Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY173138 Unique Reference Number 29 November 2006 Inspection date Karyn Yarnold 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children one is adult age the other of school age, another daughter lives away from home. They live in a detached house in St Austell, Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding together with the front spare bedroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden and front garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at anyone time and presently cares for three children. The childminder has use of the family car and is able to drop off and collect children from the local school. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is working towards an Early Years National Vocational Qualification at level three. The family have a dog and two cats.

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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 outstanding. Children are cared for in a very warm, friendly, home from home, relaxing home. Outstanding hygiene routines are in place to ensure that children learn about personal hygiene. For example, children know to wash their hands after going to the toilet and are provided with anti-bacterial soap to do this. Routine cleaning procedures which include wiping down kitchen sides and ensuring bathroom surfaces are clean prior to children attending. Cleaning routines are extended to the whole of the house, which is immaculate. Younger children, who occasionally use bottles, benefit from the childminder ensuring that these are sterilised. Toys and equipment are regularly cleaned. These measures help to prevent the spread of infection. Children are cared for appropriately in the case of accidents as the childminder keeps her first aid training up-to-date. A fully stocked first aid box is kept, ready for use in the case of an emergency. An additional

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a very good range of activities, which contributes to their good health, and develops their physical skills. They regularly play in the front and rear garden, walk to the local park and around local shops, receiving lots of fresh air. They develop their larger muscles when participating in sports days. The childminder helps reduce the risk to children's health and safety, by ensuring that family pets are kept up-to-date with their inoculations, are exercised and not able to roam around the house when children are present.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are constantly provided with snacks and drinks during their stay with the childminder. For example, children are offered grapes and chopped apple, yoghurts and baby rusks. They receive lunches and meals of their preference that include toast, spaghetti, roasts, sandwiches with various fillings and sausage rolls. Children are offered orange squash, low calorie lemonade, milk and water to drink. This sustains their hunger and stops them becoming thirsty while with the childminder. Children further benefit from good food handling procedures as the childminder has completed a self assessment programme that the local authority has approved and has judged her practice to be a low risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to the whole of the childminder ground floor and a spare bedroom to use a computer. The childminders home is extremely well organised and allows children to move around freely and independently. Toileting facilities are immaculate and good nappy changing facilities are in place. Children benefit from the use of the rear and front garden which are free of hazards. Children are safe from harm as the childminder is aware of the need to protect children. For example, safety measures around the house include a stair gate at the bottom of the stairs, sockets are covered, dangerous products are stored away from children in a cupboard which is secured with child cupboard locks. The childminder has devised an opening and closing safety policy and she regularly conducts risk assessments. Children learn about road safety when out walking and younger children wear wrist straps for further safety. A clear emergency

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

evacuation procedure is displayed on the childminder's kitchen wall, and children know what

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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 to do when smoke detectors sound. For example, they run to collect the telephone, collect a fireman figure and head for the front door. Regular practice of this procedure promotes children's awareness of emergency situations. However, at the time of the inspection the smoke detection equipment on the first floor and the fire blanket was not secured suitably. This compromises children's safety. Relevant documentation is kept, such as, MOT and suitable car and public liability insurance is maintained. Parents give appropriate permission for children to be transported in the childminders car. These measures go towards keeping children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a vast range of toys that are in excellent condition, of good quality, clean, varied and within easy reach to enable children to self select. This allows children to experience different play situations. For example, children have access to an exceptional selection that includes, small world farms and zoo animals, age related puzzles and board games, role play materials, dolls, pretend cooking station, till, musical instruments, soft skittles, construction toys, play computers with a keyboard and mouse, shape sorters. The extensive range is beautifully displayed around the childminders home and is inviting to children and enables them to exercise choice. Children are offered a wealth of books that include information books, story books educational and books that reflect other religions and children with disabilities. The childminder promotes children's interest in looking at books by arranging them on her

