Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY256845 Unique Reference Number 17 January 2007 Inspection date Paula Durrant 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 2003. She lives with her two children aged eight and six years in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children from one to eight years. She is currently minding a total of eight children under the age of five years. All children in attendance are part-time. The family has two rabbits and a dog. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and also uses her vehicle for collection of children who attend schools out of the local vicinity. All required consents and insurances are in place for this. The childminder makes full use of community based amenities such as local parks and parent and toddler groups. 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 protected from infection and are well taken care of if they become ill or have an accident as the childminder adheres to environmental health and hygiene guidelines. For example, children who are unwell are discouraged from attending in line with stipulated exclusion periods for childhood diseases. Appropriate measures such as the childminder's maintenance of a valid first aid qualification and sufficient medical supplies to administer emergency aid all contribute to maintaining children's health care needs. Although the childminder records accidental injuries and medication administered in line with registration requirements current contractual agreements do not give parental permission for the childminder to obtain emergency medical advice or treatment. This means that there is a potential for children not to receive appropriate medical intervention should an emergency situation occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn to understand simple good health and hygiene as they follow the daily routine. For example, they know to wash their hands on return from outside play, after using the toilet, following contact with the family animals and prior to eating. They understand the reasons behind this tasks as the childminder frequently introduces discussions about germs and the effects they can have on their bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a varied nutritional diet of home cooked meals. The childminder discusses provision with parents to ensure that individual dietary needs are complied with. Children benefit from healthy options such as a balance of pasta, fish and chicken dishes. The childminder has knowledge of providing five portions of fruit and vegetables a day which she implements into her menus. Children receive regular drinks as cups of juice and water remain accessible at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. Trips to the local playground and activity centres are frequent. Children also have access to a secure and safe garden area which is suitably equipped with a range of challenging resources to develop increased control and coordination. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home-care routines, whilst older children sit quietly looking at books or watching favourite child-centred television programmes to recuperate their energy levels.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe secure family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder is highly vigilant undertaking daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a wide range of good quality resources that are well maintained. The childminder abides to manufacturers' recommendations providing age appropriate equipment that holds a recognised safety kite mark. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains

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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 house rules and road safety when out. For example, children know to sit down when eating as there is a potential to choke on undigested foods, to hold hands alongside busy main roads and not talk to strangers or approach unfamiliar dogs when out in the local community as this may compromise their well-being. However, children do not benefit from developing an awareness of fire safety or how to evacuate the house in an emergency as there are no formal procedures in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as they are cared for by a suitable adult who has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has completed vetting checks and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. She has a clear understanding of how and where to report concerns in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled in their surroundings due to the exceptionally close relationship with the childminder who is highly attentive to the children in her care. She provides them with an extensive range of practical age-appropriate activities that inspire interest and promote challenge. She recognises individual preferences such as the desire to play alone and to make independent choices in the selection of favourite play materials. For example, on return home from toddler group some children sit and watch child-centred television programmes whilst others play with electronic games such as 'Leap Pad'. Although there is provision of toys within easy access children know when they are tired and use the opportunity to select quieter activities that require less exertion.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very good at respecting each other's space and individuality of choices. They know to take turns and share equipment and to play together cooperatively such as when building the structure of the wooden train set. Children know that to complete the formation of the track they must negotiate the design and format of the structure in order that a completed circuit is made.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very competent in providing a range of stimulating activities which she prepares in readiness. Although informal planning mechanisms are in place to guide the childminder in promoting equal coverage of all areas of development this is not set in stone. The childminder is intuitive to the children's needs and recognises that on occasion other interests may take precedence. She is very skilled at taking her lead from the children and in implementing incidental learning. For example, children benefit in developing their mathematical skills as they count the number of pieces sharing the puzzle equally between them and sort the remaining piles into light and dark colour bands linking to the pictorial illustration on the box lid. The childminder has knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework but is yet to introduce this within her practice.

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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 good. Children's individual needs take high priority in this home-from-home provision. A strong working partnership with parents supports the individual care needs and delivery of service. Mutual respect, love and understanding all play an integral part of the childminder's practice. Children are exceptionally polite, courteous and respectful of the childminder and her home. They know the house rules and use social graces such as please and thank you without prompt. Children play an active part in their own learning. They make independent decisions in their play and the activities that they wish to participate in. They have positive levels of self-esteem and respect the opinions and actions of others because the childminder consistently praises their efforts and re-affirms their achievements, guiding their social and moral development. The childminder has devised and implemented a procedure for managing parental concerns in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

line with current legislative changes. This remain empty.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs take high priority in this well maintained and organised setting. The childminder prepares her home in readiness and dedicates her time purely to the children in attendance. A conscientious decision to work under her registration numbers means that children receive exceptional levels of support, both in play and in having their individual needs met. A flexible working partnership with parents and a commitment to promoting home-from-home care means that children become part of an extended family unit. Children confidently choose activities and extend their own play and learning in an imaginative way. Although the childminder has a vast majority of the required documentation in compliance with the National Standards, some records remain outstanding. An oversight by the childminder has meant that consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment in the absence of a main carer is still not in place. The

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Organisation

childminder was certain this information was gained, but confirmation of this was not available on inspection. In addition the childminder does not have a formal written fire evacuation procedure or a system for recording drills undertaken. Revision of written documentation will ensure full compliance to registration requirements. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure that Ofsted are notified of any significant changes. The childminder is now aware of the requirement and has since the implementation of the recommendation from her last inspection notified Ofsted of changes such as her recent house move and the purchase of a puppy. She was also required to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical aid or advice. Children's health care needs are potentially compromised as the childminder still requires to gain parental consent for seeking emergency medical intervention in the absence of the main carer. This has been an oversight, as the childminder believed all required consents were covered within her National Childminding Association contracts.

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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 the last inspection 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 outcomes for children under the age of three, by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure documentation is compliant with the National Standards requirements, this refers to a written fire evacuation procedure and a record of drills practised with the children and consent from parents for seeking emergency medical aid or advice.

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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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