Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341335 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2007 Inspection date Jane Shaw 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 two children aged eight and six in Mobberly, Cheshire. Children have access to the reception area, family room, kitchen and breakfast room, dining room, toilet and hand washing facilities on the ground floor. There is also access to two bedrooms on the first floor. Children have access to an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, and is currently caring for one child aged under five years on a part time basis. She is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools and attend local toddler groups.

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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 are cared for within a clean and hygienic environment. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained, and effective hygiene routines and procedures ensure children's good health is promoted at all times. Older children are reminded to wash hands regularly and routinely, and are encouraged to be independent in this task. The childminder ensures babies are similarly kept healthy by carrying out these tasks for them, using wet wipes to wipe their hands and faces before and after meals to ensure their cleanliness and comfort. Nappy changing procedures are effective, the childminder wipes her hands before and after this task, ensuring children's health. A sick child procedure, which is clearly discussed with parents and carers, ensures that they are fully aware of any illnesses, and are able to make decisions and arrangements regarding their child's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy and nutritious diet, which includes a range of home cooked meals consisting of fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder liaises closely with parents and carers regarding meal provision, and consults with them regarding weaning for babies and the introduction of new foods. Children are offered healthy foods, for example, babies enjoy pureed meals, such as cereal and banana, salmon and baby rice, broccoli, potatoes and cheese, and spaghetti bolognaise. They are also offered other fresh fish including cod and smoked mackerel, and vegetables, such as asparagus and carrots. Drinks include baby milk and boiled water. Any foods provided by parents and carers are appropriately stored until required. Babies are comfortable whilst being fed. The childminder makes good arrangements for feeding babies making good eye contact with them, giving praise, encouragement and support during this

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of activities and experiences indoors, outdoors and away from the childminding setting, which contribute to their good health and general well-being. Regular opportunities are made available during play for the children to develop both their large and small physical abilities, for example, babies develop crawling skills as they access toys placed on the floor. Babies have opportunities to be outdoors as they help to feed the birds in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this information as a reference guide when offering children activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder makes good use of the available space to provide children with access to a range of activities and opportunities. For example, the kitchen is used for messy play and meals, the family room is used as the main play area particularly for babies and older children have access to the dining room for quiet activities, such as completing homework.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a wide range of toys and equipment which is age appropriate and checked regularly for safety and hygiene. Toys and resources are rotated regularly to sustain children's interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe, secure and caring environment. Possible risks or dangers have been identified and dealt with by the use of suitable safety equipment, for example, cupboard

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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 locks and access to safety gates for use on the stairs. Indoor and outdoor play space used by the minded children is suitable for their use. The childminder requested a visit from the local fire department to give her advice regarding fire evacuation procedures and appropriate fire fighting and prevention equipment. She is clear about the most effective way to evacuate children in the event of a fire, ensuring their safety at this time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety and welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the childminder's awareness in this area. She has a clear understanding of child protection procedures, and the signs and symptoms of abuse to alert to. She has access to appropriate written information to support her knowledge in this area, along with access to contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children board. This ensures that she is alert to children's welfare and able to deal with any concerns in a prompt and effective manner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and comfortable in the company of the childminder, where they receive good support, encouraging their enjoyment and development. Children's are developing new skills and abilities through good support from the childminder. She has an understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this as a reference guide when considering activities for children of this age.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies present show excitement, kicking legs, moving arms and gurgling when listening to the childminder speak and musical and noisy toys, and they join in conversations when spoken to. They are animated when the childminder reads their favourite story, touching the pages as the childminder reads. The childminder places toys near to them on the floor for them to easily access, and places some further away to help in the development of their physical skills, mobility and hand eye coordination. Babies follow sounds, locating them around the room. Babies show excitement as they repeat activities and achievements, for example, as they realise they can use their hands to make their own sounds on a small upturned storage box, and as they make the toy train make sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive lots of praise and encouragement for attempts and achievements, which enables them to persevere and practise skills. The childminder uses good language and tone of voice to actively encourage children's enjoyment and pride in their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a range of activities appropriate for babies, including listening to music, noisy toys, 'feely' toys and plans to introduce more tactile experiences, such as 'gloop' and other similar activities, when appropriate to do so. Their activities and play are supported by a good range of appropriate toys and resources which are rotated regularly to sustain their interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are presented with good learning and development opportunities through access to a good range of toys, equipment, activities and support. Babies are able to develop skills in a safe and caring environment. They are able to self-select toys from those placed near to them and those offered by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are given good opportunities to develop both large and small physical skills through various activities both in and outdoors, as they use the outdoor play space and attend other child centred activities. Younger children enjoy going outside to feed the birds, and visit the fish monger to choose fish for lunch.

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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 Parents and carers are kept informed of the different activities their children are involved in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunity issues, and ensures that all children have equal access to the range of activities and experiences provided. Activities are age and developmentally appropriate for the children in her care. Children have access to some resources and materials that reflect multi-cultural issues, but those to promote children's understanding of disability are limited. The childminder gathers relevant information regarding children's individual needs and circumstances, enabling her to provide appropriate care for each child, for example, the provision of food to address children's dietary requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has previous experience of working with children with learning difficulties. She would liaise closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure children are provided with appropriate care, and enabled to participate equally.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and content in their play, which is seen as babies laugh, smile and kick their legs whilst listening to musical toys and as the childminder talks to them. Babies join in with and have 'conversations' with the childminder and others present. They receive lots of positive praise and encouragement from the childminder, which results in their enjoyment and contentment. The childminder is clear about her role in developing children's understanding of acceptable behaviour and describes the use of appropriate strategies for managing children's behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children needs are met as a result of the childminder working together with parents and carers to ensure that their individual needs and requirements are identified and addressed. For example, babies' routines are discussed and agreed, and regularly updated when required. The childminder gives parents and carers feedback as they collect their child at the end of their minded day, and offers written feedback if desired.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All legally required vetting has been successfully carried out on the childminder and household members where applicable, and therefore children are cared for within a safe environment. The childminder has completed the required introductory childminder training and paediatric first aid course, and is keen to undertake other relevant short courses to enhance her expertise.

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Organisation

Children are cared for within an organised environment. Children's activities and opportunities are appropriately organised and offered, and are based around children's individual routines and in agreement with parents and carers. Children have opportunities to participate in a range of age appropriate activities both indoors and outdoors.

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Organisation

The childminder has only very recently commenced minding. All legally required documentation and records relating to the minded children are, in the main, in place. However, parental consent for some aspects of children's care and enjoyment are not yet in place, and children's attendance is not always recorded as it happens.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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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. 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): • develop the range of resources to promote children's understanding of diversity • record children's attendance as it happens, and obtain appropriate parental consent where necessary, including consent for emergency medical treatment, outings, transporting by car, and any other issues where applicable.

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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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