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

lounge floor front facing. Other equipment used to develop children's independence, such as, sink steps, toilet seats and potties, are in good condition and cleaned regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. Her knowledge of signs and symptoms of possible abuse ensures that children are protected from harm. She also has a good understanding of action to take should an allegation of abuse be made against her. Relevant reference materials support her in her undertaking regarding reporting and referral responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well in the childminder's care. They are content, familiar with routines, the layout of the childminders home and are confident to undertake activities by themselves. This promotes their self esteem. They benefit from the childminders commitment to them, which include working towards a recognisable Early Years qualification. Children are offered a good range of activities to develop their language, mathematical thinking, imagination and social relationships. For example, children are able to look at books, hold them correctly and learn that print has meaning. They talk about their families when discussing journeys abroad, and chatter during pretend play with dolls and plastic telephones. They learn about other countries around the world when engaging in an interactive world map. They learn about the cooking process when baking and decorating fairy cakes and decorating trifle. Their natural curiosity

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

is developed when collecting leaves, planting sunflowers seeds and picking daisies. They visit local child orientated activity centres where they can socialise with other children. Good role play materials that include a selection of hats, dressing up clothes, shoes, pretend food and dolls enables children to use their imagination. Children's creative interests are supported by the childminder offering them drawing, mark making and painting activities as well as making models from recyclable household waste. The childminder uses painting activities to introduce

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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 to different colours by, for example, asking minded children to tell her what colours they would like and reinforcing, red, blue, green and yellow. Children are able to learn about letters and numbers when playing with a small wooden abacus which also has alphabet letters. They learn about their local community by visiting local shops. They learn about the wider community when going on outings to the beach and local library.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are able to complete homework tasks, such as, reading to the childminder and practising their pencil control. They can also access computer learning software. Children enjoy manipulating play dough and are able to develop their fine motor skills and scissor control as the childminder provides scissors and old celebration cards for children to cut up. Children thrive on the childminder's interaction when playing with toys or during creative activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are supported well by the childminder as she liaises closely with parents to gather as much information as possible. She meets regularly with parents to discuss children's progress and is invited to school plays that minded children are involved in. This promotes a good rapport between parents, children and the childminder. She knows the children well and has effective procedures in place to help them settle. Suitable communication with parents, such as, diaries for babies, and verbal exchange daily on children's daily activities, supports the childminder in providing continuity of care. Children's self esteem is promoted as the childminder enables them to take art work home for their families to display. Children become involved in household activities that include helping wash dishes, sorting washing out, dusting and pushing the hoover around. This introduces children to domestic tasks and teaches

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Helping children make a positive contribution

them about caring for others. A suitable selection of positive images in available books and toys, allows children to learn about others. For example, story books include images of children in wheelchairs who play alongside others. The childminder has a selection of dolls from other countries including Scotland, Spain, and she incorporates other cultural festivals in her planning such as Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has high expectations of behaviour and children are aware of house rules, such as, not jumping on furniture. They are encouraged to share and learn about manners by being asked to use the magical word 'please' when making a request, and reminded to say 'thank you' after being given a toy or snack. Time out is used effectively and children are given explanations on why unwanted behaviour is not accepted. They are encouraged to say sorry, and are given lots of praise when for example they use the toilet independently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's continuity of care is promoted well through the good relationships the childminder develops with parents. The regular exchange of information ensures that children's individual needs are understood and met. For example, the childminder respects parent’s requests to progress from nappies to toileting independently and by providing meals and snacks that children will eat.

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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. Children benefit from a highly organised environment that is child friendly. For example, different rooms within the childminder's home are used for different activities. The kitchen is used for baking, and washing dishes. A small utility room is used for messy play activities, such as, painting and the lounge is used for children to self select toys and resources to play with. Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder keeps all necessary documentation and records to meet National Standards. However, at the time of the inspection the permission records that parents sign includes an agreement to allow the childminder to administer first aid, but it does not include permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Confidentiality is maintained by the childminder ensuring that records are stored safely.

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Organisation

Clear and concise records are kept to record children's attendance and the childminder is aware of her responsibilities to notify Ofsted of any significant events, such as a serious accident or change in circumstances. She knows to arrange for her own children to complete suitable checks once they reach the age of 16 years. Children benefit from the ongoing training that the childminder undertakes on a regular basis, such as, health and safety training and food hygiene. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to obtain written permission from parents regarding seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder immediately devised consent forms, however, these only recorded permission for her to administer medication and first aid.

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Improvements since the last inspection

By rewording present consent forms children's welfare will be supported.

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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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Complaints 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

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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 the fire blanket and smoke detection equipment is secured appropiately • ensure consent forms include written parental permission for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.

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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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