Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY246950 Unique Reference Number 14 December 2006 Inspection date Susan, Esther Harvey 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 2002. She lives with one child aged four in West Swindon. All of the childminder's house is 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 one child under five, and two children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family have a hamster and cat as pets.

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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 are cared for in a clean home where they learn effective hygiene routines and personal care from the childminder. For example, children are reminded to wash their hands efficently in the liquid soap provided. This contributes to their good health through the diligent management of their personal hygiene by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a first aid certificate and accurately records any accidents that may occur. Parents are made aware of the childminder's sick children's policy, and written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is provided. This ensures appropriate action will be taken in the event of an emergency. However, further knowledge of notifiable infectious diseases is to be gained in order to report effectively to Ofsted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a very healthy lifestyle. They have daily exercise which is part of the childminder's planned routine of the day. This includes walks to and from school and pre-school, visiting local parks and bike rides. As a result, children learn about the importance of regular daily exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children gain from the childminder's enthusiasm for organic food from which she makes healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. Children's personal preferences are taken into account, but at the same time, the childminder encourages children to try new food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a stimulating environment. Toys and resources are set out ready for use on arrival into the childminder's home. Children are cared for in a safe home where all the risks have been identified and minimised. For example, the doors leading from the home are secure, children learn about fire safety as they are involved in regular emergency evacuation procedures. Children benefit from learning good road safety routines from the example set by the childminder. This includes clear instructions regarding the appropriate way to cross the road. As a result, children are learning to keep themselves safe while out walking. Written parental permission is provided in order for children to enjoy a variety of outings, which include bus and train rides, and visits to the library.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected by the childminder's clear understanding for safe guarding children and the reporting and recording procedures needed to keep children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have excellent care and are provided with a good range of play experiences. For example, children enjoy role play. They have an interesting selection of resources available to use in order to serve play food, and sell vegetables and fruit from their home-made shop. They

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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 become engrossed rolling and making shapes with play dough. Themed activities and written plans organised by the childminder give children a wide learning experience. This includes topics such as healthy eating and 'all about me'. Children are able to make their own decisions about what they wish to play with. They enjoy singing to music tapes and have memorised all the words to the Christmas tunes. As a result, children are fully supported by the childminder who is actively involved in their games and play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals by the childminder. They have many opportunities to learn skills for life through cooking activities and role play. Children learn to have positive feelings about themselves and the effect of their behaviour has on others; through the skilful management of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship between parents and the childminder. She has a professional approach in keeping parents informed of her service and the time spent with the children. This includes, written plans and photographs of activities which children have taken part in. Parents are informed of the childminder's complaints procedure, and the process that will be taken should they have a complaint about the service provided. Children are well integrated into the setting through the childminder's good organisation of the daily routine.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Organisation

Children are welcomed into a family environment where the space available gives them opportunities to play freely from the toys, books and various resources provided by the childminder. She is well organised in her use of time and, in the documents needed for the safe and efficient management of the provision. Children gain from the childminder's commitment in furthering her professional development by subscribing to an early years magazine, and attending courses which keep her up-to-date with many aspects of childcare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve fire safety precautions by providing a smoke alarm on both levels of the house. The childminder has now two smoke alarms covering both levels of the home. This has improved fire safety for children in the childminder's home.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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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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

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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): • obtain knowledge of notifiable infectious diseases in order to report effectively to Ofsted

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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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