Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY330361 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2006 Inspection date Lynn Morris 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 satisfactory. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and one child aged one year in Burbage, Leicestershire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 caring for two children under five during the day and three school aged children. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a variety of toddler groups. The family has one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 satisfactory. Children take part in activities, which contribute to their health. They use a slide and swing in the childminder's large garden and they have access to sand, water and wheeled toys, which helps them develop control. They go to the local park where they use the climbing and play equipment. They have space for ball games and can run around freely. They attend outings with the childminder where they take part in interactive activities and they walk every day to local schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about the importance of hygiene and personal care. They learn to wash their hands after using the toilet and before and after snacks and meals. Children learn the importance of washing their hands after touching food to protect children with food allergies. Their health is safeguarded because the childminder has a current first aid certificate, a fully stocked first aid box and satisfactory systems to record accidents and medication given to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children bring their own food to the childminder's home, which is appropriately stored to reduce risk of contamination until children require it. They have access to fruit snacks and a range of drinks at all times. Children's individual dietary needs are known and met.

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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 home where their needs are given priority. Risks to children have been identified and minimised and daily checks ensure that children move around the home safely and freely. They are kept safe because the childminder has completed written risk assessments of the premises and activities, for example, how children can use scissors safely. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. They know that they need to stay close to the childminder and walk on the inside away from the road when out of the home and they learn how to cross a road safely. All safety equipment is in place and additional safeguards, for example, anti-slamming devices are fitted to doors to prevent accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children choose from toys of good quality and the childminder makes daily checks of toys and safety equipment and recorded procedures are in place to wash and clean toys and equipment. Children practise fire drills regularly and effective written procedures for emergency escape from the premises include all areas of the home. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has all required documentation and many additional written policies and procedures, which help to keep children safe. For example, the childminder has a written health and safety policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from risk of harm by the childminder's secure knowledge of local procedures to safeguard children. She has a written child protection policy, which is shared with parents.

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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 satisfactory. Children settle well in the childminders home. They make good relationships with the childminder and play well together. They socialise with other children during visits to or from other local childminders, where they experience different types of play and use a range of toys and equipment. They attend some organised groups and go on outings outside of the home with the childminder. They benefit from learning and play opportunities in the home, for example, they take part in cookery sessions and use a range of creative materials during craft activities. Their level of development is considered. Children have simple dressing up clothes but can also access more complicated dressing up clothes to develop their independence and imaginative skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose from a range of toys, which are easily accessed in the lounge and are changed frequently to add variety. They attend Jo Jingles an interactive group where they have music and movement with instruments. They attend Wriggly Readers at the local library where they listen to stories and story telling sessions. They are confident and comfortable in the childminder's care. Conversations take place and children are happy to make requests and have discussions with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about other cultures and disabilities. They choose from a satisfactory range of toys, including dolls wearing appropriate traditional clothes and dolls in a wheelchair, which help children develop a positive view of differences. They develop a positive attitude towards others and for example, discuss gender issues ensuring that they understand that all toys can be equally accessed by both sexes. As a result children learn to appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences. Although there are no minded children with disabilities currently attending the setting, the childminder has past experience of meeting the needs of children with disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are respected and valued and receive individual care according to their needs. They are aware of 'house rules' regarding behaviour because they can see the list of house rules which they have helped to devise. They receive praise and they are told when they have done something well and are praised for small achievements. Children have clear guidelines and boundaries. The childminder is consistent in her management of behaviour, a satisfactory role model and takes account of different levels of children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's information is exchanged with parents both verbally and through a written journal, which has examples of children's 'work' and progress. Parents and children can look at the journal freely. Children benefit from written information provided for parents, which includes policies and procedure documents, a prospectus of the setting and services provided. Time is set aside for discussions with parents about their child's progress. Parents are asked for their written comments about the service they receive.

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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 feel at ease in a well organised homely environment. They benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills, which promote a safe and secure learning environment. Children use the rooms downstairs to take part in a variety of activities. Children are confident and comfortable and they move through the daily routines with ease. Regular visits outside of the home contributes to their social and physical skills.

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Organisation

A very good range of written policies and procedures are used to keep children safe and healthy and ensure that parents understand the aims and objectives of the setting. However, the registration certificate is not currently displayed where parents can see it. Communication with parents is good. They have daily opportunities for discussion and consultation about their child's development and well-being. Regular attendance at training courses and commitment to improve skills and knowledge has good impact on the care of children and overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this was the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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 satisfactory. 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 registration certificate is displayed where parents can see it.

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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 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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