Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340713 Unique Reference Number 07 February 2007 Inspection date Pamela Woodhouse 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and five years in West Moors, near Ferndown, Dorset. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, this includes the lounge, playroom, kitchen, four bedrooms and toilet facilities. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding two children aged 17 months and five years part time. She is also registered to care for two children overnight. The childminder collects the children from school and takes the younger children to the local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the local support group and of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children's health is promoted well. The childminder has implemented good practices and promotes children's awareness of good hygiene routines to protect them from the spread of infection. Children know the importance of personal hygiene and without prompting make sure that they wash their hands before eating. The childminder maintains a suitable first aid qualification and parental consents to address any health issues that may arise whist the children are in her care. She ensures that children who stay overnight have fresh bed linen and follow their home bedtime routines to ensure consistency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminders good understanding of healthy eating. Children eat healthy snacks and are offered a substantial snack after school which satisfies them but will not affect their appetite for dinner when they return home. For example, crackers with cheese, ham and tomato topping followed by a drink of water. Parents provide young children's lunch and the childminder records their intake in their daily diary. This means that parents are kept informed about how much their children have eaten. The childminder is mindful of ensuring that she is made aware of any dietary requirements the children have, both through discussion with the parent, and declared on their record forms

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They walk to school on some days and have the opportunity to use the play park every day on their way home from school. Younger children also attend toddler group with the childminder where they are able to use physical play equipment. During the warmer and drier months children are able to use the large garden which has a range of suitable play equipment for them to climb on.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a clean, warm and safe environment. They use a dedicated playroom for their play activities and have ample space on the ground floor to play and move around freely. Children who stay overnight have their own bedroom and younger children can rest undisturbed during the day. Children are able to self select from a wide range of age appropriate resources which are of good quality and safe for them to use. Most of their toys are stored within their reach which encourages them to make their own decisions and helps to promote their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of safety and the measures she puts in place to reduce risk. For example, she practices an emergency evacuation of the premises with the children, recording information about this to monitor and identify any issues which arise. She also monitors smoke detectors regularly to ensure that they are in working order. The areas of the home the children use are checked before they arrive to ensure that they are safe, however, some furnishings in the lounge pose a hazard to the children due to trailing on the floor and sharp edges. Children learn to keep themselves safe when outside, for example, they learn how to cross the road safely and are safely restrained in the car when travelling.

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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 Children are safeguarded from harm because the childminder has a secure understanding of her role in their protection. She has undertaken awareness training and is aware of potential indicators of abuse, being clear about raising concerns with parents and the appropriate authorities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and confident in their environment. They have a good rapport with the childminder and her own children, benefiting from activities she plans to promote their learning such as shape and colour which are introduced into their everyday activities. There is an appropriate balance of planned activities and those which children select for themselves, as well as regular visits to the local park where they can play on large scale equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children arrive from school in a happy mood and quickly settle down to their activities. The childminder respects all children's routines and plans her day around these to ensure that their needs are met. For example, the younger children have a lengthy mid-day sleep and the older children are ready for their snack immediately when they arrive back from school. Children play well together and confidently choose toys from their toy boxes to occupy them constructively. Children say that they enjoy spending time at the childminder's home because they can make their own decisions about what they want to play with and that there is always plenty for them to do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are respected by the childminder who knows the children very well and takes account of their individual stage of development. The children have full access to their toys and activities which include those that promote positive images of diversity in their play. They are encouraged to choose their own activities as well as to join in with those that are planned for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well, are polite and play cooperatively with their peers. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of positive behaviour management which, through her policy, she shares with parents. This means that parents are aware of the strategies she uses and provides an opportunity to promote consistency between her provision and the children's homes. Strategies are age and stage appropriate such as the use of praise and distraction, the childminder also rewards children's achievements with stickers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive good information about the provision. They are kept informed of the childminder's practice and procedures through their copy of her policies and through verbal information which is exchanged at the beginning and end of the day. Parents also receive a daily diary in relation to the younger children, this details, for example, their routines and meals thus making sure that parents have detailed information about their child's day. These measures help to promote a successful partnership between the parents and childminder regarding their children's care.

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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 the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of her role. She has attended appropriate training such as first aid, the Birth to three matters framework as well as her introductory childminding course. She maintains all required documentation and ensures that these remain confidential and secure.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that her home is organised effectively so that the children can play and rest safely, for example, older children play with small pieces at the table or when the younger children are sleeping to prevent choking hazards. The childminder implements her policies and procedures to ensure that the children receive good support such as adult: child ratios and maintaining good health and safety practices.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • make sure that the lounge is safe by ensuring that trailing curtains and sharp edged objects are inaccessible to the 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 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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