King Sharon

Inspection report for early years provision

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252653 Unique Reference Number 07 February 2007 Inspection date Ros Church 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 registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and her adult daughter and son in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire. Minded children have access to the ground floor, with toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor 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. She currently cares for four children under five years, of whom one is full-time. She also cares for one child over five and two over eight years after school and during school holidays. 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 in a warm, welcoming and clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through good explanations and routines. Children wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They have their own towel which is changed daily and face cloths. The childminder follows good procedures when changing nappies to prevent cross-infection. Parents are aware of the childminder's sick child policy, understanding she does not care for children who are unwell. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and can therefore deal appropriately with any accidents that children may have.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a routine which incorporates lots of physical exercise and fresh air. The routine of the day includes walking to and from school. They enjoy regular visits to the local parks where they use a range of equipment to develop their climbing skills. They participate in various ball and running games. Within the home children enjoy dancing, physical exercises and joining in with action songs and rhymes. Children use a range of equipment within the garden which promote physical activity, these include a tent and tunnel, various wheeled toys such as a tractor and tricycle, stilts for different abilities and opportunities to play with the sand and water in the summer months.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and diet. They enjoy a good range of healthy snacks which include fruit. The childminder works well with the parents to ensure children's individual dietary requirements and routines are met. Parents usually provide a packed lunch for their child, these are stored and served appropriately. Children learn about eating healthily through various activities which help them to learn about what foods are good to eat and which are not. Children are provided with regular drinks throughout their time at the childminder, and they are able to access additional drinks as they require, this ensures that they do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel secure in the well-maintained environment where they have space within the lounge diner to enjoy various activities. Toys and equipment are well-maintained and stored at a low level within either the lounge area or the hall, this enables children to make choices within their play. Babies and toddlers have space to explore and move freely, with the childminder ensuring that they cannot access toys which are not suitable for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is a high priority and effectively maintained through the childminder's good understanding and practice. Regular checks are made within the home to ensure that potential hazards are minimised. For example, any hazardous cleaning materials are kept out of reach of children, and when the fire is used a fixed guard is in place. Good security procedures are in place, outer doors are kept locked whilst childminding, and only authorized persons are allowed to collect children. The childminder tests smoke alarms regularly to ensure that they will work effectively if needed, there is a written fire drill which is practised regularly with the children,

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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 this helps them to learn what to do in the event of a fire. Children learn to keep themselves safe when on outings, they follow simple rules such as holding the childminder's hand and looking and listening when crossing the roads. Children are protected and their welfare safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, confident and settled within the childminder's care. They are able to be independent and choose from a range of toys and equipment which are easily accessible within the play areas. For example, a young child chooses to sit quietly and look at a book, whilst other children choose to play with the pretend kitchen. Children make good relationships with the childminder and one another, they share and take turns during play and enjoy being in each others' company. The childminder plans and provides a range of activities, these include various craft and creative play such as painting, colouring and playdough, she adapts the activity to meet the child's level of development. Babies and young children's language skills develop as the childminder constantly interacts with them and becomes involved in their play. However, the childminder is not yet familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework to enable her to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

fully extend the range and stimulus of activities available to younger children and babies. Children's confidence and self-esteem is developing as the childminder listens to them, and provides encouragement as they take part in the activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the setting, the childminder respects and values their backgrounds and individuality, treating them with equal concern. She takes account of information supplied by the parents with regards to children's individual needs. She talks daily with parents to keep them informed of children's care and activities that they have been involved in, and gives out children's art work to take home. Satisfactory systems are in place to include children with additional needs. Children are beginning to learn about their community through local outings, such as visits to parks, childminding groups and activities organised by Sure Start, which include toddler and messy play sessions. Children have some opportunities to learn about the wider world through conversations with the childminder and practical activities. However, there are a limited range of resources which support children's independent learning about diversity in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

society or that foster a positive attitude towards similarities and differences. Children behave well within the childminder's care and play co-operatively together. They learn to share and take turns with equipment and activities, such as taking turns during a game of 'Pairs'. Children are aware of the house 'rules' and learn to take care of the equipment such as tidying away after they have finished playing with an activity.

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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 satisfactory. Children have satisfactory levels of support and supervision to enable them to feel secure in the environment. The childminder organises the ground floor of her home, so children can eat, play and rest in comfort, all are equally encouraged to access the toys and resources on offer. Children benefit from having continuity of care as the childminder collates relevant information to meet their needs. Records required for the safe and efficient running of the setting are in place and confidentiality is ensured. All required vetting procedures have been carried out within the household to ensure children's safety. The childminder keeps up-to-date with all required training, such as first aid, enabling her to run her business safely and deal promptly with any accidents that occur when children are in her care. 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 agreed to ensure that she agrees developmentally appropriate methods of managing children's behaviour with parents before the placement begins, with relation to a behaviour management policy; to ensure that all children have equal access to the appropriate range of activities and facilities that promote equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agrees the methods of managing children's behaviour prior to children starting at the setting. This ensures that parents are more aware of the childminder's procedures and that children's welfare is promoted. She has obtained dolls, and provides some activities which promote equality of opportunity, however, this continues to be an area for development.

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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 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):

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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 • develop knowledge and understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to further planning and provision for children from birth to three • develop the range of play materials which reflect diversity in society and help children learn to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences.

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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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