Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY318863 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Glynis Margaret Kite 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 2005. She lives with her four children, two of them adults and two aged eight and nine years. They live in Hodlesdon, Darwen, Lancashire. 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 is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are two children on the register. Children may attend on a full and part time basis.

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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 are cared for in a homely environment, where cleaning and hygiene procedures are thorough. The childminder implements her exclusion policy for sick children and provides parents with details of the types of illnesses children may be excluded for. Children are learning about good hygiene procedures as part of the daily routines to help prevent any infections spreading. Children are also learning about good personal hygiene, such as washing hands before and after meals and snacks. The childminder reinforces the practice by talking through the procedures with children as they go along. The childminder is responsive to children's needs and provides tissues and wet wipes as they are needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of a healthy nutritious diet. The childminder works closely with parents and carers and follows their wishes with regard to their children's diet. Children benefit from having home cooked meals which include fresh fruit and vegetables everyday. Children are confident and enjoy the interaction which takes place during meals, for example, children and the childminder engage in lots of conversation about the food, which leads to other topics, such as growing seeds. Positive relationships are established as the childminder and children sit together for meals and snacks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from opportunities to engage in physical exercise everyday, such as walking to and from school and playing in the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Effective procedures are in place regarding the safety of children. The childminder implements some visual checks and also keeps some written details of checks on the premises, toys and equipment. The childminder is committed to keeping children safe and therefore makes effective use of safety equipment, such as electrical socket covers and records checks on appliances, including smoke alarms. A fire blanket is available for additional safety; however, this is not stored in a secure place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are warm and welcoming, with space organised well to allow children freedom of movement and easy access to toys and equipment. Children's learning and play is encouraged through the provision of good quality, safe and developmentally appropriate toys and equipment. Children can freely access the toys and equipment and are sufficiently confident to ask for other items. The range of toys and play materials which promote positive images and diversity are readily available to children at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She has a written policy in place, 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 are happy and settled with the childminder and are becoming increasingly independent as they select toys and equipment to play with. Children freely explore the environment and extend their play with support from the childminder. The childminder demonstrates good knowledge of the individual needs of children in her care and ensures they all have opportunities to make progress at their own pace.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy the interaction with the childminder and they receive lots of praise and encouragement, which helps to build their confidence. The childminder supports language and mathematical development through routine play, such as colour recognition, matching shapes, counting and discussion.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a flexible approach and provides toys and activities based on the children's interest and their stage of development. For example, when children have finished playing with one activity she supports them in making other choices. Children benefit from exploring a range of activities away from the childminder's home, such as feeding goats and visiting the local nature trail. Therefore children are gaining knowledge of their local community. The childminder demonstrated good knowledge of childcare and development; however, she indicated that she has no knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework for children under three years.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met well, based on the information gathered from parents. The childminder records the details of children's individual needs and what they can do in a booklet called 'all about me', this information is then shared with the parents. Children attend several settling in sessions to get to know the childminder and her family; this contributes to children settling quickly. Children develop a sense of belonging within the childminder's home as they enjoy the close interaction and opportunities for one to one time. Children are recognised as individuals and are treated equally and with respect. Children are learning about diversity in the community through activities both indoors and outdoors, for example, visits to local groups and parks. Children also access a good range of resources as part of their everyday play, this promotes positive images and diversity in the community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close working relationship that the childminder has established with parents. They regularly exchange information, both in writing and verbally. Parents are provided with a copy of the childminder's policies and procedures, which clearly set out her expectations. However, there is no provision in place at present for recording and sharing complaints.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder implements a range of strategies to manage children's behaviour, based on their age and stage of development, such as discussion and distraction. Children receive lots of praise, which helps to boost their confidence. The childminder promotes good behaviour through positive reinforcement. Children behave well.

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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 cared for in a homely environment, where they feel safe and secure. They are cared for by an adult who provides a satisfactory standard of provision through following procedures, such as suitability checks for adults on the premises and maintaining agreed registration conditions.

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Organisation

The space and resources are organised well, ensuring children have opportunities to play and learn at their own pace. Children are supervised well and have opportunities to move around freely and to make choices. Most of the required records and documentation is in place and clearly sets out how the childminder works with parents and children. Records are stored securely, this maintains confidentiality and are readily available for inspection.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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): • review wording of consent forms with regard to seeking parents permission to seek emergency medical advice and or treatment • make sure the fire blanket is in a secure place in the kitchen, making it readily accessible in the event of an emergency

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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 provision for children under 3 for example by accessing 'Birth to three matters training • develop a system for recording complaints based on the requirements in the National Standards for childminding.

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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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