Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY264699 Unique Reference Number 22 March 2007 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 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 aged 12, eight and six in the Martin's Wood area of Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor, apart from the office and utility room, of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part-time basis and one child over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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's health is efficiently promoted due to the childminder's effective policies and procedures. Areas used by the children are cleaned on a daily basis and gloves are worn when changing children's nappies preventing cross infection. Children are protected from illness as the childminder has a comprehensive 'Sick Children's Policy' which she shares with parents and has obtained parental consent for emergency medical treatment or advice. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene as the childminder encourages and supports their learning of good hygiene practices. They are aware of germs and the impact on their health. For example, before a cooking activity the childminder asks 'What do we need to do?' to which the child replies 'wash hands'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for outdoor exercise and fresh air, such as walking to school, trips to the local park playing on the swings and slides and walks to the nearby pond to watch the frogs and feed the ducks. Children develop their fine motor skills as they enjoy activities such as cooking and small world resources. For example, when stirring the cooking ingredients the childminder encourages the children by saying ' Use your big, strong muscles to stir the mixture.' Children's rest and sleep patterns are fully discussed with parents and accommodated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and are offered healthy snacks and meals that promote their growth and development. As detailed in the 'Food and Nutrition Policy' children are offered fresh home made meals, much diluted juice and limited sweets and fizzy drinks when their parents opt for the childminder to supply their meals. Weekly menus consist of meals such as cheese on toast, home made chicken dippers and a variety of vegetables. Children's independence is encouraged as they choose what to eat for snack with one child choosing strawberries with a drink. They choose their own plate and then count how many strawberries they want finally settling on three.

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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, safe and clean environment. They are effectively supervised at all times, which means that they develop their independence skills in a secure environment. The childminder makes good use of a daily check list continuously assessing the hazards and minimising the risks to the children. For example, now that a younger child in her care is mobile, a safety gate will be positioned at the bottom of the stairs preventing them from potentially hurting themselves. The childminder has clear safety policies, for example, covering procedures such as those to follow in the event of a fire, practising these with the children so they become familiar with them. The childminder also takes an emergency bag with her containing spare clothes, nappies, wipes and a drink enabling her to appropriately care for the children until help arrives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they adhere to house rules and the childminder's instructions. For example, they discuss topics such as 'Stranger Danger' and when doing a craft activity using small pieces, are reminded 'be careful with the stick on eyes so that the baby doesn't eat them and get a poorly tummy.' This is also developing their awareness and concern for others. Children freely choose from a wide range of toys and play equipment, which is in good condition and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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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 Children's welfare is competently promoted and safe guarded through the childminder's understanding and implementation of her written policies and procedures. She undertakes child protection training ensuring that children's welfare is protected and that she is able to follow the required procedures in the event of any concerns or child protection issues arising.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, settled and interested in their play. They relate well to the childminder who extends their play and learning experiences through, for example, asking open ended questions such as 'What colour envelope do you want for mummy?' when making Easter cards and 'What do you give the ducks?' when discussing a recent walk. Children can participate in all the activities because the childminder uses her solid knowledge of child development adapting the situation and encouraging all to become involved. For example, when a younger child starts sucking their Easter card they are given a rattle to chew instead and during the cooking activity they are given a bowl and wooden spoon so that they can do some stirring as well. When the younger child becomes unsettled the childminder supports the older child verbally, encouraging them in making their card and discussing where the rabbit’s eyes should go and who the card

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development in all areas is actively promoted as the childminder uses her good knowledge of the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework in planning age appropriate activities for them. For example, an activity such as playing peek-a-boo develops the children's communication skills and drawing pictures and describing what the pictures depict encourages the children in becoming a competent learner. Children also go on regular outings with the childminder to, for example, the local toddler group. Here they enjoy activities such as the recent Red Nose Party where they made crowns with feathers and jewels whilst also developing their social skills by interacting with other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a good relationship with the childminder who shows them that she enjoys their company, joining in their play and interacting appropriately with them. The childminder knows the children well and is attentive to their individual needs. A child who has only recently started with the childminder snuggles into her for a cuddle demonstrating their growing feeling a security.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and have a sense of belonging. They are made to feel included and very much at home as they all have their own cups and plates and a named drawer for their belongings. The childminder ensures that she is aware of each child's individual needs and meets them effectively. Daily conversations together with the use of a daily diary ensure that parents are well informed about their child's development and care. Children enjoy a child centred environment which ensures that unwanted behaviour is minimal. They learn to behave well and understand what is expected of them through the setting of realistic limits, consistent with their age and stage of development, and the positive use of praise and encouragement. When a child automatically wipes their face after snack the childminder comments 'Are you cleaning your face? Well done. Clever boy' and when the child wipes the table they are praised

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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 Children's understanding of the wider world and the community they live in is positively promoted by the childminder who provides a meaningful range of activities and resources reflecting our society. For example, resources such as books, games and small world figures positively promote those from other cultures and with disabilities. Children also celebrate festivals, including Chinese New Year, by making Chinese lanterns and cooking noodles to eat. The childminder has some experience in caring for children with behaviour difficulties and disabilities and is able to effectively care for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are confident and secure because the childminder has developed a positive relationship with parents. She welcomes parents into her home and makes time to discuss their child's day, ensuring that they are directly involved in the children's care and development. Effective systems for sharing information, such as an informative parents' pack including the Complaints Procedure, ensures that parents remain well informed about their child's activities and the childminder's working ethos. Parents' questionnaires enable parents to voice their views on the quality of care provided to which they positively respond with comments such as 'Happy with everything' and 'Very organised and professional which I am impressed with.'

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised, helping the children feel comfortable, relaxed and secure. They are supported by her, often initiating their own play and learning. Play opportunities are extended outside of the home enabling the children to have a positive understanding of the wider community and benefit from a healthy lifestyle.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted through the upkeep of clear accident and medication records and specific details such as written agreements with parents. However, the exact times of children's attendance is not always correctly maintained potentially leading to a misunderstanding with parents. The childminder has a comprehensive range of documents that are shared with parents keeping them fully informed about the provision. These are implemented within the daily routine and regularly updated to ensure continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe through the childminder's good understanding of her responsibilities to them. They also benefit from the childminder's commitment to further training, keeping her knowledge up to date and increasing the level of care provided. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to increase the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has actively increased the range developing children's understanding of different ways of life and the wider community.

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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): • ensure that the attendance register records the exact times of children's arrivals and departures.

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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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