Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY311850 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2006 Inspection date Catherine, Louise Sample 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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her adult son in Devizes. The ground floor and spare bedroom are used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog and two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a total of four children at any one time. There is currently one child on roll. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for two children.

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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 have regular food and drink. Parents supply meals and drinks and these are stored appropriately. The childminder feeds back to the parents about what children have eaten during the day. She ensures that children have regular drinks and is careful to offer extra fluids during hot weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's hygiene needs are met through generally effective measures. These include keeping all surfaces clean and sterilising toys and cups on a weekly basis. The childminder ensures that children's runny noses are wiped often and changes their nappies regularly throughout the day. Nappy changing arrangements are generally appropriate although the childminder does not wear disposable gloves or clean the changing mat after each use. Children are protected appropriately from the potential health risks posed by pets. The childminder has a dog and two cats which are all regularly treated for fleas and worms and have annual inoculations.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected appropriately from illness and infection. The childminder has recently been ill and informed the parents that she could not, therefore, care for minded children. She is only caring for one child at present so is sometimes able to care for them when they are unwell. However, she is aware that once she has more children she will have to refuse to care for any child that is unwell to prevent cross infection. Children's first aid needs are met through the childminder's knowledge of first aid.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety in the home is promoted through generally effective measures. These include keeping cleaning materials and other hazardous items out of reach of children and keeping the front door locked at all times. Children are protected appropriately from fire. There are smoke detectors on each floor and a fire blanket in the kitchen. The childminder has planned how to escape the building in an emergency. She has also planned how to keep the baby safe once she is more mobile by fitting stair gates to the kitchen door and at the top of the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings through appropriate measures. They are strapped securely into the pram or pushchair and the childminder plans to use wrist straps for older children. She carries emergency contact numbers and a mobile phone on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected appropriately by the childminder's knowledge of child protection issues. She has a sufficient understanding of the possible indicators of abuse including signs of neglect and changes in behaviour. She is aware of the need to refer her concerns although she is not sure which agency to approach first.

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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 benefit from high levels of adult support. The childminder sits on the floor to play and shows the baby how to put the ball in the hole. She encourages the baby to develop independent skills by showing her how to press the button on an electronic toy. She offers praise for achievements. When the baby successfully puts the ball in the hole the childminder tells her she is clever and that she will tell her mother later. Children's care is enhanced by constant interaction with the childminder. She responds to sounds the baby makes and echoes them back to her. She chats to the baby and cuddles her when she begins to grizzle. Children's individual needs are met well. The baby's normal sleep and feeding routines are continued by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from having easy access to an appropriate range of toys. For instance, resources such as play centres and electronic toys are set out on the floor so that the baby can choose what she wants to play with and reach it by herself. The childminder also has resources suitable for older children. She checks that all toys are safe and fit for purpose.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does not currently use the Birth to three matters framework as a source of guidance when caring for children under three.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about good behaviour. Although the childminder is only caring for a baby at present she is introducing the words 'please' and 'thank you'. She uses a light hearted tone of voice to let the baby know that grizzling is not desired behaviour. The childminder has a sufficient understanding of behaviour management techniques for older children such as setting clear ground rules and discussing their behaviour with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have sufficient opportunities to learn about wider society. They have access to books showing people with different coloured skin and to black dolls. The childminder plans to do activities to help children learn about other cultures when she cares for older children. Children's individual needs are met well. Because the childminder is only caring for one baby she is able to follow her usual feeding and sleeping routines. The childminder has a clear understanding of the issues surrounding the care of children with special needs. She would work closely with the parents, the local Special Needs Co-ordinator and any other agencies involved to ensure the child's needs were fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an appropriate working relationship between the parents and the childminder. They share information about the children though daily discussion. The childminder is in the process of introducing a daily record sheet showing what children have eaten and what activities they have done. Parents have not been asked to give written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 benefit from a spacious environment. The sitting room provides plenty of clear floor space for children to move around freely. Children also benefit from well organised resources. A selection of toys are set out on the floor so that young children can access them easily. Children's care is enhanced by high adult : child ratios. The childminder is currently only caring for one child and is, therefore, able to give high levels of adult support.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted through the keeping of most necessary records. For example, the attendance register is completed daily and records the times of arrival and departure. The childminder is aware of the need to have a written agreement with parents setting out the terms of the arrangement but these have not been fully completed. The childminder is unaware of the requirement to keep a record of complaints.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she 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): • ensure that written agreements with parents are fully completed • seek parental consent for emergency medical advice and treatment • further enhance care for younger children by using the Birth to three framework

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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 • develop understanding of the requirement to keep a record of complaints

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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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