Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY317562 Unique Reference Number 05 October 2006 Inspection date Susan Rogers 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 2005. She lives with her three children aged five, seven and nine, in Lichfield, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the local library and to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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 have opportunities for exercise as they walk to and from school, and have access to good play space that includes a garden where they can explore and use larger play equipment. Children’s fine motor skills are well developed as they are skilled at using more intricate activity toys and expertly place shapes in the shape sorters and pegs into small holes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s welfare is protected because they have a healthy diet which includes fruit, raisins and sugar free squash. Children who have allergies have their specific needs met as the childminder has effective understanding of the nutritional needs of the children and prepares food that meets with the children’s preferences. Children are learning good social skills as they eat their meals using either a dining table or small table in the living room.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children wash their hands prior to eating and following their nappy changes, which helps to protect them against illness and infection because the routines are very effective. There is an effective procedure for recording therefore children are well protected if they need medication whilst at the setting. Children are well protected if they become ill in the childminder's care as she has first aid training and knows how to react if there were concerns over the child’s health. Children’s welfare is considered as the childminder has a sickness policy and contacts parents if their child becomes ill whilst in her care. There is written permission from children's parents for the childminder to apply sun protection cream therefore children are well protected in the sun. The children are learning about the dangers of the sun as all children wear hats, and are encouraged to play in the shade.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected against the dangers of fire because the childminder rehearses the evacuation plans with the children and has appropriate fire prevention equipment in place. There is however limited protection from the storage radiators, which at times comprises children's safety. Children are learning about the dangers of fire as they are offered explanations regarding the dangers of fire. The risk assessments mostly effective in protecting children from harm therefore children are mostly safe in the home. Children are learning about safety in the home because the childminder provides suitable supervision, monitors their behaviour as they play, and explains risks to the children if they behave unsafely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe as they are collected from school as the school collection service is well organised and suitable equipment is used to maintain their safety and to protect children’s individual needs. Children are able to access their toys as they are stored in see through containers, so contents can be easily seen therefore children's learning is made interesting. Children are encouraged to select activities of their choosing and are therefore able to direct their own play accommodating their individual preferences. Children are well protected if there are any concerns over their care as the childminder has attended appropriate training, and can identify aspects of a child’s care that would concern her. Children are encouraged to learn,

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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 because the premises are welcoming, there are examples of children's work attractively displayed, and toys and equipment are arranged so that children are encouraged to play and learn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's development is encouraged through a wide variety of activities which they enjoy, and encourages their curiosity. They confidently explore their surroundings asking questions about any changes in their environment which develops their knowledge, for example children asked well measured questions about the care of younger children. They are skilled in using language to effectively negotiate with others, and have developed good social skills so that they are considerate of each others feelings, promoting understanding between themselves and others. Children’s development is monitored as the childminder records many of their achievements in a daily diary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s learning is extended as the childminder has effective skills in supporting children, by frequently getting onto the floor to encourage their play. Children are encouraged to make their own decisions regarding their preferred activities because the childminder extends their learning by the introduction of new words and interesting experiences so that children’s play is challenging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The activities are interesting and are designed to enhance children’s learning. Children are encouraged to be creative in their play through the childminders effective skills that allow children’s existing activities to be extended. Children are happy as they are active in their play and their concentration is maintained as the activities are varied and interesting. Children’s learning is extended because they have opportunities to learn outside the home environment, and the childminder arranges visits to local libraries and carer and toddler clubs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well behaved and appreciate their play is enhanced when they include others. They play well together, share their activities and offer suggestions to each other. They are considerate of each others needs and take an interest in the care needs of younger children. Children readily take responsibility for the organisation of their toys tidying these away when new toys are introduced. Children are learning about acceptable behaviour as they have explanations offered to them that they understand.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy continuity of care as the relaxed atmosphere and the effective skills of the childminder encourage all aspects of the child’s care to be shared with their parents. Children’s welfare is protected as parents are well informed of their child’s activities through a comprehensive daily diary completed on each child, everyday. Children are encouraged to settle in gradually because they are able to attend the sessions for shorter periods of time until they become more confident, and their parents are consulted regarding their appropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's effective language skills are used to help them learn about diversity in society as more complex language is used to offer explanations so that they gain greater understanding.

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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 have positive self-esteem as they benefit from frequent praise and are actively encouraged in their activities, for example children’s art work is attractively displayed which places high value on their achievements. Children who have learning disabilities or difficulties have appropriate care, the childminder has an appropriate understanding of current legalisation and is sensitive to the specific needs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected as all adults who care for them are cleared and there is an effective contingency plan to ensure children are always cared for by cleared adults. Children enjoy effective protection as there are specific policies that refer to the service provided and all documentation relating to the children are securely stored.

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Organisation

Children’s individual needs are protected because the documentation is appropriate and well presented. Children’s needs and preferences are well considered and they have sufficient space to play and explore, as the equipment is changed at regular intervals and the space is well organised. The development of the younger children is protected as they have their own space where they can play and explore. Children’s development is encouraged as the childminder has completed training that provides her with additional skills that help her appreciate the needs of the children. Children’s welfare is protected because the school collection service is well organised. Overall the setting meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to promote effective routines to ensure children wash their hands before eating, to develop knowledge of the procedure to follow in the event of an accusation of abuse. To obtain written permission for children to be transported in a vehicle, to develop the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to plan and provide activities for children's next steps in learning and to increase further the toys and resources that reflect diversity. Children are now well protected as they wash their hands before they eat, and the childminder has developed appropriate knowledge of the procedures to be followed in the event of an accusation of abuse. Written permission has now been obtained for children to be transported in a vehicle and the childminder has developed further her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, using this to provide activities for children's next steps in

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Improvements since the last inspection

learning. Children are learning about the differences in society, as the childminder has increased the availability of toys and resources that reflect diversity.

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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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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

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 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): • take positive steps to promote safety within the home, by ensuring proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents in respect of the storage radiators.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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