Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY263894 Unique Reference Number 15 February 2007 Inspection date Deborah Jane Starr 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 with her teenage daughter in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset. The whole of the ground floor of the flat is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently caring for seven children; all of whom are under eight years. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and collects from local nurseries, schools and pre-schools. She takes children to local parks, shops, beach and places of interest.

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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 health is promoted. Children follow established good hygiene routines. For example, children wash their hands after use of the toilet, after messy play and before meals. Policies such as the exclusion of children when unwell, the use of individual hand towels and health care checks for the family dog prevents the spread of illness and risk of infection. The dog has close contact with the children; lying on and picking up children's toys. Accidents and the administering of medication are managed appropriately. The childminder does not hold a valid first aid certificate. However, she has adequate knowledge through past training and children are not at risk of accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of activities that contribute to their physical health and development. Regular use of play equipment in the garden and local park and occasional trips to a local soft play area provide opportunities for children to develop control and co-ordination of their bodies. Regular walks to the post box give children fresh air. Children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and taken account of. A range of sandwiches at lunch time, such as, ham, tuna or cheese accompanied by fruit and a few crisps, promotes children's awareness of a balanced diet. Some parents provide their own child's food. Drinks are accessible at all times. Children drink squash, milk and occasionally water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is adequately promoted. Hazards are minimised, however appropriate action is not taken at all times to minimise potential risks to children. They have unsupervised access to the kitchen and on occasion, the garden, and are at times not within sight or sound off the childminder. Checking, by the childminder, of the extensive range of good quality toys, prior to use by children ensures they are safe. Equipment is age appropriate and meets children's individual developmental needs; statutory regulations as to appropriate car seats are taken account of. Children develop an understanding of their own personal safety when outside the childminder's home. Children hold onto the buggy, hold the childminder's hand or wear a wrist restraint when walking and are encouraged to develop an awareness of road safety. Discussions with older children about ‘stranger danger’ promote their understanding further.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and protected; for example, procedures for the collection of children by unfamiliar adults. The childminder has sufficient knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and local procedures to be followed. Parents are informed of her responsibilities through discussion and a written statement.

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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 satisfactory. Children form positive relationships with the childminder and confidently interact with other adults. Young children reach out for age-appropriate brightly coloured toys placed within easy reach. Young children take an interest in objects around them and start to explore these resources independently. Older children happily play alongside younger children; for example, closely investigating a play steering wheel with a range of different noises and help to build a tower of blocks. The childminder has no knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework. Consequently her understanding and knowledge of the importance of offering a wide range of activities that stimulate children's senses from an early age and that help them move forward in all areas of their development is limited. Older children eagerly participate in messy play activities on a regular basis. They manipulate play dough with their hands, attempt to flatten

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

it with a rolling pin and make shapes using cutters and moulds. Children use crayons and paint to create their own pictures and use glue to stick items into their individual work books. Visits to local places of interest, such as Banwell Castle, the beach, woods and Animal Park Country Farm extend children's experiences of their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are identified, taken account of and effectively supported and met. Children's well-being and sense of security is supported through flexible settling-in procedures and consistency with routines at home, such as, sleeping and the use of comforters. Children develop an awareness of the diversity of the wider world and difference through participation in a variety of well-resourced activities that focus on celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Divali and Hanukah. Books, dressing up clothes, posters and small world figures reflect positive images.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Regular praise and encouragement promotes children's self-esteem and sense of well-being. Children respond well to age appropriate strategies and through the setting of clear house rules, know what is expected of them. Children help to tidy toys away. Children are encouraged to be respectful towards each other and use 'please' and 'thank-you' appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship between their parents and the childminder. Parents are welcomed into the home and are supportive of the childminder. An information folder including some written procedures, daily discussion and a CD of photographs of their child informs parents of most of the childminder's policies and procedures and their child's experiences. The childminder does not have an adequate knowledge of the complaints regulations introduced in October 2005.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are at ease within the childminder's home. The organisation and layout of baby equipment and toys within the main play room is compact. Children self-select toys placed on

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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 the floor or from rotated storage boxes. However, the childminder has not taken into account of the layout of her home and considered fully how she supervises children, to ensure they are kept within sight and/or sound while playing. The childminder's flexible approach to the day ensures children's individual needs are met; for example, the collection of children from pre-school, nursery and school and their need for sleep.

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Organisation

The childminder has not ensured through training that her first aid certificate is up to date and meets requirements. She is in breach of regulations within the National Standards as she has not updated her knowledge of changes introduced in October 2005. Documentation in place is relevant and promotes children's well-being. It is shared appropriately with parents and maintained confidentially.

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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 the provider was requested to make the following improvement: to further develop planning of activities and the assessment of children's progress. Limited steps have been taken to address this recommendation. Creative and messy play activities are offered throughout the week to older children; these include opportunities to introduce number and colour recognition. However, the childminder does not yet use her knowledge of the children to make any systematic assessment of what children know and do to help her plan future activities.

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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): • hold a valid first aid certificate at all times that includes training in first aid for infants and young children

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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 • ensure that children are within sight and sound at all times • offer a wider range of activities that develop improvements in the outcomes for children under three years by implementing an approach in line with the Birth to three matters framework • improve knowledge and understanding of the complaints regulations introduced in October 2005.

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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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