Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY256419 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2006 Inspection date Kelly Eyre 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 2003. She lives and works with her daughter who is also a registered childminder, and her five other children who are aged 18, 13, 11, 10 and eight years. The family live in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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, when working alongside her daughter, is currently minding 12 children under five during the day on a part-time basis, and four children over five before and after school on a part-time basis. Care is also provided for children over the age of eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two dogs as pets.

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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 cared for in a comfortable, clean home. Their health is promoted as there are effective daily hygiene procedures, such as washing hands before meals and after messy play. There is a written policy regarding the exclusion of children who are unwell, further minimising the spread of infection. The children's dietary needs are met as the childminder discusses individual requirements with parents and keeps a record of these, ensuring that any special diets are observed. Children are well nourished and are offered a good range of snacks and meals which include fresh fruit, breadsticks, cereals, yoghurts and dried fruit, helping to promote their growth and development. Children's health is further promoted because there are clear records of their health requirements. However, their immediate health in an emergency situation is affected as there is no written parental permission for emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of physical activities which contribute to the promotion of their good health and physical development. They are offered opportunities for outdoor exercise, such as walks to school and visiting the nearby playing field and local parks. They also enjoy playing in the garden, making use of a range of toys and equipment such as the climbing frame, trampoline, balls, hoops and ride-on toys, enabling them to develop control of their bodies and improve their skills in these areas. Younger children's development is promoted because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child development, providing appropriate support and equipment to promote individual stages of development. For example, a young baby is offered opportunities to practise standing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment where their work is displayed and they are able to access toys and resources. Their daily safety is prioritised and is effectively promoted because the childminder has a sound understanding of risks and takes steps to minimise these. For example, all areas of the home are informally checked before children arrive. However, children's safety in the garden is affected because they are able to access a loose fence panel leaning against the fence. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks with them about issues such as road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to select activities from a wide range of toys and equipment. These are arranged in easily accessible storage containers and shelves so that children can see what is available and make choices about their play. Toys and equipment are checked regularly to ensure that they are clean, safe and appropriate for the children to use. Children's comfort and safety is further promoted because much of the equipment has been sourced from a reputable supplier of nursery equipment. Children's welfare is well promoted as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection and has attended additional training. She is therefore able to identify and report any concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure because the childminder is experienced and has a confident approach to her work, passing this on to the children and creating a secure, relaxed environment. They are enthusiastic and interested in their play, and show confidence in their choice of activities and movement around the home, for example, a young child looks through a book with the childminder and then goes through to the play room to choose cars, exploring these and then bringing them through to show the childminder. Children relate well to the childminder who demonstrates her enjoyment of their company, talking with them and joining in with their play. They are offered many opportunities to develop their imagination due to the childminder's skill in encouraging them to expand their own ideas and activities. For example, older children explore the wide range of resources and use these to organise 'plays and fashions shows' which

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they put on for the younger children and the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities that cover all areas of development. These are planned in advance and follow themes which are changed monthly, enabling children to learn about a range of topics through their daily play. Themes have included 'insects', 'sea life', 'Autumn', 'weather' and 'transport'. Children's play opportunities and activities are enhanced because the childminder has a very good knowledge of child development, using this to inform her daily work and the planning of activities so that they are appropriate for each child and promote their current stages of development. For example, threading games have been introduced for younger children whilst older children's development is promoted through the provision of a range of 'educational games' such as 'the shopping list game'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is further promoted because the childminder plays alongside them, making good use of everyday learning opportunities. For example, the childminder sits with the children whilst they explore magnetic shapes, giving them time to explore these resources and then encouraging them to name the shapes and colours and work out which ends of the magnets attract and oppose each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel valued and comfortable because the childminder ensures that she is aware of their individual needs and is able to meet these consistently. She ensures that she is aware of any issues which affect children and adjusts her practice in order to accommodate any additional needs. Children's behaviour is good and they are confident within the childminder's home. They are set consistent boundaries by the childminder, who concentrates on positive aspects of behaviour and encourages children to start to take responsibility for this. The childminder is experienced and has a good practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children who have special needs, working closely with parents to ensure that children's needs are recognised and met. All children are included in the daily routine and planned activities and have free access to a wide assortment of toys and play resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are offered a range of opportunities to learn about society and the wider world. They have regular access to a variety of play resources which give positive images and information

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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 about other cultures and ways of life. These include puzzles, play figures, dressing-up clothes, books and dolls. Their understanding of their community is promoted through the use of local amenities such as parks, walks and shops. Children's needs are well documented and they benefit from the childminder's good relationships with parents. She discusses all aspects of her practice with parents and demonstrates a good understanding of their needs and feelings, providing appropriate support whenever needed and maintaining professional relationships. Parents are kept well informed of their children's progress and activities through regular discussions and the production of scrap books for each younger child, containing examples of their work and records of their progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, children's needs are met. The childminder organises her work efficiently, enabling children to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home, assured that their needs will be consistently met. They are able to initiate their own play as toys and resources are clearly organised and accessible. The individual requirements and details of the children are documented and the childminder ensures that she has all relevant information to enable her to meet their needs consistently. However, their ongoing safety is affected because Ofsted was not informed of changes to the accommodation and garden and was not therefore able to check that these are suitable for children to use.

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Organisation

Children's overall development is promoted because the childminder pays attention to the organisation of her daily work, ensuring that children are offered a range of activities and play opportunities. They are offered appropriate support whenever needed because the childminder organises her work and time well so that she is available when needed. Children's safety and welfare are promoted by the childminder's clear planning and organisation. There are written policies and procedures covering most areas of work and these are available to parents so that they are well-informed of the childminder's practice and procedures and can ensure that consistent care is provided for their children. However, children's welfare and safety is compromised because the childminder and her co-childminder failed to maintain the correct adult:child ratio for a short period of time during this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder was asked to make sure that low-level glass panels are safe or inaccessible to children. These have now been covered with safety film, improving children's safety. She was also asked to provide evidence of public liability insurance. This has been verified and insurance certificates are available for previous years, demonstrating that children's safety is further promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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 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 that there is written parental permission for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment • improve children's safety by ensuring that they are not able to access hazardous items in the rear garden. This refers to the loose fence panel • ensure that the correct adult:child ratios are maintained at all times, as stated on the certificate of registration • ensure that Ofsted is informed of any changes.

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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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