Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269903 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2007 Inspection date Anne Archer 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 two children aged eight and three in the Ise Lodge area of Kettering, Northamptonshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with access to toilet facilities on the first floor. 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 and six children of school age. All are part time arrangements. The family has a cat and a rabbit.

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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 home where they learn the importance of good hygiene in relation to their general health. They become familiar with personal hygiene routines such as washing their hands before eating and after going to the toilet and the childminder is there to remind and supervise, as necessary. Children enjoy playing at the nearby park and in the garden and during school holidays going on walks and on visits such as to a local farm attraction. Children's health is also maintained because the childminder has written information about each child and has regular discussions with parents so that she is quickly informed of any changes. She is in the process of updating her knowledge and practice in paediatric first aid and feels confident to administer treatment if a child has an accident. She also has permission to seek medical treatment or advice in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a drink regularly throughout the day and are provided with a range of fruits for snack. Although parents provide the food for their children's lunches, the childminder ensures that children learn about healthy eating and tries to make meal times a social occasion.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move around the ground floor of the childminder's home in safety because she has a good awareness of how to keep children safe from potential hazards and has precautions in place to prevent accidents such as a safety gate at the bottom of the open plan staircase to prevent young children having unsupervised access. The house and garden are secure and exit door keys are stored safely while remaining accessible in case of emergency. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how to identify and deal with child protection issues and is booked onto a course later in the year to further develop this aspect of her practice. Children are able to independently select toys and resources from those stored in the play room and the childminder brings out other toys depending on the ages and stages of development of the children attending. She ensures that all are clean, safe and appropriate

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

for children to play with. For instance, a young child playing with a small ball was quickly distracted to a toy more appropriate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly at the childminder's home and have fun while developing new skills and experiences. All children are able to take part in and enjoy the activities provided because the childminder chooses activities which take account of children's interests and adapts them for the different ages and stages of development. Whilst children can help themselves from a wide range of toys and resources, the childminder plans activities in advance and has them ready for the children to play with when they arrive. They enjoy creative activities such as making photo frames for Mother's Day and dressing up in interesting materials and outfits. The pre-schoolers present during the inspection had fun finding dinosaurs in a bowl of jelly which

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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 provided opportunities for them to use their senses, learn new words such as 'sloppy' and practise their counting skills. Older children enjoy playing games and participating in art and craft activities. Nursery rhymes and sing along tapes play in the background while children are busy playing and occasionally they join in. During school holidays children enjoy outings to local attractions and parks and rides on the local bus. The childminder and the younger children attend a parent and toddler group which enables the children to socialise and play with other children of a similar age. When caring for babies and very young children the childminder takes account of their feeding and sleeping routines when planning the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder ensures, through discussion and written information from parents, that she is fully aware of the level of care each child requires and she ensures they are able to follow their normal routine. When caring for babies and younger children the childminder maintains a daily diary for parents which includes detailed information about the care of their child. Also through daily discussion the childminder keeps parents informed about what their children have been doing and how they have been during the day. The childminder informs parents about how to inform her if they are dissatisfied with any aspect of the service she provides although she has not set up a complaints log.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion and observation when they are out walking in the local community, children are developing an awareness of the wider world and the diversity of adults and children. This is supported in their play at the childminder's home by a range of resources and activities which positively reflect different cultures and beliefs. Children are learning to behave in an acceptable manner which is supported by the childminder's consistent and patient approach. They follow the 'five rules to make everybody happy' and are encouraged to adopt good manners, help each other and to share and take turns. The childminder uses appropriate methods to manage any unacceptable behaviour, taking account of children's age and level of maturity and shares these with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home in the organised environment enabling them to settle quickly and enjoy being at the childminder's house. The documentation and record keeping that childminders are required to keep are maintained appropriately with the exception of the daily register which does not show school children's actual attendance times. The childminder has thought carefully about which areas of her home to use for childminding to ensure children have sufficient space and freedom to initiate and extend their play while providing some privacy for her family. She has devised and is using her policies and procedures effectively to promote the welfare and care of all the children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to devise and practise an emergency evacuation plan and obtain from parents various consents and details relating to the care of their children. All recommendations have been met which has enhanced the level of care provided to children.

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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 action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 a record of complaints made by parents is kept and is made available to them on request • ensure records show children's actual hours of attendance

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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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