Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265093 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2007 Inspection date Susan Parker 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 has been registered since June 2003. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 1, 5 and 12 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire and is within walking distance of local schools, shops parks and other amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, andtwo bedrooms and an upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs a local toddler group for minded children for one day each week and a local childminding group. She 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 are cared for in a warm, clean and child-friendly home where they are learning the importance of good hygiene, personal care, and independence. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own needs according to age, supported by the childminder who acts as a good role model and offers clear explanations. This is demonstrated as she speaks clearly to them when encouraging children to share toys and behave in positive ways towards each other. Children's developing awareness follows naturally as they repeat daily routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies and young children have a daily record sheet which is used to monitor their sleep, food and nappy changes. Sleeping children are given a comfortable room with a cot or bed with their own sheets and are monitored by the childminder regularly. Parents are informed of the childminder's policy regarding exclusion when a child is unwell, however, this is only a verbal policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are indoor and outdoor physical activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example, as they explore the many resources and equipment in the safely enclosed garden. However, when the children are outside the home they do not have access to first aid equipment. Babies and young children are given the room to safely explore their environment. Good use of pre-planned activities which meet the needs of children ensure that even the youngest child can participate in a wide range of healthy activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning to keep themselves safe due to clear explanations and safe routines during play and when on outings. For example, clear reminders are offered when walking beside main roads or crossing roads. Use of wrist straps and buggies are used if required. The children benefit from a well-organised premises that offers access to stimulating play activities and adequate space enabling them to explore freely and learn to avoid accidental injury.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is well promoted because the childminder takes steps to prevent accidents and to plan for emergencies, for example, through written plans shared with parents and plans prepared for emergency evacuation from the home. The childminder works with other local childminders to offer emergency cover if required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities and procedures to follow in the event of a concern over child protection. This includes ensuring that parents have good information about child protection issues and understand her responsibility towards children in her care.

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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 interested and enthusiastic in their play. They engage in a variety of exciting and stimulating activities that support their development both indoors and outside, at home and in social groups. Through play, they have opportunities to extend their learning using what they already know to question and experiment with new concepts. This is demonstrated as children re-visit experiences through photographs of places and activities they have taken part in with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to develop confidence because the childminder gives them opportunity to question and values their discussions. Children solve problems and explore reasoning during daily play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are easily able to access toys and facilities both indoors and outside, developing their choice and independence, they take part in some outings and socialise with both siblings and peer groups to further social development. They take part in an outstanding variety of well-planned and organised play activities which promote all areas of development. All information regarding children's activities, achievements and development is effectively shared with parents. This ensures that parents are fully involved in all aspects of their children's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is very well supported by the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of how children learn, their interests and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are well met as they follow their normal daily routines as discussed, confidentially and fully, with their parents. Relationships are positive and children are making early relationships with other children both in the childminder's home and at social groups. Children thrive because their individual developmental stages are recognised and supported by the childminder. This is supported by thorough daily records completed and passed to parents each day. Transition into the care of the childminder is well planned and completed at the pace dictated by children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand responsible behaviour and recognise the needs of others due to consistent boundaries being maintained by the childminder. Children are aware of each other's ages and abilities and individual needs. This broadens their understanding and fosters good social development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a wide range of resources and activities using various media to promote multicultural awareness and diversity. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder ensures there are varied opportunities in which they may participate.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure within the surroundings where they develop a sense of trust in the childminder. They feel at ease in this organised environment leading them to confidently initiate play, explore their surroundings and lead conversations, both with the childminder and visitors. Children and parents are welcomed into the setting with clear and detailed information offered from the outset of any agreement.

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Organisation

Procedures are both written and informal and are shared with parents on a daily basis through written records, this promotes children's welfare and all-round development through clear information sharing. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of the Children Act and associated regulations, including 'Birth to three matters' framework, which ensures that she provides good care for children.

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Organisation

Organisation within the home allows access to all play activities both indoors and outside, children have independent access to personal care facilities and develop good awareness of their personal space and care through example and routines. These include personal hygiene, care for surroundings to ensure cleanliness and responsibility for play materials and personal belongings.

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Organisation

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 obtain written permission from parents in order to seek or treat children in the case of an accident, illness or emergency. This ensures that the children's health and safety is well promoted in partnership with the parents. The childminder has also put in place a confidential record in which she can record and concerns, worries or child protection issues. This ensures that the childminder's first concern is the safety and well being of the children in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has also acquired an extensive range of appropriate resources and provided a good range of activities that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. This ensures that all children recognise and respect each other's differences and learn about the wider world as well as people in their immediate 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 when children are outside the home, they can be treated for minor wounds, for example by taking a travel first aid kit • ensure that parents are fully aware of the exclusion policy for sick children.

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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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