Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339179 Unique Reference Number 14 March 2007 Inspection date Hilary Elizabeth Tierney 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 lives in a two bedroom, terraced property in the Westlea area of Swindon, Wiltshire. She shares her home with her husband and daughter aged two years. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Local amenities include a park, shops, schools, library and local childminder toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2006. She may provide care for four children under eight years of age. She currently cares for two children during the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has completed training in food hygiene and child protection.

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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 learn healthy hygiene procedures through good routines. The childminder encourages them to wash their hands before meals, after being outside and after using the toilet. Children are encouraged to use soap when washing hands. All have their own hand and face towels, these are coloured and each child is able to choose their own colour. Children have a set of towels in the bathroom upstairs and in the kitchen. This helps to minimise the spread of infection. Clearly written health, sickness and accident procedures ensure that children's health is protected. Accidents are shared with parents on the day. Prior written permission is obtained from parents before any medication is given to children. All necessary parental permissions are in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to learn about healthy eating. All food is prepared by the childminder on the day. Children have a good variety of fresh fruit and meals. During the inspection children were observed enjoying their snack of grapes and apples. Drinks are easily accessible at all times, so children can help themselves at any time. The childminder has a good understanding regarding the individual dietary needs of children and meets them well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a warm, well maintained home where they may play safely. There is a good range of balanced, easily accessible resources. These are of good quality and condition. Displays of children's work around the home help give children a sense of belonging. For example, children made Chinese lanterns, these are hung around the home. Children proudly show them off.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe as they play. There are detailed written polices in place. The childminder has taken all necessary precautions to ensure children are safe. Well situated gates around the home ensure children do not enter any area unsupervised. The childminder supervises children well at all times. A detailed outings procedure helps ensure children are safe when away from the home. Children understand emergency evacuation procedures because the childminder has practised them successfully with them. All written parental permissions are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The childminder has a sound understanding and knowledge about safeguarding children. She has a well written procedure in place and has completed relevant training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have been attending for only a short period of time, but they are settled, happy, confident and secure as they play. Children benefit from well planned activities based around the Birth to three matters framework. Children are provided with exciting and interesting

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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 experiences, for example, children have planted sunflower seeds and beans, so they can watch them grow and measure them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children interact well together as they play, they share and take turns well. The younger children are beginning to learn about sharing. The childminder divides her time well as they interact together. Children were observed drawing pictures, they proudly bring their pictures to show the childminder, who praises them for doing good drawings. Children understand they may access all toys and equipment freely. Children are able to develop their imagination through role play and dressing-up. During the inspection children are seen dressing up as 'fairies'; the childminder helps them put on the dresses. Then they go into the garden with dolls and prams, taking them for a walk. Good interactions between children and the childminder help increase the children's language skills. The childminder talks with children as they play asking them open questions to help them think and solve.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has detailed written policies and procedures regarding equal opportunity, behaviour and partnership with parents. These are reflected in practice. Children benefit from a wide range of activities that reflect the diversity within the community. Resources are used well to promote children's awareness of the world around them. Children take part in walks and trips to the library. The childminder offers good support to children with learning disabilities and difficulties. She meets the needs of individual children well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. Children are beginning to learn the rules of the home. They share, take turns and interact very well together as they play. The childminder treats all children with equal care and concern. She is calm in her approach using effective praise and encouragement and the children respond with good behaviour. Younger children play well together, any minor disagreements are sorted quickly and effectively by the childminder. The childminder divides her time equally between all children. Verbal agreements with parents ensure consistency between home and childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A good relationship with parents has developed. Daily diaries are used for all children. These include information about the child's day. A verbal exchange of information is shared when parents collect their child at the end of the day. All written policies and procedures are shared with parents in the brochure. All written parental permissions are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and has all required documentation in place for registration. All documentation relating to her childminding business is kept locked away securely and confidential. She has produced a detailed parents' brochure containing all policies and procedures. She has a detailed complaints procedure in place, but has no formal way of recording any complaints should they occur. The childminder is committed to improving the care she provides and has completed various relevant training courses.

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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 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): • improve the system for recording any complaints.

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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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