Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340997 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2007 Inspection date Michael Collins 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and their two children aged two and six years. They live in a terraced house in a residential area of Bideford. Except for the childminder's bedroom, children have access to the whole of the home, and there is an enclosed rear garden suitable for outside play. The family have three pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four minded children at any one time, and currently has an 11-month-old and a one-year-old attending at various times. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups.

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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. The childminder plans and organises a variety of activities that contribute to the children’s good health and physical development. With appropriate supervision, children use large and small play equipment, ranging from a ball pond, to ride on toys and walkers. She is mindful of individual children's ages and stage of development, and is able to support their growing co-ordination and physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures the children are cared for in a warm and clean home. Her consistent and appropriate approach to nappy changing, personal care and hygiene minimises the risks of cross-contamination. Through the routines, established in partnership with parents, and the appropriate interaction from the childminder, children are able to learn the importance of good hygiene. This joint approach helps her to support and develop children’s growing understanding of personal care. The childminder maintains good medical records and paperwork, and acts in the best interests of children to keep them healthy or should they be unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. She takes into account parental wishes by avoiding certain foods, like nuts or kiwi fruit, because of allergies, or will encourage others to expand horizons in relation to food choices and different tastes. The children enjoy a good range of fruit, vegetables and nutritious foods. In order to maintain the children’s fluid levels, drinks, chosen by the parents, of milk, water or juice are always available to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides an organised, clean and child-friendly house. She identifies and minimises risks inside the home to provide safe places to play, according to the age range minded. This enables children to move around with growing independence and safety. There is a dedicated playroom which is brightly decorated and well maintained to ensure children feel welcome and safe. However, the rear garden is not as well-maintained and contains items unsuitable for access by children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently self-select activities from a good range of appropriate toys and resources, which meet safety standards and are easily accessible to them. The childminder warmly supports and vigilantly supervises children’s choices, making sure they are safe and appropriate. She is skilled at ensuring children use activities and resources with safety and purpose, thereby enhancing children’s learning and supporting their growing understanding of personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To promote and safeguard children’s welfare the childminder has all the required documentation in place. She holds a current first aid certificate and has a good understanding of child protection policies and procedures in line with the local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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. The childminder plans a good variety of activities for the age range cared for. For example, she provides: sensory play; story times; musical instruments; outings to a local rhythm and rhyme session; music and movement; art and craft; and quiet times. She takes an adaptable approach to planning, taking into account children’s own routines and needs, parental wishes, and other factors such as the weather. She challenges and encourages children to take part in activities appropriate to their age and stage of development, and is the first to celebrate their successes. All of this contributes greatly to the children's enjoyment, growing understanding, and sense of achievement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are content, secure and very settled in the childminder's house, clearly making themselves at home. The comfortable and friendly atmosphere allows children to make their own choices confidently, and they are thoroughly absorbed and happy in their play. The childminder consistently supports the children in their choices, and is able to guide younger children towards more suitable items or activities, when their original choice is inappropriate. The childminder also has the skill and knowledge to join in or leave the children to their own devices, depending on age, ability, and need. This helps to bolster children’s independence and promotes their sense of well-being and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend their time usefully and with reason. Whether this is increasing their mobility through crawling or toddling safely indoors, or increasing their physical control and imagination by playing with construction bricks and sensory toys. They clearly enjoy their time with the childminder, benefiting from a safe, warm and nurturing environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Parents and children are warmly welcomed to the childminder’s home. She gathers information from parents to make sure that individual need, family background and parental wishes are taken into account and acted upon. For the age range currently cared for, the childminder provides an appropriate level of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. For example, books, and other resources are available in the home, and the childminder makes regular visits to a local toddler group to supplement this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed warm, caring and positive relationships with the children she cares for and has begun to get to know them very well. She treats children as individuals and they are valued and respected by her. This attitude and approach encourages and supports the children to interact co-operatively and develop their social and wider skills. She further supports the development of these skills by setting consistent boundaries and routines in partnership with parents. All of this, coupled with her consistent and positive reinforcement of welcomed behaviour, enables the childminder to foster and support good behaviour very well. The outcome of this being that children feel safe and secure, and their behaviour is very good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents particularly well. She provides parents with very informative and good ‘handover’ diaries. These contain information about: mood; activities;

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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 food; nappy changing; naps; and events. They also show an ongoing dialogue with parents about the needs of the child and following parental wishes. This helps to keep parents aware of their children’s activities, behaviours, and development and enables them to discuss achievements and plan for the ‘next step’ and other events with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. To make sure that children feel welcome, comfortable and safe, the childminder provides a well-maintained and organised home. This enables the children to make choices and allows them to play or rest as they or their parents would wish.

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Organisation

The childminder promotes the welfare, care and learning of children by successfully and consistently implementing her good policies and procedures. She maintains all of the required documentation very well, and to keep them informed of their children’s activities and achievements, both written and verbal information is shared on a regular basis with parents.

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Organisation

Children’s individual needs are well met by the childminder, who makes sure she has all of the information require to care for them and work in partnership with the parents. This organised and consistent approach contributes to the continuity and good quality of care provided for the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it 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):

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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 children cannot access hazardous materials in the garden.

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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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