Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY279803 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2007 Inspection date Glenda Sinclair 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 first registered in 2004. She lives with her partner and four children, aged eight, seven, five and three years, in a three-bedroom semi-detached cottage in the village of Berry Hill, within easy travelling distance of Coleford and Cinderford. Local schools, playgroup, toddler groups and play parks are all within easy walking distance. The childminder uses her whole house to care for children but most play takes place on the ground floor. The family own three working dogs, three cats, a hamster and a ferret. Only the cats have any contact with children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group and currently has one child on her books. She is able to offer overnight care for two children.

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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. The childminder takes all reasonable steps to prevent any possible spread of infection amongst children. Children wash their hands at appropriate times and use paper towels to dry them. Nappy changing procedures are suitable and all the family pets are adequately vaccinated and cared for. Medical records are in order. Children do not currently have access to the childminder's garden for fresh air and exercise but she has arranged to take children to a nearby play park, where they can run about and use the large play equipment. They also go for walks in local woods. Children sleep on a sofa-bed in the playroom, if necessary. The childminder gives children a sense of emotional well-being, as she offers hugs, cuddles and smiles.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder does not generally provide main meals but has a sound knowledge of nutrition and offers healthy snacks of fruit and regular drinks to prevent dehydration. She is prepared to work with parents to encourage reluctant eaters and is ready to experiment with different methods of encouragement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is clean, bright and child-friendly. Her toys and equipment are in good condition and are safe for children's play. She rotates toys regularly so that children do not become bored. She has only recently moved house but the childminder has put all necessary safety precautions in place and has plans to add to these with an escape ladder for upstairs and a carbon monoxide detector. Dangerous cleaning chemicals are housed behind locked doors and outside doors are kept locked so that children cannot leave unsupervised and unwanted visitors cannot get in. She has a password system in place to ensure that children only leave her house with authorised adults.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has done some child protection training and has a reasonable knowledge of the procedure to follow if she has concerns about the safety or welfare of an individual child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. There is a warm relationship between the childminder and the children in her care. This is evidenced by plentiful praise, smiles, hugs and cuddles. The childminder offers young children similar care to their own home situation. They help to sort washing and put it in the washing machine. They go on trips to toddler group and to visit supermarkets. They sit on her lap to look at picture books and she encourages the development of speech through repetition of new words. They go on picnics in good weather or go out to socialise with other childminders and their children.

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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. The childminder responds to children's individual needs and ensures that she offers activities, which suit children at different ages and stages of development. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and is prepared to care for children, needing extra help, provided that she receives any necessary training first.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and politeness is positively encouraged. There are a few written house rules such as no biting or kicking and the childminder uses distraction if it is necessary to divert a child from some unacceptable behaviour. She keeps parents well informed and works with them in their child's best interest.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home, time and resources well. This allows children to play happily and safely. Her registration records show the actual times of children's arrival and departure and all necessary parental permissions are in place to safeguard children. The childminder has not completed any specific training on the particular needs of children under the age of three.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to make sure that all cleaning chemicals were inaccessible to children. Locks have been fitted to cupboard doors to ensure that there is minimal risk to children's safety.

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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): • continue professional development through additional training for example on the Birth to three framework.

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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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