Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334562 Unique Reference Number 04 January 2007 Inspection date Valerie Thomas 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 two children aged six and three years in Stoke-on-Trent. All areas of the property are 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years. The childminder transports children to local schools to take and collect children and visits the local playgroup regularly.

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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. The routines and procedures implemented by the childminder are fully effective to promote children's good health. Children use their own towels to wash and dry their hands before lunch and help themselves to tissues to wipe their own nose. Routines for nappy changing help to prevent cross contamination. Gloves are used by the childminder and the mat is wiped after use. The clear procedures in place for infectious children help limit the spread of infection and help them to keep healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the good range of healthy and nutritional meals provided by the childminder. Children enjoy eating the grapes and apples at snack time and sit well at the table as they eat the ham sandwiches for lunch. Discussions with the children help them to learn about what foods are good for them. This encourages children to develop a positive approach to healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Regular opportunities for children to be outside and play in the fresh air are provided. Children are taken on visits to a local nature area and park and there is a good range of equipment in the garden for them to use. This encourages children to develop their physical skills and a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. There is good space within the home for children to play comfortably with the toys. Areas are maintained and organised well with toys set out which are easily accessible. Children are able to make decisions about their play as they confidently choose the train track and tool set to play with. There is a wide range of good quality toys for the ages of children attending and safety is ensured through regular checks made by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the clear boundaries set by the childminder. They learn how to come down the stairs safely and that they should not jump down and that they need to be careful they do not trap their fingers in the doors. However, children's safety is not fully promoted as there are hazards present in the home. The windows in the bedrooms are not fitted with locks. There is a written fire evacuation procedure in place although the childminder has not practised the procedure. This compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues and the correct procedures for reporting any concerns. This helps to ensure that children are protected from harm or neglect.

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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 enjoy their time with the childminder. They enjoy dressing up as 'Bob the builder', putting on the helmet and goggles as they pretend to saw the table and use the drill to turn the screws. The childminder helps children to build their concentration span sitting with them as they make the train track and play with the farm animals. Children's language skills are constantly developed through lots of conversation and questioning. They are able to name animals such as a pig and tell the childminder that the face needs a nose and ears when asked.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The 'Birth to three matters' framework is not used to enhance the play opportunities to develop children's all round learning and enjoyment. Children develop their senses as they explore some natural materials as they bake and paint but do not experiment with sound, music and dance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's independence is developing well through encouragement from the childminder. They always help to tidy the toys away before they can get something else out, putting all of the cars in the box. As a result children are learning to be self-sufficient.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Opportunities for children to learn about the wider world are satisfactory. Younger children are taken to a local play group regularly and all children are taken on visits to places such as a local pottery museum. This helps them to develop their social skills within the local community. However, the range of resources to promote positive images of different cultures, gender and disability are limited. This does not help to fully raise children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Although there are no children currently attending with learning difficulties or disabilities the childminder has a satisfactory understanding that she needs to work in partnership with parents to meet children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good procedures are used to manage children's behaviour. Discussions with children are used to ensure they are aware of the boundaries. Children respond positively as they go to the childminder to have their trousers put on when asked and accept after a few minutes when they are told they cannot have something which belongs to someone else. This helps children to feel secure knowing what they can and cannot do. Children develop a good sense of self-esteem as they receive praise when they tidy the toys away and as they play. As a result, children are confident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive methods are in place to develop the partnership with parents. Written policies are shown to parents and discussion at initial visits informs them of how their child will be cared for. In addition, newsletters are sent home with important factual information. All individual needs are discussed and recorded. However, written consent to seek emergency medical advice and to transport children in a vehicle is not in place for every child. This compromises children's welfare. The children's well-being and how their needs are met during the day are discussed on a daily basis and a monthly meeting is held with parents.

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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 satisfactory. Children are at ease in the well-organised environment. They are confident to choose toys from the easily accessible toys in the main play room and receive positive interaction from the childminder as she engages in their play. Consequently, children are happy and settled.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed an 'Introduction to Childminding Practice' course and training on 'Business support'. However, she has not yet completed a first aid course although is due to attend one in March 2007. This does not ensure children's welfare is fully promoted.

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Organisation

Most policies and procedures are used appropriately to promote the well-being of children. They are shared with parents to keep them well-informed about the service and how their child is cared for. Documentation for children's attendance, accidents and medication meet all requirements. Overall children's needs are met.

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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): • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children • obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice and to transport children in a vehicle

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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 • improve safety for children by taking reasonable steps to minimise the hazard of the windows in the bedrooms and practise an emergency escape plan • improve the outcomes for children by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • increase the range of resources to reflect positive images of different cultures, gender and disability.

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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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