Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY250496 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2006 Inspection date Sally Hall 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 2003. She has a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Childcare and has completed various courses to support her role as a childminder. She lives with her daughter in a semi-detached home situated in a residential area on the outskirts of Torquay. Children play downstairs and they have use of an enclosed garden. The childminder is currently minding nine children, the times they are minded vary during the week and she can offer overnight care. They have one rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and hygiene is promoted very well through following the childminder's good procedures and policies which are shared with parents. Children learn about the importance of

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 washing hands and the childminder encourages their independence. Children have separate flannels and are encouraged to clean their teeth after meals. Very good hygiene procedures are followed to ensure all the toys are kept clean particularly with younger children's toys and equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are known and recorded. Healthy eating is encouraged with the children. The childminder provides healthy snacks and light tea for children after school. Children bring packed lunches and are encouraged to have plenty of fluids during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunities for physical exercise. They have use of a secure garden with equipment to use and have regular visits to the park, and local amenities including the Zoo and Decoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a very child friendly environment enabling them to be secure and happy as they play. They are confident to express themselves and move freely within the home. They are kept safe due to the childminder being vigilant and supervising them well at all times particularly whilst work is being carried out in the home and the garden. Regular risk assessments and fire drills are carried out and recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a wide range of resources to use which are in good condition. Resources are displayed to provide easy access for children and rotated to provide variety. Children learn to be careful when playing with younger children. The walls have displays of photographs and posters which children point to and discuss with the childminder. In the kitchen there is a display of the Birth to three matters framework for parents to see and is followed by the childminder to make sure each child's learning and development needs are met with appropriate resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected by the childminder's very good knowledge of child protection. She has completed training and has information to refer to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, confident and settled. They relate well to each other and the childminder. They are keen to express themselves. The childminder takes an active role in their play as well as giving them time to use their imagination. Younger children are introduced to new activities and Treasure Boxes. There is a good range of simple technology toys and the use of craft materials is encouraged. Children cook and make play dough and learn about nature. A table is set up with natural materials including shells and brazil nuts which the children look at and feel and discuss with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children listen and dance to music and have a very good range of musical instruments from around the world to use. They engage well in role-play and offer cups of tea. Children are keen to show their work and enjoy having their photograph taken as they play. For example, when they are dressing up.

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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 Children's development is supported by the training the childminder has completed and her knowledge and use of the Birth to three matters framework. Older children have free choice of what they would like to do. They have plenty of craft materials to select and a wide range of games. They also participate in activities to include all the children. For example, through the holidays they made a large picture on material of the sea, using paints and items from the beach they had collected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are thoughtful and caring to each other. They relate well to the childminder who provides consistent care for the children and ensures individual daily routines, including play and rest periods, are followed. The childminder presents as a good role model to the children and ensures they receive equal attention and their individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their local community and have weekly visits to local groups giving them the opportunity to interact with other children. They learn about diversity due to the childminder's good understanding and the very good resources used to raise children's awareness. Including a wide range of posters reflecting pictures from around the world which are displayed and a good range of books that children select and use with care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has completed training to support children with special educational needs and has a sensitive understanding of inclusion and ensuring individual needs are met. Continuing to increase her knowledge of caring for children with special educational needs will ensure she is confident in meeting the needs of children in all areas. Children behave well they learn to share and value the toys. They listen well and are familiar with the boundaries in the home. The childminder is consistent with the children and encourages them to be kind and reminds them of good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's parents value the service the childminder provides and have written letters to support this. They are kept very well informed on a daily basis through the use of a daily diary which parents also provide information for the childminder. This ensures good consistency of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very secure and happy. Their individual needs are known and met well by the childminder. She organises her day well for the children and is very committed to providing good care. She has completed various courses and is committed to on-going training to extend her knowledge and has information to refer to, which support the activities and play opportunities she provides.

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Organisation

Children's documentation is well-recorded, regularly reviewed and there is informative information including policies for parents. The daily diaries for younger children are recorded in detail and include photographs for parents. The childminder is vigilant in maintaining documentation confidentially and each child has their own folder.

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Organisation

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 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 two recommendations were made. To ensure the emergency evacuation plan is practised and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Both of these have been completed and ensure the safety of children in the event of an emergency within the home and consent is in place should they need medical attention.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection one concern has been received in June 2005 that the childminder was working in a crèche whilst minding and the minded child was scratched while at the crèche and the incident was not signed for. This related to National Standard 6 Safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Information was requested from the childminder and it is understood that the incident report was signed by the childminder and the parent. The childminder no longer works at the crèche and remains suitable for registration.

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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 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 to increase knowledge on supporting children with special education needs

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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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