Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334676 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2006 Inspection date Gillian Charlesworth 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 May 2006. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and a qualified Nursery Nurse (NNEB).

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and four children aged between 12 and 19 years in a house in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Schools, parks and shops are within walking distance. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding where there are toilet facilities and space for children to have undisturbed sleep. The first floor is not registered. There is a fully enclosed, secure garden for outside play. The childminder’s family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a car to transport children. She attends a local childminder group and the toy library regularly with the children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five 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 plenty of opportunities to play in the fresh air and enjoy physical activity and this contributes towards a healthy lifestyle. For example, young children gradually grow in confidence to move their bodies to music indoors and are motivated to ask for more. They visit the park regularly and play in the garden. Children have appropriate periods of rest and sleep because the childminder sensitively interprets their needs. She recognises their signs of tiredness and gives them plenty of support to enjoy an activity before settling them to sleep in a quiet room.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are consistently protected from the risks of cross-infection and a suitable written sickness procedure is shared with parents. Children are encouraged to learn the importance of personal hygiene. This is through routines such as washing their hands after nappy changes and playful singing activities that introduce them to brushing their teeth. Arrangements to ensure that children have appropriate first-aid treatment are in place. While most documentation is well managed, and the childminder phones parents to authorise the administering of medication, the absence of prior written permission means that children's health is not fully protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have drinks readily available. Meals are provided by the childminder who takes account of children’s individual dietary needs and offers children plenty of healthy choices. For example, at snack time they have raisins, cheese, fresh fruit or breadsticks. Meals are a balance of home cooked and occasional fast food and fresh fruit or yoghurt is always offered. A sample daily menu has been devised for parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children thrive in a spacious and child-centred environment where they are actively welcomed. They have opportunities to use the garden and can freely access the range of age-appropriate and inspiring resources. For example, a treasure box is well equipped and offers young children stimulating playful sensory experiences. Children take an active part in choosing toys from the toy library and in the informal cleaning of toys as they enjoy washing small-world toys in soapy water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are always kept safe from harm through the childminder’s excellent supervision, skilful intervention and regular checks when they are sleeping. She manages risks informally and makes a daily inspection of areas used by the children. Suitable safety equipment is in place to protect children from harm and the childminder recognises potential hazards and identifies the action necessary to minimise these. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, when on outings. Young children are encouraged to tidy away floor toys in order to have plenty of space to dance to music safely. Appropriate written fire safety procedures are in place although not yet practiced to fully protect children in the event of a fire. This is

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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 young children are new to the setting and are settling. Suitable fire safety equipment is in place and informally checked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded and protected. The childminder has attended a recent training course related to child protection to update her previous knowledge and experience. She has guidance materials readily available and a written child protection policy that is shared with parents and sets out reporting procedures. However, information has not been actively sought with regard to Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards that replaces previous Area Child Protection Committee guidance. This means that not all information is completely up to date to assess whether changes to procedures are necessary to further benefit the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in a calm environment where they flourish through the excellent, warm and trusting relationships with the childminder. For example, young children giggle as they bounce up and down on the childminder’s knee enjoying the natural interaction. They delight in exploring materials in a treasure basket together and giggle when the childminder humorously asks “is that funny?”

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The daily routine is relaxed and flexible. It enables children to participate at their own pace and feel secure. Their individual needs are met because nappy changing, meals and sleeps are all incorporated in consultation with the children and parents. As children arrive they explore freely, choosing toys and materials that excite and interest them. Children are encouraged to be sociable. For example, at snack time a small table and chairs are set up for the children to sit opposite each other and be together. The experience is enhanced when the childminder recognises and helps children to include their dolly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework although is developing activities around alternative published materials that focuses on practical activities and link to the framework. As a result, the range of activities are stimulating and support children’s play, learning and development; helping them to have the dispositions to be competent learners. For example, children enjoy exploring a treasure box; they shake containers showing curiosity at the different noises. They use their senses to explore ‘smooth’ shells and connect materials together using one-word utterances such as “duck” to describe a spoon that is ‘stuck’. Children are encouraged to be involved in the whole process of painting. After they have explored and experimented with brushes, fingers, hands and paper they are invited to wash equipment in soapy water. They enjoy splashing while the childminder describes the bubbles and changes to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children select books independently and bring them to the childminder to share. They engage in constant conversation and this helps them to become skilful communicators. They repeat words and take turns in conversation as they are motivated by the childminder to look for illustrations in the book. They enjoy songs and action rhymes and are skilfully encouraged by the childminder to play imaginatively. For example, through introducing characters when children use a tea set, enabling them to extend their learning playfully.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a strong sense of belonging. They are comfortable in their surroundings and happily play alongside others with the childminder who ensures they are all involved and interested in their chosen activities. Children’s individual routines are made personal through the childminder’s warm interaction. They bring comforters from home and the childminder ensures that she knows children’s special words in order to recognise their requests. Children learn about the local community through outings and they actively use multi-cultural dolls to help them appreciate diversity. While there are no children attending with learning difficulties or disabilities, the childminder has experience of working with children with a range of needs. She is willing to work with parents and professionals to meet these needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and are constantly praised and valued. Children’s occasional frustrations are sensitively managed to enable them to play harmoniously and resolve any difficulties with sharing. This helps them to feel self-assured and resume purposeful play with enjoyment and without fuss. Very young children have opportunities to begin to share responsibility for the organisation of the setting. They playfully take turns with the childminder as she names resources to identify and tidy away. Those as young as two years enjoy these games and begin to initiate such activities at appropriate times independently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the successful, friendly and trusting relationships the childminder is developing with new parents. Parent feedback confirms this and comments on the effectiveness of daily verbal feedback. Information that parents receive at the outset includes written policies and procedures and these have been recently updated into a port-folio that the childminder plans to share with prospective and existing parents in the future. A written complaints policy is in place and the childminder has recently sought revisions in guidance to introduce procedures to investigate concerns and reassure parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare and development is protected and safeguarded because the childminder is experienced and has a professional approach towards her role. For example, she is a qualified Nursery Nurse and has worked with children in a range of settings. She recently attended training in first aid and child protection. While she has no formal plans for further training and development she intends to access short courses in the future to enhance experiences for children. For example, use of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities regarding her conditions of registration. Vetting of all adults is in place and supporting documents are readily available to reassure parents.

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Organisation

Children’s attendance is organised so that they are well supported and can benefit from the high adult to child ratios during the day. Their needs are highly regarded by the childminder who prioritises her time with them so that they have plenty of attention and interaction.

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Organisation

Documentation is comprehensive and conscientiously implemented to support the safe management of children. A wide range of written policies, procedures and guidance materials

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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 have been very well-organised into a port-folio for easy reference and to promote children’s development. The childminder uses National Childminding Association recording systems, the vast majority of which are clearly understood and in place. Overall the range of 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 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 parents give prior written permission to administer any medicine • obtain and have regard to Local Safeguarding Children Board’s guidance or any materials that replace this.

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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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