Thompson, Sandra

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299010 Inspection date 12 May 2005 Inspector Paula Hunt

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2004. She works jointly with her sister to operate a flexible childminding service. She lives with her partner and daughter in a three bedroom semi-detached house in the Woodloes Park area of Warwick. There are shops, schools and a park all within easy walking distance. All areas of the house are used for childminding with the exception of the master bedroom. There is a secure garden available for outside play. The family has a rabbit and two guinea pigs which live outdoors.

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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 The childminder is currently completing an NVQ 3 in childcare qualification. She attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for five children at any one time individually or four children when working jointly with another childminder. She is currently minding seven children, six of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to kelp them develop motor skills, for example as they ride wheeled toys. Children also enjoy regular visits to the local park, carer and toddler group and to feed the ducks .Children benefit from flexible daily routines and are able to eat, sleep and play according to their needs and the wishes of parents. They stay healthy because the childminder takes suitable steps to prevent the spread of infection and children learn the importance of good hygiene washing hands after the toilet, before meals and after touching pets. Adequate records are kept of any medication administered to children and any accidents that occur although consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not currently sought from parents. The childminder has not yet completed a first aid course and although a first aid box

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Helping children to be healthy

is easily accessible the contents are limited. Children are provided with regular drinks and snacks. Children's individual dietary needs are noted, and taken into account. Currently most parents provide food for mealtimes. This food is appropriately stored until required. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet as the childminder discusses with older children why eating fruit for snack is a healthier option than biscuits.

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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 warm & homely environment where they feel secure and confident. Children independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and equipment provided for them daily. The childminder supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are able to move around safely, freely and independently as the childminder has identified and minimised potential hazards in her home and garden. Children are made well aware of safety issues through clear explanations and the application of simple rules and boundaries, for example to hold the childminder's hand and not to run as they may injure themselves or others. The protection of children is priority. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures, which are necessary to

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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 protect the welfare of children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled, happy and secure in their environment. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They have good relationships with both the childminder and each other. They share, take turns and play independently and alongside others. Children's development is encouraged and promoted by the good level of support and interaction received from the childminder. Children enjoy a good variety of activities including messy/creative, imaginative and physical play. Children are given frequent opportunities to socialise with other children through attendance at local toddler groups. Babies are encouraged to communicate and explore their environment, although the childminder is not aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework she adapts activities such as singing, storytelling and mark making to promote younger children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for from different cultural backgrounds and the childminder has sought a vocabulary list from parents to enable good support to be given. Children are valued, respected as individuals and have equal access to a good range of resources and activities that help them to appreciate the wider world. For example books, dolls and puzzles representative of different cultures and abilities within society. The childminder borrows further resources from the local toy library. The childminder meets the needs children's needs well; they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents to ensure continuity of care. Children make themselves at home , confidently deciding where they want to play and what they want to play with. They play happily, are learning to play together and show care and concern for each other. They respond positively to the childminder who ensures that

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour is managed with the use of praise, explanation and distraction. Children are generally well behaved. The childminder talks to parents on a daily basis to ensure children benefit from a two way sharing of information. Parents are given the opportunity to gradually settle their child into the childminder's home and are regularly consulted with regards to their children's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is working towards an early years qualification and ensures ratios are met and maintained to allow children to receive individual attention and to offer

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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 flexibility of care to suit parent's needs. Children feel at ease in a warm and homely environment. Regular visits outside the home contribute to children's learning and enjoyment of the local environment. The childminder has a good knowledge of younger children but has a limited awareness of the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework. She intends to remedy this by seeking information from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. Most paperwork is in place and suitably maintained to ensure that children are well cared for and in accordance with parent's wishes. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children cared for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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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): • ensure a recognised first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children is completed; and the first aid box is adequately stocked, contents checked frequently and replaced as necessary. • request written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment in the future for each child

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website:

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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 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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