Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341908 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2007 Inspection date Susan, Esther Harvey 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 one young adult in Cricklade, Wiltshire. All of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children part time aged under five. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have one dog.

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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 are very well cared for in a clean home where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene. The childminder acts as a good role model for children, this contributes to their good health. For example, the childminder is sensitive towards children's privacy while changing their nappy, and the use of protective gloves while attending to their needs. Young children are aware of appropriate hand washing routines before eating snack and meals. They are becoming independent during this time using wet-wipes. The childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and to ensure that children learn good hygiene routines. However, the childminder does not have a policy for recording appropriate measures to be taken if children are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a recent first aid certificate which ensures appropriate action will be taken in the event of an accident. She also has a strategy in place for emergencies. Parents are made aware of these arrangements and have provided written permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice if needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They have the chance to exercise daily as they walk to the local school and park. Young children have lots of fun while they dance and jig to music waving streamers. As a result are gaining control of their bodies as they increase their large muscle control.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinking water throughout the day. The childminder provides healthy snacks and nutritious home-cooked meals. They enjoy organic vegetables and fruit, and a variety of healthy food which increases their awareness of a healthy diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are made welcome into a family environment where the toys and resources are all set out ready for children on arrival. They have free access to toys and books which are kept on a shelving unit for easy reach. Children's pictures are displayed on the kitchen wall in order to celebrate their achievements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe home where all the risks have been identified and minimised. An example of this is a stair-gate at the kitchen door, and at the base of the stairs to prevent young children accessing the stairs unaccompanied. The premises and garden are secure, and the childminder has a well documented fire procedure which is displayed around the home and shared with parents. The childminder is fully aware of the route to take if she needs to leave the premises in an emergency with young children. Older children learn how to leave the premises safely and efficiently, as they take part in the practice. Young children learn good road safety habits from the childminder in order to remain safe while out walking. This includes the use of reins and practising stopping at the curb and listening for traffic. As a result, children are learning to keep themselves safe both inside and out of the home.

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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 The children's welfare is enhanced by the childminder's clear understanding of safe guarding children, and her detailed child protection policy. She is aware of appropriate reporting and recording procedures. Parents are informed of the regulators details and the process in place if they have a complaint.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confident in the care of the childminder. Children benefit from the childminder's careful planning of age appropriate activities. For example, young children relish in the time spent swirling glue around coloured paper and creating patterns with sparkly paper, jewels, feathers, cotton wool. They use their imaginations' using dry pasta to serve in pots and cups, stirred with wooden spoons. Young children enjoy listening to stories told enthusiastically by the childminder as she sings the words of the story ' if you are happy and you know it wiggle your ears' and makes noises linked to the animal with large ears. As a result, children are beginning to develop their listening skills in a fun way. Young children handle books with care and choose independently from the book shelf to sit quietly on their own or share with others. Children play with a purpose as they build towers with large coloured bricks

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and count how many are in the block. Therefore children are being given the chance to learn the skill of linking objects with numbers, through play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is putting many aspects of Birth to three matters framework into practice. This includes giving young children the chance to make choices for themselves about what they wish to play with; and the experience of being creative through interesting art and craft activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued by the childminder. She caters for their individual need in a well organised play routine. The childminder respects children's views and listens to what they have to say. Young children benefit from quality time and good emotional support given by the childminder. This includes lots of cuddles and reassurance where needed. Young children are polite and well behaved and beginning to learn to be aware of each others feelings. They say 'sorry' with little prompting from the childminder. The childminder enables children to learn appropriate social skills such as politeness, through the use of story books and setting a good example.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain from the strong relationship between parents and the childminder. She keeps them verbally informed about the events of the day and with use of a written contact book. Details included in the book are; what the children have eaten, and where they have visited during the day. Parents have the chance to respond with comments if they wish. As a result, the shared information and the link between home and the childminder contributes to the children's well-being. Parents are provided with a wealth of information to read. This includes the childminder's aims for their child's welfare, policies and procedures. The good level of partnership between parents and the childminder, enables children's individual needs to be met.

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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. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. Children are warmly welcomed into an environment where the space available gives them the opportunity to freely select toys in the downstairs part of the home. The childminder is extremely well organised in her management of time spent in the company of young children. The register is accurately recorded, and documents are efficiently maintained in order to promote the care, welfare and learning of children.

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Organisation

The childminder is pro-active in her commitment to further her professional development by attending training events and subscribing to child-care publications which keep her up-to-date with early years events and changes.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider of 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): • maintain a policy for recording appropriate measures to be taken if children are ill

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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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