Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334269 Unique Reference Number 04 December 2006 Inspection date Janet, Elizabeth Singleton 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 July 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11, six and two. The whole 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding one. The home is close to a local school, shops and the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family have two dogs who live in the home. At the time of the inspection there were no minded children present.

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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 stay healthy because the childminder demonstrated her understanding of satisfactory hygiene practices. They learn about healthy living as they are encouraged to wash their hands at mealtimes and after attending to their personal needs in the bathroom. She discussed how she encourages them to take responsibility for their hygiene needs by having baby wipes readily available. The required documentation to maintain children's health and medical needs is in place and up to date.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows a clear understanding of the need for a balanced and healthy diet. She explained how she works closely with parents and respects their wishes in the provision of the food and drink for their child. She discussed how she ensures children can access a drink if they require one to enable them to monitor their own needs for a drink.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrated a sound understanding of keeping children safe. She has all required safety features available and in place and ensures children can play in a safe, secure and well maintained environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

She explained how the children are encouraged to make choices from the selection of toys and resources. They can access the appropriate play materials including books, jigsaws and role play. Through observation and discussion it was evident that the toys are stored near the areas of play, this being in the storage unit to the back of the room, and are easily accessed by the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection and although she is aware of who to contact and the action to take should a child protection issue arise, she was not confident in when to make the decision to report. She demonstrated a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse. The policy is not in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board as it refers to the Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder discussed the balance of activities she provides for the children. She ensures they have a variety of topics, which includes attending the local toddler groups and visiting places of interest, for example, the soft play centre, therefore providing opportunities for children to socialise. The childminder has an informal structure which includes making creative pictures and reading stories. She discussed how she includes numbers, colours and shapes, by discussing these as they play together.

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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 Evidence suggests children have a warm and caring relationship with the childminder as she talks about how she encourages positive interaction. She discussed how they like to play both alone and with her as they talk about the activities and read stories together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Discussion with the childminder demonstrates that children are valued and respected. She explained how she would include children who have learning difficulties or disabilities and how she would work with parents to meet the individual needs of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder discussed her behaviour management strategies, which include working with parents to ensure a consistent approach is followed. She has boundaries and guidelines, for example, not running or jumping on furniture in place. She talked about the need to praise children, by singing and clapping hands when children succeed. She also mentioned how she encourages children to share and work together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder discussed how she works with parents to meet children's needs by having daily discussions with them to ensure a consistent approach is followed. She talked about the importance of having good working relationships and having honest and open discussions about their children and her childcare practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrated that she makes appropriate use of time, space and resources by ensuring children have room to move freely and can make decisions about their play. Daily routines are in place and she has a flexible approach to respond to children's individual needs.

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Organisation

She has maintained a current first aid certificate to provide for children's medical needs and has attended the required training regarding the registration childminder workshops.

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Organisation

The required regulatory documentation is in place, available for inspection and stored securely. Although most records are generally well maintained, the register of attendance had not been fully completed.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that 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

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.

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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): • update the child protection policy in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and increase your knowledge of the action to take if there were concerns about a child • ensure the attendance record is maintained on a daily basis.

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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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