Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340865 Unique Reference Number 26 April 2007 Inspection date Lesley Barrett 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and their two-year-old son in Grantham. The childminder also has two teenage step-daughters who visit during school holidays. All ground floor rooms are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden which is used for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years. She is currently caring for two children under five years part-time. The childminder is able to walk to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children and attends a local toddler group. She also uses a car for childminding purposes. The family have a pet cat.

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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 are cared for in a warm clean home. Their development is effectively promoted as the childminder has good procedures and practices which meet their physical, dietary and health needs. Children benefit from regular routines as the childminder is introducing good hygiene procedures such as washing their hands prior to them eating or after they have touched the cat. This helps them to learn about good hygiene and prevent cross-contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are clearly recorded; their likes, dislikes and parents' preferences are respected by the childminder. Children's meals are currently provided by parents. However, the childminder is able to provide healthy and nutritious snacks and cooked meals using fresh ingredients should the parents require them. The childminder recognises the need for children to have regular drinks and encourages them to do so to ensure that they are adequately hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with opportunities to explore and develop physical control through a wide range of activities and experiences. They have regular visits to the park, where they are able to run around and use the static equipment. They also enjoy visiting toddler groups and participating in physical activities. Within the home they are able to play in the garden on a variety of toys such as a swing, slide and see-saw to develop their physical control.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for using appropriate equipment and the childminder ensures that this is safe as she carries out regular checks. Children can independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder monitors their choice of toys and activities ensuring that they are safe and appropriate, but allows them sufficient freedom to explore and make decisions about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in an environment where most risks have been identified and minimised. Regular checks are carried out to ensure that possible safety hazards are addressed. For example, sharp corners have protectors fitted and a stairgate prevents children's unsupervised access into the kitchen. However, a free standing shelving unit currently poses a hazard. Children learn about the importance of keeping themselves safe. For example, the childminder explains why they should not climb up onto toys. All necessary fire safety precautions are in place and the childminder practises emergency evacuation procedures with the children. This helps to ensure that she and the children are familiar with processes to be followed in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has all necessary documentation in place which would allow her to act in the event of an emergency. She ensures that she has children's contact details readily available when inside and outside the home. She is aware of the need to inform parents of her duty to protect children, maintain appropriate records and the procedures to be taken should she have any concerns about a child in her care.

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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 well settled and happy in the childminder's home. They have built up good relationships with the childminder who joins in enthusiastically with their play and shows that she genuinely enjoys their company. They have opportunities to develop their social skills by playing alongside other children and learning to share toys and the childminder's attention. A 'home from home' environment is provided and the children have regular opportunities to experience activities outside the home such as going to the shops, local groups and visiting the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder recognises the needs of younger children; her warm, patient and tactile manner helps to reassure them. They enjoy playing with musical and discovery toys helping to enhance their curiosity. Their mobility is developing as the childminder ensures that there are sturdy pieces of furniture for them to pull themselves up on, as they practise their newly emerging walking skills. The childminder interacts appropriately with the children; she talks to them as they are playing, encouraging their development and praising their achievements. This helps to promote children's self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from flexible plans that the childminder has in place. These include a wide variety of activities such as craft, messy play, outdoor play, building bricks, and using role play equipment. This helps to ensure that their all-round development is being promoted through their everyday play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as the childminder ensures that she is aware of their individual needs and is able to meet these consistently. Their daily routines are discussed with parents and the childminder adheres to these as much as possible, helping children to feel secure and comfortable. The childminder has developed good relationships with parents, which contributes to their well-being. Information regarding the child's activities and experiences is shared with the parents on a daily basis through informal discussion on arrival and collection of children. This enables the childminder to share relevant information about each child and ensures that parents are kept fully informed about their care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's knowledge and understanding of other cultures and ways of life is promoted through the childminder's positive outlook and approach. Through visits to various places such as shops, the park and town centre, children learn about their local community. A range of toys and books are available to increase children's awareness of the wider society. The childminder is aware of the information she would need to obtain to ensure that appropriate care could be provided for children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. The childminder uses positive techniques, which are beneficial to calming children down. For example, she uses distraction and diverts children's attention by providing a different activity. Good use is made of praise and encouragement through play and everyday activities, helping to promote children's self-esteem.

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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 good. Overall, children's needs are met. They are able to feel relaxed as the childminder organises her premises, time and resources effectively. The varying daily requirements of younger children are consistently met by the childminder, who confidently adapts her routine and activity plans to ensure that their changing needs are met. She allows time for children to sleep or settle and gives them one-to-one attention when needed.

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Organisation

Children's overall welfare and development is promoted as the childminder has a clear understanding of the care and educational needs of children. She has attended the necessary training required when registering to support her day-to-day management of her childminding service. The childminder maintains appropriate documentation and information, however recording of children's attendance is not currently of the required standard to ensure children's care is not compromised. A good range of policies and procedures is in place and the childminder uses a combination of self-designed forms and documents provided by the National Childminding Association to ensure consistency in her recording details. Documents are very well organised and stored confidently.

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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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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 furniture, particularly the free standing shelving unit does not pose a hazard to children • ensure that the recording of children's attendance shows their exact times of arrival and departure.

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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 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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