 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and five years in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom of the childminder's 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 a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five on a part-time basis and one child over five occasionally during school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. No children were present at the time of inspection.

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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. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding children's medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies. She describes how children learn about their personal hygiene through normal daily routines such as, washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. From discussion, the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of healthy eating, including the need to have drinks accessible at all times. She speaks of working with parents to ensure that all children's individual needs are met and accommodated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder talks of offering children a range of activities which contribute to their good health. For example, children walk to and from school, visit the park to use the swings and climbing frame and play in the garden with bats and balls and the sand pit. All these help the children to develop control of their bodies and gain spatial awareness. The childminder speaks of accommodating children's rest and sleep patterns by fitting around the child's individual routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows a secure knowledge of how to promote children's immediate health and welfare, for example, she has a First Aid and Emergencies policy, a copy of which is given to parents. A written Sick Children's policy also protects children from cross-infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in and outside her home have been generally minimised, so that children can play safely. For example, sockets are covered and safety gates are in place on the staircase and entrance to the kitchen. However, children's safety could be compromised as the first floor smoke alarm is not correctly positioned and toiletries in the bathroom are stored at an accessible level. Also some plants in the garden are hazardous as they have sharp thorns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder explains how she helps children to learn about their own safety through, for example, discussion about road safety procedures and keeping small pieces, such as Lego off the floor in case younger children try to put them in their mouths. She talks of sensitively supervising children's choices of toys and activities enabling them to select resources independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through discussion the childminder shows that she promotes children's welfare and ensures that they are her first priority. She demonstrates that she has the required documentation and contact details in place enabling her to act promptly should a concern arise.

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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. The childminder demonstrates that she offers a varied and stimulating range of activities for the children including painting, role play, board games, books and visits to the local toddler group and library. She has a sound understanding of the manner in which children learn providing opportunities for them to develop in the areas of learning as well as encouraging their independence and self-esteem. For example, she talks of challenging children with open ended questions such as 'how many are there?' and 'what colour is this one?' when playing with building bricks. The childminder demonstrates that activities can be adapted to meet the needs of the children in her care. While older children are enjoying a table top activity of sticking, she plays and amuses the younger children with floor toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources are sufficient in quality and quantity offering developmental support to children across the registration age range. The childminder states that resources are regularly rotated to provide variation and further stimulating. From discussion the childminder shows that she involves parents in the play experiences of their children through regular verbal exchange. She has an awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and plans to use this more fully in the future.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates that she offers opportunities for children to develop a basic awareness of other cultures and the wider community. For example, through visits to the local shops and toddler group and Christmas celebrations, however, the range of resources reflecting other cultures and those with disabilities is limited. Although the childminder has little experience in caring for children with disabilities or learning difficulties she demonstrates that she is able to soundly care for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a sound knowledge of behaviour management giving examples of how she approaches the children's different ages and stages of development. She uses age appropriate strategies such as, tone of voice and distraction. She mentions using her house rules to encourage the children to show respect for each other and playing together. The use of an egg timer encourages the children to learn about turn taking and sharing time on the computer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

From discussion the childminder indicates that she has an effective partnership with parents. She states that this is fostered through daily discussions about the day's activities and the parents being given a copy of her policies and procedures including the complaints procedure. However, this procedure is to be updated in line with the latest Ofsted publication.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates that she generally organises her work, helping the children to feel comfortable, relaxed and secure. She shows that she meets the children's individual needs

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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 through her procedures and policies, ensuring that most relevant information is in place. However, an area requiring review is the documenting of the actual times the children attend to ensure that misunderstandings with parents are kept to a minimum.

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Organisation

The childminder shows that she uses her sound child care knowledge to assist her in planning a safe, stimulating and caring environment for the children. She shows how she ensures that the children are offered a varied range of activities that all are able to participate in, encouraging their development in the areas of learning as well as their independence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that 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 was asked to review the range of resources to positively reflect gender. The selection has been increased although the range promoting those from other cultures and with disabilities still requires further improvement.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To promote the children's good health the childminder was asked to wear gloves whilst changing nappies which she now does. Records of existing injuries are now maintained ensuring the children's safety and minimising misunderstandings with parents.

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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 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 fire safety by ensuring there is a correctly positioned smoke alarm on the first floor • ensure that household and garden hazards are made safe or inaccessible to children. Refers to toiletries and plants

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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 • update the complaints procedure in line with the National Standards for Under 8s day care and childminding Addendum • increase the range of resources to positively promote those from other cultures and with special needs • ensure that the attendance register records the exact times of children's arrival and departure.

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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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