Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY261327 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2006 Inspection date Mark Stephen Roy Vickers 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 daughter aged twelve years in Dunchurch on the outskirts of Rugby. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler and childminder groups and takes children to the local library and parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop a good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy because the childminder is a positive role model on hygiene practice. Children wash their hands prior to eating, after using the toilet, after touching pets and following outdoor and messy play activities.

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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 Children benefit from a warm and clean environment and their welfare is well promoted by the childminder's effective policy and procedures for dealing with sick children, medical emergencies and the administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating because the childminder provides a good variety of nutritious meals and snacks and encourages them to understand the need to make healthy eating choices. The childminder takes full account of children's individual dietary needs and requirements. Parents are asked to provide pre-prepared bottles and food for babies. Children are also encouraged to view meal and snack times as enjoyable social occasions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy many opportunities to undertake physical exercise including outdoor play in the rear garden and the local park which is just behind the childminder's rear garden. Children also regularly walk to and from school each day as well as to and from local toddler and childminder groups and the library.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure because of the childminder's strong understanding of health and safety issues which is reflected in her effective policies and procedures. She undertakes regular risk assessments of the premises and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a good understanding of the need to keep safe by the childminder involving them in everyday activities both indoors and outdoors. For example, through regularly walking children are made aware of traffic and the need to exercise road safety. Children are also encouraged to check that toys and equipment are safe both prior to and after use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children also develop a strong awareness of safety issues by taking part in regular fire drills. They understand that their purpose is to enable them to evacuate the premises as quickly as possible in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from premises that are safe and suitable and the effective use that is made of available space for activities both indoors and outdoors. Children also enjoy using a wide range of suitable equipment, toys, books, games and play materials that are stored safely and are made available for their use in a planned way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is well protected because of the childminder's good understanding of child protection issues. She has recently completed updated child protection training and this is reflected in her practice and procedures. The childminder actively shares her child protection policy and procedures with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's strong understanding of child development. The childminder has developed effective activity plans that encompass all areas of children's learning

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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 and these are applied in a manner that takes full account of the needs of the mainly part time children that she cares for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are secure and well settled because the childminder consistently supports and encourages them to express themselves in a self confident manner. Children also learn to listen to and value each other because the childminder provides a positive role model in listening to what each child has to say and in valuing their individual contribution.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children actively and enthusiastically participate in a significant range of enjoyable activities that stretch their imagination and at the same time increase their sense of fun. For example, they initiate their own role play using dressing up clothes and also enjoy heuristic play, which involves them engaging in imaginative play using commonplace everyday items such as pots and pans.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning and self confidence is enhanced by them taking part in a wide range of day to day routines that include helping to set up and tidy away toys and play materials before and after activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from extensive outdoor play activities, both in the garden and in the wider community, including local parks, walking to and from the local school, toddler and childminder groups and the library, as well as specific day trips. When walking they also learn how to co-operate in staying with each other and with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Overall the childminder's consistent and effective level of care ensures that the children's experiences are positive, enjoyable and beneficial.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled. They have a sense of belonging because the childminder actively seeks to foster inclusion and to value diversity in her practice. The childminder has effective policies and procedures relating to equal opportunities and special needs and actively liaises with parents to ensure that children's records contain information which enables her to give them the most appropriate care to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to appreciate and understand individual differences and readily accept and respect each other because of the childminder's consistency as a positive role model in recognising and meeting their individual needs. They also enjoy making use of a wide range of toys, books, puzzles and other play materials that positively reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to the childminder's calm and caring approach. Children learn about boundaries and acceptable behaviour because the childminder manages their behaviour in a consistent manner that rewards and encourages positive behaviour. The childminder's written behaviour management policy underpins this practice and is actively shared with parents.

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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 The childminder develops excellent partnerships with parents and it is evident from feedback from parents that they have a high regard for her, and particularly appreciate her caring approach towards the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well-informed about how their children are progressing both verbally and through a daily diary. The childminder also actively shares her policies and procedures with parents which are kept in an information folder along with information about herself including her training certificates.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are extensive written agreements with parents that take account of the individual needs of children along with the wishes of parents regarding arrangements for their care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the fact that the childminder is well organised. All policies and procedures are individual to the childminder and underpin her consistently good practice. All her policies and procedures are kept in an information folder and actively shared with parents. However, although the childminder is aware of the need to inform the regulator of any complaints she needs to ensure that all documentation is in place with reference to the complaints log.

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Organisation

Children's care is enhanced by the positive way in which the childminder organises activities and makes use of available space and equipment both indoors and outdoors, along with local facilities such as the park, the library and toddler and childminder groups.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains confidential personal files on each child. Individual child records are compiled with the assistance of the child's parents and are shared with them. This means that the children's care and well-being are always a priority and they are actively supported in achieving their potential.

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Organisation

Overall children's needs are met. The positive partnership with parents means that children's individual needs are well-supported and children are settled and secure because of the consistently good level of care that the childminder provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there was a recommendation that the childminder continue to develop opportunities for messy play. The childminder now provides the children with many opportunities to engage in messy play including a range of art and craft activities along with play dough, snow dough and spaghetti play. It is clear that the children enjoy these activities.

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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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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): • review documentation to take account of the need to maintain a complaint log.

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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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