Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY219601 Unique Reference Number 02 April 2007 Inspection date Paula Jane Hayhow 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 2002. She lives with her husband and child aged one year in the town of Houghton Regis, close to Luton and Dunstable, in Bedfordshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden and a park available for outdoor play. The local schools and shops are within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, two of whom are under five years and one child who is over five years. All attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has tropical fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a comfortable, clean home and their health and overall development are well promoted. Children take part in a wide variety of physical activities, contributing to their good health. They are learning about developing control of their bodies through regular

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 opportunities for outdoor activities. These include visiting the local park to climb and balance on the climbing apparatus or playing in the garden on the slide. They also play cooperative games such as running and jumping races or football. The children are developing an understanding of their own physical needs. They know when they need a drink or rest and they will approach the childminder for help when needed. Children are able to participate in the activities offered because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child development to adapt the activities to a suitable level. She provides a stimulating environment for the children, allowing space for them to safely explore a range of movements, such as dancing or learning to walk encouraging both their physical and intellectual development.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children’s dietary needs are clearly understood and they are offered nutritious snacks and meals because the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. Their diet is well balanced and the childminder prepares meals using fresh ingredients and ensures that foods are low in fat, salt and sugar. Parents are fully informed of the options through discussion of the sample menu and the childminder seeking and documenting the children's likes and dislikes relating to food. Children are learning about the importance of personal hygiene, such as washing their hands before eating or after visiting the bathroom, covering their mouths when coughing and the importance of cleaning their teeth after meals. The childminder is able to promote these areas as she has good understanding of health and hygiene. She has devised and abides by her policy relating to this and makes sure that children are gaining the importance

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Helping children to be healthy

of keeping themselves healthy through discussion.

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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 stimulating, welcoming and child-orientated environment. The play room and conservatory are set up with various activities which are regularly changed to add interest and variety. The children use safe resources and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are stimulating and appropriate for the age and developmental stage of each child who attends. Children are able to independently select activities from a range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder carefully supervises the children’s choice of toys and activities, ensuring that they are safe and appropriate. Small items are not accessible when very young children are present. The children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has all of the necessary documents in place. She holds a current public liability insurance certificate and has attended training relating to child protection. She therefore has a good

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of the procedure should she have any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a secure and generally safe environment. Risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder is vigilant and has thought about her work in order to reduce potential hazards, for example, she carries out regular fire drills and the children have opportunity to practise road safety on their regular walks. The childminder, with the parents' permission, has explained to the older children the procedure to adopt regarding 'stranger danger' and has reinforced this message through resources such as books. However, the children's safety could be affected as they have access to potential hazards such as the garden debris and some of the children do not have access to appropriate sleeping equipment. Whilst the children have never had any accidents regarding these items the childminder is to make these areas of care safe for 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled. They enjoy their time with the childminder. She plans stimulating activities and is skilled and knowledgeable in her work. She has an understanding of relevant guidance such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum. She uses these and her knowledge gained from training courses to provide good quality care and promote children's learning and development in all areas. The children happily choose activities and resources and move confidently from room to room within the childminder's home. They have built up a good relationship with her and she joins in enthusiastically with their play. She is particularly good at responding to the children's questions and interests. The children are therefore given clear reasons and explanations, increasing their understanding of their environment and the wider world. For example, the children love to watch the birds nesting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and feeding from the conservatory window or plant seeds watching and discussing how big the flowers have grown. The children regularly enjoy craft activities such as painting and colouring and the childminder plans include festivals such as Bonfire night, Halloween and Chinese New Year.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy a varied, stimulating range of activities including imaginative play, crafts, construction and outdoor play. The children have opportunities to socialise with other children through regular attendance at the library craft and story sessions and at the local toddler groups. Their overall development is promoted well, and they are encouraged to explore and extend their knowledge because the childminder plans a broad range of activities and play opportunities that are thoughtfully adapted by the childminder so that all children are able to meaningfully participate. For example, when the children are painting the childminder ensures that the younger children can also join in by using their highchairs to facilitate their learning. All are pleased with their creations and some of the work is displayed on the playroom wall. The children's independence is fostered well as they freely make choices about toys, books and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities. The younger children are actively encouraged in their physical skills, for example, learning to take their first steps and proudly managing three or four.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures that she knows all of the children's individual needs and meets these well. Children's particular needs are discussed thoroughly with parents at placement time. Any special requirements are documented and sensitively met. The childminder appreciates the importance of providing a range of activities and resources to promote positive images of our society and increase children’s understanding of this. The children learn about their community on routine outings to the local parks, shops, library, zoo and farm. Children are encouraged to respect and appreciate other cultures and ways of life through discussion and craft work such as making scrapbooks relating to other countries customs, foods and houses, singing French songs and appreciating the plight of less fortunate children through special days such as Red Nose Day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's positive partnership with parents. There is a securing settling-in procedure which is carried out at the parents' and child's pace. The childminder keeps the parents well informed about their child's progress through planning sheets, daily dialogue, diaries and through an informative portfolio. This includes the childminder's qualification and working documents such as public liability insurance and written policies relating to the childminder's practice. Children show care and affection for one another and

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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 the childminder, cuddling each other when upset, handing favourite teddy bears to cheer little one and picking up dropped toy. Their behaviour is good and they are confident within the childminder's home, happily making choices about their play. This is further reinforced by the childminder's good understanding of the importance of setting consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children, praising them for a kind act or if they readily share and take turns in their play.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, children's needs are met. The childminder organises all aspects of her work very well, helping the children to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home. They are confident and can therefore organise their own play and learning. Their emotional and physical development is well promoted through the childminder's attention to detail in planning and organisation of her daily work. She ensures that children are offered a wide range of stimulating activities and opportunities and that all are able to participate.

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Organisation

The children's individual needs are well met by the childminder through her procedures to ensure that she has all relevant information relating to her childminding. For example, any particular routines, likes and dislikes are recorded on an 'All about me' sheet the parents fill in at placement time which gives the childminder extra knowledge of the children in her care. The childminder regularly discusses and reviews this with parents. The childminder improves her childminding practice through ongoing training enabling her to gain current information and new ways of working thus increasing her knowledge of supporting the children in her care. All persons living on her premises have been checked for their suitability and the childminder is vigilant in ensuring that she supervises the children at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked at the previous inspection to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She was also asked to obtain a copy of child protection procedures for the local authority and make sure that all low-level glass is made safe or inaccessible to the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has acquired toys to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice such as books, dolls, craftwork, figures, fruit and vegetable from around the world and puzzles. She has attended a child protection training course and has all the necessary documents relating to this. She has covered her conservatory glass with safety film to ensure the safety of the children. These measures further improve the children's safety, welfare and security.

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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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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 that hazards to children on the premises are minimised with reference to the sleeping arrangements and the debris in garden.

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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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