Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY336380 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2006 Inspection date Janet Maria Moutter Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her partner and one child aged one in Oakhurst a district of Swindon, in Wiltshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day and one child before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children lead a very healthy lifestyle and thrive whilst in the childminder's care. They have frequent opportunities to play in the local play park and undertake a variety of outings, such as to soft play centres, to enable them to develop their physical skills.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children increase their understanding of excellent hygiene practices as part of the daily routine. They learn the need to wash their hands before eating and to use separate towels or wet wipes, to reduce the risk of cross contamination. There are a range of measures in place to support children's health. For example, written parental permission has been obtained to apply sun cream or to seek emergency treatment. They benefit from the childminder's good role modelling, her understanding of first aid and her awareness of the correct procedures if accidents occur.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children increase their awareness of healthy eating, through the good variety of fruit they are offered as snacks, during their time in the provision. The children have the advantage of eating a wide range of home cooked nutritious food, which is prepared with the children's growing bodies in mind, and so is therefore, packed with vitamins and minerals. Dietary needs or allergies are discussed with parents prior to a child commencing in the setting. Discussions are recorded and any needs accommodated. Children freely help themselves to water from individual beakers. As a result, children are developing their self-care skills and drinking fluids in sufficient quantities to meet their differing requirements.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and rest within premises that are clean and well maintained. Children are able to visit the toilet independently, which helps them to develop their self-care skills. There are a good range of measures in place to support children's safety and help prevent accidents. For example, hazardous materials in the kitchen are inaccessible to children, the premises are secure and smoke alarms are maintained in working order on all levels of the house. There is a written emergency evacuation procedure displayed, it has been practised. The childminder encourages the older minded child to take a healthy interest in safety by making the child the Fire Monitor. This means that the added responsibility encourages the child to take an active role in safety, both inside and outside the home, to the extent of learning procedures such as road crossing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children freely help themselves to a good range of clean, well-maintained resources, which are rotated to ensure they continue to stimulate the children. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of safety issues regarding the purchase and ongoing maintenance of equipment. Children play with age appropriate toys that are safe and suitable.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is supported by a childminder who has a secure understanding of child protection issues and the correct procedures to be followed if concerned about a child. There are effective arrangements for making parents aware of the childminder's child protection

p.3

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 responsibilities, prior to a child commencing in the setting. Children's well-being is actively promoted.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very relaxed and settled. They make decisions for themselves regarding the resources they wish to explore, which include; mopping the kitchen floor, doing an alphabet puzzle while sitting at the child height table and selecting stories to be read to by the childminder. The ability to make choices helps children to develop their independence and sense of belonging. The childminder constantly supports the children and keeps them consistently occupied. She knows the children well, understands their differing stages of development and provides stimulating and age-appropriate resources and activities in order to support their care and learning. However, the range of toys and activities for older children is limited.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a positive relationship with the friendly childminder. This good rapport helps children to quickly feel 'at home' and gain a sense of belonging within the provision. They undertake a variety of planned, weekly outings, such as to the library, carer and toddler group or local soft play area. Such age appropriate activities enable children to increase their understanding of the wider world.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated and acknowledged as individuals. They benefit from the childminder's good awareness of their differing needs and home circumstances. They access a suitable variety of toys including books, musical instruments, toys with sounds and small world characters to help them gain an awareness of diversity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They benefit from the childminder's good role modelling and her awareness of appropriate strategies for promoting children's positive behaviour. Children are learning to relate well towards each other and are developing their understanding of right and wrong.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's welfare is promoted by the positive relationship that exists between the parents and the childminder. Daily diaries are offered to parents as an aid to communication. In addition, there are regular informal opportunities for discussion about children's achievements or any care issues. This helps to support consistent approach to children's ongoing childcare. The childminder has shared the local child safety policy and procedures with the parents and she has made parents aware of Ofsted's contact details.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease within a play and care environment which is organised well. The childminder is sensitive to each child's individual needs such as to enable children to have uninterrupted sleep and resources are stored at children's height. These arrangements enable children to become settled, independent and confident in their routines.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder stores all legally required documentation securely and maintains them carefully. Personal information, for example, is easily accessible in the event of an emergency, thus supporting the children's care.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has undertaken the required training. She is currently developing her knowledge of caring for young children. However, she does not have written records to share with the parents about their child's experiences, progress and achievements. The childminder accesses courses to support her in providing a wide range of activities, which promote the progress and development of children under three years of age.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • extend the range of planned activities and experiences for the older children, appropriate for their stages of development and based on their individual needs

p.5

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 • implement written records to share with the parents about their child's experiences, progress and achievements

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6