Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336135 Unique Reference Number 06 December 2006 Inspection date Miriam Sheila Brown 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 2006. She lives with her partner and their two children aged 18 months and four years, in a three-bedroom house in the Up Hatherley area of Cheltenham. The whole of the property is available for childminding and the ground floor is used as the main play area. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outside play. Shops and local amenities are within walking distance.

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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 currently has one child on roll who is cared for at varying times throughout the week. During the week children visit a nearby parent and toddler group, the local library and park. The childminder holds a level 3 early years qualification and 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 learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised routines. They wipe or wash their hands before meals and are encouraged to do this themselves. The childminder provides a good role model for them as they watch her wiping the table prior to eating and washing her hands regularly. Nappy changing routines are well organised to offer children privacy and to reduce the risk of infection to them. The childminder has completed a first aid course and regularly checks her first aid box to ensure it is adequately stocked to deal with any emergency. A clear sickness policy is discussed with parents at the start of an arrangement which also assists in keeping children healthy and free from cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children sit at the table for meals and snacks and are encouraged in their social skills, for example, saying 'please' and 'thank you' for things offered. Children's awareness of healthy eating is restricted however, because the childminder offers snacks of either sweet biscuits or raisins. Parents provide children's main meals. Drinks are available throughout the day and specific dietary requirements are listed on children's detail sheets, helping to ensure that individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activity which helps to contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Each day they enjoy walks to and from the local toddler group, and if the weather is suitable they play in the back garden with a range of outdoor resources such as wheeled toys and a small trampoline. Inside they have time each day to play with a tunnel and a play tent, developing their large muscle control by crawling and balancing.

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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 clean and well maintained environment where they learn about taking care of their toys and play spaces by assisting in tidying away toys at varying times throughout the day and taking their shoes off when they arrive. Children play in the ground floor rooms where they have good access to a range of toys and resources. These include construction toys, books, jigsaws and art and craft equipment. The rear garden provides them with a safe, enclosed area for outside play. Toys and equipment are suitable for the ages of children cared for and the childminder rotates their use throughout the day to ensure children enjoy a wide variety of experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe because the childminder employs a good range of safety measures within the home. For example, stairgates are placed at risk areas such as the top and bottom of the stairs, all dangerous substances are secure and socket covers are in place. The childminder has a written emergency evacuation procedure which is shared with parents and practised with children, helping to ensure their safety in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Discussion with the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She is clear about the procedures to use should she have concerns about a child

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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 in her care. This, together with other safety measures, assists in children's welfare being effectively maintained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and enjoy their time with her. They understand the daily routines, for example, that books are put away before other toys are used and that at snack and meal times they sit at the table. The childminder provides a wide and varied range of activities to support children's all round development. For example, children play with jigsaws to help develop hand and eye coordination and art and craft activities assist in developing imagination and an awareness of texture and form. Children very much enjoy playing with the childminder using 'flash' cards and proudly name the animal or object shown. Throughout all activities the childminder instinctively includes references to colour, animal names, and numbers. She mirrors their early language to help them pronounce words correctly and asks them appropriate questions to develop their thinking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's days are well planned to provide them with good play opportunities to support their all round development. For example, some sort of art and craft work is enjoyed each day, together with physical and imaginative play and quieter times to rest or sleep, depending on individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals and the childminder knows and understands each of their particular needs very well. She makes good use of books and discussions to encourage children's awareness of the wider world, for example, explaining why buses have a pavement height entrance to assist people who have mobility difficulties, when this was noticed by one child. However, children have few play resources to assist them in developing positive attitudes to others and helping them to gain an understanding about the wider world. The childminder demonstrates through discussion a good understanding of caring for children with special needs and has some experience in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are beginning to understand right from wrong through the childminder's consistent and gentle reminders to share and be kind to each other. This is effectively supported by frequent and meaningful praise. The childminder makes good use of reward programmes such as individual star charts to help children achieve specific goals, for example, toilet training.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership with parents. The childminder speaks with them each day and provides clear written information about activities and routines, helping them to take an active part in their children's care and learning. She also provides them with a delightfully presented brochure which gives information about her own family and the care provided for minded children. Contracts, children's detail sheets and permission slips assist in ensuring that parents are well informed about all aspects of the care provided.

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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 good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She organises her time well to provide a balance of activities throughout the week that support and enhance children's development. All those connected with the registration are in receipt of appropriate clearance and children are effectively supervised and their safety maintained throughout the day. The childminder has wide experience of child care from her work in the private sector and has completed National Vocational Qualifications, in early years care and education, at levels 2 and 3. This, together with her planning and childminding documentation, enhances the care, learning and play for children. All required documentation is in place and the registration certificate displayed.

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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. 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): • increase children's opportunities to make healthy choices at snack times • ensure children have access to a range of activities which support and develop their growing awareness of the wider world and different lifestyles, cultures and traditions.

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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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