Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335071 Unique Reference Number 29 March 2007 Inspection date Sue Anslow 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 satisfactory. 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, two adult children, one child aged 12 years and her grandchild aged six months. The family live in Macclesfield, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor, upstairs bathrooms, main bedroom and grandchild's bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a cat.

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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 one child under five and four children over five, all on a part time basis. However, there were no children present on the day of inspection. The childminder drives or walks to a local school to take and collect children and attends local toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds an early years qualification.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies. She describes how children learn about personal hygiene through their normal daily routines, for example, by using separate flannels for each child. The childminder has written procedures with regard to managing children who are unwell or have had an accident. However, parents have not given written permission for emergency medical treatment, which compromises children's health care in this area. The childminder encourages a healthy lifestyle by including a number of physical activities in the weekly routine. She explains that children often walk to and from school and play out in the garden at every opportunity.

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Helping children to be healthy

From discussion and a written food and drink policy, the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating. She explains that older children are given a choice of after school snacks and that fresh fruit is always available. Parents may provide food for their children and any special dietary requirements are respected. The childminder talks about how drinks of water, juice or milk are available as required throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have ample space to play in the through lounge/dining room and rear garden. The childminder explains that quiet areas for sleeping are provided. Play resources are available for the minded children and all items are kept clean and checked regularly for safety. The childminder has taken action to ensure that any risks inside and outside her home have been minimised, so that children can play safely. She explains how she helps children to learn about their own safety through discussions and demonstrations. For example, children practise the road safety drill on the way to school. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in place. However, emergency evacuation procedures have not been practised, which compromises children's safety in this area. The childminder has attended a child protection course and is familiar with her responsibilities should she have any significant concerns. Written safety and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection policies inform parents of the service provided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder describes each of the minded children's interests and general characters. She explains how she provides a variety of activities for their enjoyment and stimulation, bearing in mind the moods of the older children coming in after a day at school. She talks about garden play being a favourite, as well as jumping on the trampoline or climbing the climbing frame. Evidence suggests that a range of different art and craft work is also enjoyed, as children have previously decorated plain t-shirts with paints, ribbons and glitter. The childminder explains how children enjoy baking and create some very artistic designs with their pizza toppings. She describes how younger children enjoy individual attention, quietly looking at books, building the wooden bricks or going for walks to feed the ducks.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Indications suggest that all children are treated with equal concern and are able to participate in all games and activities. The childminder demonstrated her knowledge of the children's interests and preferences, so she is able to provide the sorts of things they like. She describes how children are encouraged to bring comforters from home to help the settling in process. The childminder talks about how she encourages the children to celebrate festivals and how they enjoy making their own birthday cakes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder showed a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages. A written behaviour management policy informs parents that she would work closely with them to overcome any difficulties. The childminder stated that she aims to build close, trusting relationships with all parents and a file containing policies and procedures is given to all new parents when they visit the childminder's home for the first time. Gradual settling in processes are encouraged and contracts and consent forms are signed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrated her commitment to providing good care for the children. She has completed the introduction to childminding course and has a current first aid certificate. She also holds an early years qualification through her previous work in a playgroup and has completed a number of other relevant courses and workshops.

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Organisation

Children have ample space to play, both indoors and outside and activities are balanced well throughout the day. The children's care is supported by the required record keeping in most areas and a full set of written policies are provided for all parents. Overall, evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the 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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints 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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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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain written permission from parents for emergency medical treatment • practise emergency evacuation procedures with all minded children

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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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