Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY334978 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2006 Inspection date Kim Wailling Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives her seven year old child in London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire. The whole of the house, excluding the main bedroom, is used for childminding and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

p.2

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, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks and drives to the local school to take and collect children. The childminders attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have no pets.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is well promoted because the childminder has in place good systems and routines. Parents, for example, are asked to complete individual profile sheets about their children recording health concerns and dietary needs. These are effectively used so that children's individual needs are met. Children are helped to develop personal independence skills. They follow good routines such as, washing their hands before snacks and after playing with play dough. Each child has an individual towel to use which is kept in easy reach in the downstairs cloakroom. Discussions with parents about when it is appropriate to exclude children who are ill or infectious take place. Children's health, if they have an accident, is well safeguarded as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. There are two first aid kits to deal with any minor injuries to children and documentation to record accidents and incidents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Consequently, children's health is effectively promoted.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are very well met as the childminder has a good knowledge of nutrition. Children are offered freshly prepared food such as, fresh fruit for snack and vegetable casseroles for lunch and frequent drinks. Information about children's dietary requirements is gained from discussion with parents before childminding starts. Where a religious requirement exists, the childminder is aware of the importance of checking foods so it is adhered to at all times. Older children eat meals together at the dining room table. Infants under one enjoy unhurried feeds, amounts being recorded on daily diary sheet. The childminder works closely with parents of infants to ensure that weaning is successful. As a result, children are helped to develop good appetites and are well nourished.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of providing children with opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children are able to play in the childminder's garden with a range of equipment such as, a sand pit and wheeled toys. They are taken for regular walks to feed the ducks on the village pond. This means that children have regular physical activity which fosters their physical development very well. Activities such as play dough and using tools such as, glue spatulas and safety scissors further increase children's coordination.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children can rest and sleep according to their needs. The daily routine is well-organised to fit in with children's individual sleep patterns. Infants under one are offered a travel cot and sleep undisturbed in a first floor bedroom. Toddlers enjoy using sleeping mats and are offered a quiet time in the afternoon to rest or sleep. Children's rest and sleep is constantly monitored.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean, tidy and welcoming family home. They can move around freely as the furniture and storage of toys, particularly in the lounge, have been arranged to create uncluttered spaces. Children use equipment, such as car seats, which are age-appropriate. All toys are clean and regularly checked to ensure that they are in good repair. The garden is

p.3

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 well-maintained so that possible hazards to children are minimised. The childminder has used safety information leaflets to improve her practice. Fire safety, for example, has been carefully considered and effective measures are in place. This means that children are cared for in a safe indoor and outdoor environment that effectively promotes their development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the need to be vigilant. She ensures that children are in sight or hearing at all times, both in her home and on outings. Outings are carefully arranged so that children receive the childminder's full care and attention. Children are encouraged to learn about keeping themselves safe. Young children enthusiastically help to tidy away floor toys, such as construction toys, to make a clear space for the next activity. Children's welfare is well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. This is underpinned by comprehensive documentation which is shared with parents. As a result, children's safety and welfare is fully protected.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show eager interest in the very wide range of toys and activities on offer. They can freely access toys as the childminder has purchased attractive storage units which the children can reach. Children are encouraged to create their own games, such as bathing and changing a baby doll, which are rewarding and satisfying to them. Age-appropriate planned activities are offered daily, such as using play dough and creating Christmas pictures, which children happily join in. Older children have the opportunity of being involved in art and craft activities as the childminder has a an extensive range of materials for them to use.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning is very well promoted. The childminder has a good understanding of how to stimulate children's interests and keep children busily involved. She sits and plays with the children, offers ideas to extend their play, models skills and engages them in meaningful conversation. Infants under two have use of a wide range of colourful interactive toys which are stored within easy reach. All children are regularly taken on visits, for example, to the local children's farm.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's progress is very well monitored by the childminder. As well as completing daily diaries she uses an assessment record to help her track children's levels of development. This provides her with information about the stages of children's development to ensure that planned activities and experiences are relevant to meeting the children's needs. The childminder is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is incorporating all of its aspects into her practice. This means that children are helped to make progress and learn in an enjoyable way.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happily settled and valued. They form positive relationships with the childminder, the childminder's family and with each other. Children play happily together as social skills such as sharing, are encouraged. Children are helped to manage their own behaviour as the childminder has good understanding of behaviour strategies. This means that children behave

p.4

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 well. Children have a sense of belonging and know where to find favourite toys. They are helped to gain an understanding of the wider community as the childminder has an adequate range of resources, such as story books, which promotes this. Toys, ranging from cars to dolls, are freely available for all children to use. Some, such as 'small world' houses and play people have been specially purchased so that children are offered toys that reflect non-stereotypical roles. Children benefit from the childminder's previous experience of working with young children and her ability to make small adaptations, such as providing left handed as well as right handed scissors, so that all children are fully included in activities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the friendly relationship that the childminder has established with their parents. Settling-in procedures are flexible, taking into consideration the needs of the children and the requirements of parents. Information about the setting, policies and procedures are shared with parents before childminding commences. There is a procedure, should it be necessary, for recording complaints and their outcome. However, the complaints policy does not make clear that parents may see the complaints record on request. The childminder talks through her polices with parents, such as helping children manage their own behaviour and asks parents to sign them so that all agree. Parents are also asked to complete a brief profile sheet about their children so that information about the children's likes and dislikes shared. As a result, children make a smooth transition from home into the childminder's care.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time very well. The daily routine includes unhurried play, planned activities and outings. Alongside this children have relaxed meals and snacks and sufficient time for sleep and rest which means that their individual care needs are fully met. Taking and collecting children from the local primary school is an important event in the day and gives children a sense of security within a familiar pattern.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has established a comprehensive childminding portfolio which includes policies, procedures and information leaflets that are necessary for the efficient and safe management of the setting. She has successfully passed a local authority approved childminding pre-registration course, first aid training as well as holding a valid certificate in food handling and hygiene. The childminder evaluates her practice very well and has attended further training, such as child protection, to update her knowledge and understanding. Overall children's needs are met.

p.5

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.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

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 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • inform parents and carers that the complaints record can be seen on request.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6