Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY314287 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2007 Inspection date Valerie Thomas 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 2005 and works in conjunction with a co-childminder. She lives with her husband in Newcastle under Lyme. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children all on a part-time basis, except for one. The childminder transports children to and from nearby schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog.

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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 benefit from the clear hygiene routines and procedures implemented by the childminder. Children know that they need to wash their hands before lunch and show their hands saying they are clean and not dirty. There are written hygiene policies in place for nappy changing which help to prevent cross-contamination. There is a clear policy in place for excluding sick and infectious children which helps to limit the spread of infection and a list of communicable diseases that need to be notified to Ofsted are detailed. This promotes the good health of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most precautions are taken to ensure the health and safety of children when the dog is present. All health checks are in place and the childminder does not leave the dog alone with children at any time. Although there are boundaries set so that children should not go near to the dog's feeding bowls, they are accessible. This has the potential to compromise children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy and nutritional meals are provided by the childminder which encourages children to develop a positive approach to healthy eating. Children choose toast and beans for their lunch followed by banana and yoghurt which they thoroughly enjoy. They help themselves to drinks as they play. Menus are planned in advance and a copy is given to parents. Routines are flexible and children are able to rest according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activities are promoted well in the setting. Younger children are taken swimming each week and often visit local toddler groups where they have space to run around and play on large apparatus. Older children are taken to the local park in the summer and go for walks in the local community. This encourages children to develop their physical skills and a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is maintained and organised well. The main playroom is welcoming to children with colour charts and number posters displayed. There is a wide range of good quality toys which are organised in storage boxes and tubs around the room and creative materials are available on shelving in the kitchen. Consequently, children are able to make decisions about their play as they confidently choose a book from the box to share with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety is promoted well within the setting. Rotas are in place to ensure toys and equipment are safe and good precautions are taken to ensure safety and security both inside and out. All doors are kept locked and there is a padlock on the outside gate. Children learn about safety in the home through clear boundaries set by the childminder. They know that they need to leave a hot drink to cool and learn how to walk upstairs and down safely when going to the toilet. Regular fire drills are held and the childminder describes how the children enjoy running outside to safety when the alarm sounds. Safety for children when taken outside is promoted well. There are clear written procedures for outings and children learn that they should not

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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 cross the road behind a parked car. This helps children take responsibility for keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and the correct procedures for reporting any concerns. There is a written policy in place which is given to parents and details of the relevant organisation to contact are displayed in the main playroom. This helps to ensure children are protected from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a wide range of activities which help children to learn and have fun. They enjoy sharing stories with the childminder as they press the buttons on the book to ring the doorbell and make the dog laugh. Children concentrate well as they sit and complete jigsaws and their learning is extended as the childminder encourages them to complete more complicated ones. Children's language skills are constantly developed as they are encouraged to name the objects and colours on the jigsaw pieces and talk about the story. Counting skills are developed well as they count the stairs as they come down from the toilet saying '10' when they reach the bottom. Children's imagination is promoted as they play with the home corner equipment and use a pretend cloth to wipe up the cup of tea they say they have spilt. As a result of the range of activities provided children's interest is maintained well and they are constantly

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

engaged in activities, having an enjoyable time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. Positive and caring interaction takes place and children receive comfort from the childminder when they have hurt their arm. Their independence is developing well. They use a step so that they can wash their own hands ready for their lunch and put their spoon in the sink and empty the yoghurt pot in the bin when they have finished eating. Consequently, children are becoming confident in their self-care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Opportunities for children to learn about the wider world are good. Younger ones are taken to local toddler groups several times a week and swimming once a week. All children are taken for walks in the local area. This helps them to develop their social skills when out in the local community. There is a varied range of resources and activities to promote positive images of different cultures, gender and disability. There are books, home corner equipment and jigsaws. This helps to raise children's awareness of diversity. Although there are no children currently attending with learning difficulties or disabilities the childminder has a suitable understanding of the need to ensure inclusion for all. She fully understands the need to discuss all needs with parents to help children progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Appropriate methods are used to manage a range of children's behaviour. Distraction and talking to children about what they have done is used most often. Children respond positively to the clear boundaries set, turning back to the dinner table when reminded and saying 'thank

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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 you' for the banana. Good use of praise helps to build children's self-esteem well and children respond saying 'I love you' to the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The relationships developed with parents are positive. A pack is given to all parents with all of the relevant policies to ensure they are fully informed of how the setting operates. All individual needs are discussed and recorded for each child and records are stored confidentially. Younger children's well-being and what they have done while at the setting is recorded in a diary and is shared with parents. For older children daily discussion keeps parents informed. There are written agreements in place with each parent. However, written consent to seek emergency medical advice and to transport children in a vehicle is not included for all children. This does not ensure that children's welfare is fully safeguarded.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There is a very detailed operational plan in place which includes written policies and procedures to promote the well-being of children. Consequently, the childminder has a good knowledge of the National Standards. All records kept of attendance, accident and medication meet regulations. The childminder meets all training requirements. She has completed an 'Introduction to Childminding Practice' course and has a current first aid certificate. In addition the childminder is currently undertaking a diploma in home based caring. This contributes to the quality of good care provided.

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Organisation

Children are at home in the well organised environment. The childminder works well with the co-childminder to ensure children's needs are met. She is able to prepare the lunch while the co-childminder plays with the children. School runs are completed between the two childminders, each collecting from different schools. The childminder is caring with children and their learning is extended well. Overall children's needs are met.

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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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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 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): • ensure the pet's feeding bowls are not generally accessible to children • ensure the written agreements with parents include consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and transporting children in a vehicle.

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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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