Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282391 Unique Reference Number 15 December 2006 Inspection date Timothy Butcher 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and four in Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset. The whole of the property is used for childminding except for the front first floor bedrooms. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding two children before and after school on a part-time basis. The childminder has use of a car to take and collect children from school. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park.

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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 are helped to keep healthy because the childminder has spoken with parents about children's individual health needs. The childminder has suitable procedures in place to record any accidents, should they occur and has an appropriate procedure to record medication given to children should parents request her to do so. Children are protected from the spread of infection, for example, through the sensible hand washing procedures that are encouraged by the childminder. Each child has their own individual flannel. Children are encouraged to develop self-care skills with appropriate support from the childminder. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She has the required documentation in place to help promote children's health, for example, a sick child policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are suitably met. The childminder provides some healthy options for children. Dietary needs are discussed with parents. Children are offered choice, such as fruit options at snack time. Their preferences are respected. A child opts for cheese on toast for tea, when asked. Children have regular drinks through out the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for exercise and active play. The childminder ensures that on at least one evening a week children go to the park, 'wacky warehouse' or the beach. In the school holidays there are extended trips out when the weather permits. Children have fun and spontaneously use the floor space in the lounge to practise large muscle control and coordination of movement by showing how to forward roll.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept reasonably safe because the childminder has a clear understanding of potential hazards to children and takes appropriate action to make the home safe. Electric socket covers are in place. Low-level glass panels have been fitted with protective film. Child-proof locks are fitted to kitchen cupboards and drawers. The premises are secure and an appropriate means of transfer of children from the car is carried out. A fire blanket is fitted in the kitchen and smoke detection equipment is fitted to each floor. However, children's safety is potentially undermined by a garden chemical stored in the ground floor toilet and a container of chemical stored in the garden. Stair gates are available to prevent younger children straying into restricted areas. However, rooms that are not covered by registration have not been made inaccessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a homely environment that is made welcoming to children. Examples of children's work are displayed in the kitchen. A satisfactory range of toys is made accessible to meet the needs of the children currently minded. Children move freely between rooms. They sit in comfort to undertake creative activities like drawing and painting at the dining table in the kitchen diner, where supervision is made easy.

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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 Children have their welfare safeguarded. The childminder has an adequate understanding of child protection procedures and has a clear awareness of her responsibilities in regard to the protection of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a relaxed and warm relationship with the childminder. They are helped to settle and to feel secure as the childminder provides plenty of cuddles and physical contact. Their physical needs are well met, for example, a child was offered extra clothes to borrow as the late afternoon had turned cold and party costumes had been worn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a sufficient range of activities and play opportunities to make satisfactory progress in all areas of development. The childminder is currently looking after children before and after school and during the school holidays. The activities usually follow a routine so that children know what to expect on each day of the week. Children who attend after school are suitably engaged in games, puzzles and pretend play. They are occupied and remain interested in a satisfactory range of activities. Children have opportunities to be creative through the use of some painting and crayoning materials. They have the opportunity to rest or be active as they choose.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly enjoy the opportunity to cook. For example, they enthusiastically knead and roll out the dough mix for 'red hot and pink mince pies' and enjoy the different textures. They carefully use cutters to stamp out the base and spoon in the filling. Whilst the mince pies cook, children crayon and draw, using a variety of materials. When the pies have cooked children are able to proudly take them home. Children use their imaginations through the use of a few dressing up materials. Children appear happy, are settled and are largely content. They enjoy their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the sound partnership with parents. They have their individual needs satisfactorily met because the induction procedure and other processes, ensure that information is shared. Information about the child's day is shared verbally and time is set aside for discussion with parents at the end of the day. Parents report positively about the regular trips out for children and on the comfortable relationship that children have with the childminder. Although a system for the recording of complaints is in place, the provider's understanding of the procedure is weak and the procedure is not made clear enough to parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are suitably encouraged to get on well with each other and to share. They are encouraged to be polite, for example, to say 'please and thank you'. The childminder relies on a small number of simple strategies that she uses to promote children's positive behaviour, for example, the use of explanation. The childminder describes providing positive attention to children to support and guide them. Children respond well towards her and are generally

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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 cooperative. Strategies for managing children's behaviour are discussed and agreed with parents during the induction process.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has yet to care for a minded child with additional needs but has a suitable procedure in place to identify with parents how best to meet the care needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about diversity through everyday play. The childminder has a basic understanding of equality of opportunities issues and now has some resources to support her in her practice. She provides a few multi-cultural toys that have some positive images of diversity. The childminder also answers children's questions to promote their awareness of diversity. Book resources show positive images of disability, race and culture, although few in number. As a result children's experiences of diversity when with the childminder are satisfactory although not extensive.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time, resources, and space sufficiently well to meet the individual needs of children. Children experience a balanced range of play opportunities, in a welcoming environment. They appear to be happy, settled and to be making sound progress.

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Organisation

The childminder has the majority of the required documentation in place and children's care and well-being is promoted as a result. Suitable records, policies and procedures are held that promote the welfare of children and support the safe management of the provision. Initial information is readily shared with parents and subsequent processes mean they are consulted and kept informed. This contributes to the continuity of care for children. Children's records and the contracts with parents' are consistently recorded. The attendance record is accurate and up to date. However, the procedure to be followed should a complaint be made, is unclear.

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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 three recommendations were made to improve the quality of care. It was agreed that parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment for children would be sought. It was agreed that the range of activities and resources to promote equality of opportunity would be developed further and that the organisation of other resources would also be reviewed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the provider has reviewed her procedures. The childminder now routinely obtains and records permission from parents for the emergency medical treatment of children. As a result children are better protected should they have an accident and parents are more able to give their informed consent.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider has increased her resources that reflect diversity and they now include such things as a school house with small world figures, some dolls and some books. As a result children's experiences of diversity when with the childminder are satisfactory although not extensive.

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Improvements 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 The provider has re-organised her resources and they are now stored according to the age group to which they relate. These are stored in specific areas for, example, toys suitable for young children are stored in the hallway and accessible to them. Boxed board games and puzzles for school-aged children are stored in a cupboard and are made available on request and are made inaccessible to younger children.

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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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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 stored chemicals do not pose a hazard to children and that areas that do not form part of the registered premises are made inaccessible to children • further develop the procedure and record of complaint and make it available to parents

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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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