Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342512 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2007 Inspection date Brenda Joan Flewitt 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. He lives and works with his partner, who is also a registered childminder, and her daughter aged nine years, in Poole, Dorset. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Toilet and sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. The family have one dog to which the children have supervised access.

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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. He is currently minding four children under the age of five years. There are no children currently attending overnight.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member 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. They are cared for in a clean and tidy family home where the childminder makes providing a hygienic environment a high priority. He carries out routine procedures to help prevent the spread of infection which include a hygienic nappy changing routine, and providing individual equipment for hand washing, drinks, and sleeping. There is a clear sickness policy which informs parents that children must not attend if they have an infectious illness. From a young age, children learn good procedures for their own personal hygiene. For example, toddlers get to know that they should have clean hands before handling food because the childminder always cleans their hands, and his own, with anti-bacterial gel at meal times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They take part in a variety of activities that help them develop physical skills. These include regular visits to the park where they use large equipment such as slides, swings and see-saws. They practise manoeuvring wheeled vehicles during garden play, and young babies pull themselves up on low-level furniture to help them stand. The childminder encourages them to develop confidence in walking by providing appropriate equipment such as push-along toys. For example, a one-year-old looks pleased with himself as he manages to push a wheeled toy across the room, taking steps behind it. Children make healthy choices from food provided mainly by parents, supplemented with fruit offered by the childminder as required. Children drink regularly whenever they are thirsty, as their individual cups are made readily available to them. Babies' routines are discussed and agreed with parents with regards

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Helping children to be healthy

to sleep and food to ensure that individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medication and accidents are managed well. The childminder has up-to-date training in first aid, and resources are easily accessible, however some of these are out of date. The required accident and medication records are completed clearly, therefore promoting children's health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in safe and secure, well maintained premises where hazards and risks are identified and minimised. The childminder puts measures in place to help prevent accidents. These include the safe storage of hazardous substances, 'door slammers' to prevent trapped fingers, and safety gates to stop children accessing unsafe areas such as stairs. The good security system means that children are protected from uninvited visitors and that they cannot leave the building unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder organises the space available appropriately so that children move around in safety as they take part in various activities. The family home is child orientated and children use equipment and play provision that is kept in good condition. There is a range of furniture and equipment available to help keep children safe when sleeping, eating and travelling. This

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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 includes high chairs and buggies with harnesses, high-sided travel cots and appropriate car seats and restraints. Sleeping babies are protected through regular physical checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All children are involved in practising the emergency evacuation procedures. This means they know what is expected and this contributes towards their safety in a real situation. They are protected on outings through the childminder's routine procedures which include making sure children wear a wrist strap showing the childminder's contact number. Children start to learn about their own safety as they are involved in looking for traffic and finding safe places to cross the road. On day trips to public venues, older children are given clear boundaries and made aware of the danger of talking to strangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children issues and recognising signs of abuse. He has attended recent training and has up-to-date information available to refer to if he has concerns. This contributes towards the children's safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and secure in the care of their childminder. They develop confidence in making their needs known as they can be sure of a friendly and caring response. The childminder encourages the children to practise skills in practical activities, such as feeding themselves. For instance, babies and toddlers are allowed to 'get messy' while they attempt to feed themselves with a spoon. He makes sure that he provides the appropriate resources and that the physical environment is easy to clean. This encourages children's independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a good range of activities that promote learning in all areas of development. These include construction, role play, books, puzzles, art and craft, music, small world toys, and computer games. They use their senses to explore various objects and materials, such as the sound of pasta in a plastic bottle, the feel of paint on their hands when making hand-prints and the taste of different foods as they explore various festivals like the Chinese New Year. They enjoy positive interaction from the childminder as he supports their activities. He talks to young children, reassuring them, encouraging them and helping them develop vocabulary. For example, a one-year-old enjoys knocking over stacking cups as the childminder builds up a tower, an older child is taking interest in building them up again.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children choose from a suitable range of play provision which is stored appropriately to allow them to select according to their age and stage of development. However, this sometimes means that the younger children cannot make spontaneous choices from a full range. For example, they usually use books and puzzles as a suggestion made by the childminder rather than through their own choice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's days include a good variety of visits outside the home where they meet other people, use a wider range of equipment and explore their local environment. They visit toddler groups on a weekly basis where they play alongside other children, take part in group activities like song time and explore creative opportunities. Favourite outings include going to the beach or a family farm venue where they learn about nature and animals, and the weekly 'Music Tots'

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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 which includes investigating sounds with musical instruments. All this contributes towards children's positive attitude to the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals. The childminder gets to know each child's needs and preferences through the support he offers as they play and through the ongoing communication with parents. They develop a good sense of belonging as they see photos of themselves and their art work displayed in the childminder's home. Children start to become aware of people's differences as they use resources that reflect positive images of diversity, and as they take part in planned activities where they explore festivals from other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They learn what is expected as house rules are made clear. The childminder uses distraction to teach the younger children what is, and is not, acceptable. For example, he gently moves a baby's hands away from a DVD player and transfers his attention to a toy. Children receive praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements which helps build their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's positive relationship with parents. He supplies parents with useful written information about the setting which includes policies and procedures regarding children's health, safety and welfare. The childminder promotes daily exchange of information, verbally, which is supported by a written record on some days. This ensures that individual needs are met and any additional requirements addressed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The effective organisation of the premises and structure of the day means that children are active in a safe environment; they eat and sleep according to individual needs and enjoy activities outside the home. However, the storage arrangements for some of the resources sometimes limits younger children's spontaneous choice, and the first aid resources are not all replaced as necessary.

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Organisation

The childminder communicates effectively with his co-childminder to promote children's safety, health and inclusion. When working together, it means that the supervision of the children is increased which enables the younger children to take part in all activities at their own level. For example, toddlers join the older children and enjoy making collage pictures, experimenting with glue and paper.

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Organisation

All documentation and records are in place, well organised and completed accurately. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom he provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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): • review the organisation of the play provision for the younger children, to give them more opportunities to make spontaneous choices from a full range • make sure that first aid resources are checked frequently and replaced as necessary.

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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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