Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336995 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2007 Inspection date Christine Eglinton 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 2006. She lives with her partner and five children aged 14, 10, six, five and two years. The family live in a house in Collier Row which is within easy walking distance of local shops and schools. The childminder prefers to use all of the ground floor for childminding and parts of the upstairs premises. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding one child aged 14 months for two days per week. The childminder drives to take and collect children from the local school and is a member of the National Childminding Association. Children regularly attend the local parent/toddler group.

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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 benefit from playing in a very clean environment where they receive good support, to develop good personal hygiene through effective daily routines. For example, children are encouraged to wash their own hands before they eat and after using the toilet. Discussion and simple explanation such as explaining why they need to wash their hands, help children understand the importance of keeping themselves healthy. Effective daily routines and the childminder’s own good practice, helps to prevent cross infection. For instance, she ensures tables are cleaned with anti-bacterial wipes before children eat their meals, and washes her own hands before preparing any food. Children have their own individual towels, and animal food and water bowls are kept out of children reach.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder operates a sick child procedure which involves excluding children from the premises until they are clear of any infectious illnesses. This helps to protect children from infection. The childminder has appropriate systems in place to gather information from parents concerning children’s medical and dietary needs. However, she has not sought written permission from parents for children to receive emergency medical treatment. This poses a risk of children not receiving swift and prompt medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a balanced diet and receive a healthy range of snacks including fresh and dried fruit, to help them stay healthy. Children are able to independently help themselves to drinks which encourages them to think about their personal needs. Younger children are given good support to feed themselves which enables them to become independent.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children regularly enjoy a range of activities that contribute towards their health and develops their physical skills. They regularly walk to the local shops, and are able to access a range of large play equipment both inside the home, and outdoors at the local park and soft play centre.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious and well-organised environment which allows them to move around and play safely. Appropriate furniture such as child size tables and chairs, and travel cots, enable children to eat their meals comfortably and sleep safely. Children are able to play with a very wide range of toys and resources which are of good quality, clean, safe, and age appropriate. Toys and resources are stored at low level so that children can access them safely and easily. Children are able to make important decisions in their play and learning because they are to self-select their own toys. This enables them to spend time concentrating at self-chosen activities to further their enjoyment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is promoted because the childminder is vigilant at reducing risks and minimising hazards. For example, safety gates protect young children from accessing the stairs, and low level kitchen cupboards containing hazardous items, are protected with locks. Children are kept

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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 safe on trips and outings by the childminder using appropriate restraints in the car, and buggy when out walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to demonstrate sound knowledge of child protection issues and understands the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care. This supports children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Young children are able to bring important comforters from home such as their special toy rabbit to help them settle more easily. Children are happy and confident in their environment and confidently approach the childminder for support and comfort. This indicates that trusting relationships have been built.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children independently choose their toys which are easily accessible and provide appropriate stimulation. They are developing their imagination well when they play with the role play resources, pretending to feed the dolls, and make cups of tea. The childminder engages well with children during their play. She explains what she is doing when she shows them how the toy cement lorry works by turning the cement mixer while using the word ‘round and round’. This encourages young children to link words with actions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are given sufficient time to repeat an activity such as operating a cause and effect toy which plays a musical tune. This enables young children to consolidate what they have learned, and practise their new learned skills. Children are helped to develop their social skills when they mix with other adults and children at the local drop-in groups. Trips to the local park to feed the deer offer children a wide range of experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to represent their ideas through painting and sticking however, they are not given sufficient opportunities to use their senses to explore the world. For example, by accessing further mess making and sensory exploration through using a range of natural materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder encourages all the children to take part in the activities provided. This ensures children have equal opportunities to maximise their learning and enjoyment. Children learn about people from the community while attending groups with the childminder, and have access to a small selection of toys reflecting some aspects of society. However, they are not helped to understand and appreciate other cultures through using different resources and activities. Consequently, this does not help children to develop a positive attitude towards others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children’s behaviour calmly and patiently which encourages children to respond effectively to any guidance. Behaviour strategies are appropriate according to the age and stage of development. For example, distraction techniques and re-direction are used to diffuse negative behaviour. Children are encouraged to complete group tasks such as tidying away the toys to encourage them to work together co-operatively.

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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 The childminder offers a flexible approach to her service to accommodate parents needs, which helps to establish supportive relationships with parents. Regular informal discussions with parents ensure continuity of care however, they are not able to view the daily care diary to enhance children's learning further. Parents are given copies of the childminder’s policies and procedures, which help them make an informed choice.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time appropriately, which enables her to offer children sufficient support and supervision during their play, and during daily care routines. This helps children to feel secure and confident. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The day is sufficiently well balanced enabling children to be actively occupied, and then relax and participate in more tranquil and restful activities. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Information kept about the children is relevant and helps to promote their welfare. Written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. However, the childminder needs to ensure she develops the care diary further, to ensure information recorded is being used effectively to inform parents and establish further parental involvement. This will enable all to work together more successfully to benefit the children and enhance their learning.

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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 the 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):

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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 • seek appropriate consent from parents for children to receive emergency medical treatment • increase opportunities for mess making and sensory exploration for young children by using an approach in line with ‘Birth to three matters’ framework • ensure resources and planned activities are helping children to develop a positive attitude towards diversity, to help children learn to value each other’s culture, similarities, and differences • ensure care diaries are enabling all to work together to support children’s needs more effectively.

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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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