Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY293326 Unique Reference Number 26 January 2007 Inspection date Jacqueline Allen 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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and six years in Crediton, Devon. She is registered to provide care for five children under eight years. She currently has seven children under eight years on roll who attend on a part-time basis. She also provides care for children over eight years. Childminding mainly takes place on the ground floor, with children having access to the upstairs bathroom and toilet facilities and the main bedroom for sleeping. There is an enclosed rear garden which is set out on three levels, however children only have access to the two nearest to the house for outside play.

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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's minor accidents are suitably treated and recorded by the childminder, who holds a valid first aid certificate. Children's health is effectively considered in an emergency situation as parental consents are obtained. However, children's medication needs are not clearly recorded. For example, it is not clear how many doses will be administered by the childminder, or when there is more than one medication, which one should be given and when. This compromises children's health. Children are learning about personal hygiene routines before eating and after using the toilet. However, as children are mainly using wet wipes, children are still at some risk of cross infection and the childminder does not always wear gloves when changing nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered drinks at regular intervals and are offered a choice of healthy snacks. Children's lunch boxes are prepared by parents and appropriately refrigerated to keep the contents at a safe temperature. Children are encouraged to eat healthier items, such as sandwiches, first.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have lots of opportunities to partake in physical activities. For example, children walk to the local school twice a day, attend a physical activity session for pre-schoolers, play on ride-on toys in the garden and participate in music and dancing activities indoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe, welcoming, child friendly environment where they have adequate space to partake in a range of activities both indoors and outside. Children can easily reach good quality resources which are boxed safely on the floor or they pull open storage units to access particular toys of interest, for example, children enjoy selecting a doll to put into a pushchair. Children's safety is well considered with appropriate actions taken to reduce potential risks to children both indoors and when outside. For example, all electrical sockets are covered, dangerous substances are inaccessible to children and the childminder shows good knowledge of the new car seat regulations which apply when transporting children. Equipment is used effectively to keep children safe, such as stair gates to prevent children accessing the front door, which is kept locked with the key out of children's reach at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has good knowledge of the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and has lots of written information available to refer to if she had concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play well together and are forming good relationships with each other and the childminder. They enjoy accessing resources independently and using them with imagination. For example, children play with a large empty tube which they say is really a space rocket. Their

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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 play is well supported by the childminder who uses open-ended questions to encourage children to think and offers additional resources to extend their play. For example, children who put down a cushion on the floor to lie on are offered a blanket to develop their role play further. Children's every movement is noticed and responded to automatically. For example, the childminder puts out her hand to steady them as needed as they pass her. Children who stop playing or who look a bit tired are offered a cuddle as it meets their individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's efforts are praised continuously and stickers are used at the end of the day to reward children who are potty training. Children choose books to look at independently and are encouraged in this activity by the childminder offering to take them to the library to choose some more. Children's language is supported and extended by the childminder's good interaction with children who are very settled in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well understood and met. They are respected as individuals and are developing an awareness of diversity within our society through accessing a good range of resources which reflect other cultures and disabilities. For example, children access books, games from around the world, dolls, people and videos. Children with learning difficulties are appropriately supported through good communication with parents and other professionals. The childminder has accessed training in this area to improve her knowledge.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well and are constantly encouraged to share. The childminder uses effective distraction and engagement techniques to divert children's attention away from undesired behaviour. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement to promote good behaviour which improves their self-esteem. Children's daily routines are shared informally with parents. However, the childminder shares all her written policies and procedures formally with parents to ensure they are fully informed about the service she provides for them and their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to improving her provision. For example, she has completed additional training in food hygiene, health and safety, multi-cultural awareness and is starting a Diploma in Home-based Childcare. She has a very positive approach to the aspects of recording and hygiene raised and is already thinking of ways of improving these immediately.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of her registration conditions and records children's attendance to show a clear overview on a daily basis. Paperwork is well organised and children's records are appropriately stored in a lockable filing cabinet.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection, one recommendation was raised relating to Standard 6 – Safety. The childminder has considered her emergency evacuation procedure and practises this and records the details which improves children's safety.

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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 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 children’s medication needs are clearly recorded and improve procedures for reducing cross infection in relation to hand washing and nappy changing.

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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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