Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342949 Unique Reference Number 12 April 2007 Inspection date Rachel Wyatt 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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, six and three months in a house in Bromsgrove. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. All of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Children also go on local walks and outings, for example to nearby playing fields, parks and the library. The childminder works with an assistant.

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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 five school age children who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for one child. The family have a dog, two rabbits and a goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Support is available for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. 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 satisfactory. Children are looked after in a comfortable, clean home. The childminder ensures areas are suitable for children's use through daily cleaning and periodic washing of toys. The childminder is mindful of the importance of ensuring the family pets are fit and healthy, and that areas where they are fed and housed are kept clean or out of bounds to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children confidently manage their own personal hygiene with sensitive help and gentle reminders from the childminder. Their health is satisfactorily promoted as the childminder seeks relevant information about their health, diet and medical history, including details of any immunisations. Should children become unwell they receive prompt treatment and their parents are informed. As part of her arrangements and agreements with parents, the childminder ensures they are aware of exclusion periods for certain kinds of illnesses. However, children's health is compromised in an emergency as parents' written permission has not been obtained to the childminder seeking medical advice and treatment. The contents of her first aid box are also limited. In other respects she is adequately prepared for managing any accidents and administering medication. The childminder is attending a forthcoming first aid course.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular exercise, enjoying walks and outings. They devise games to music and play a variety of ball games, including football on nearby playing fields. They confidently use physical play equipment and apparatus in the garden. Children's rest needs are also met as they can relax, for instance during story times and when playing with a good range of table top games or quieter activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They are offered a good breakfast, varied snacks and cooked meals which provide a balance of popular foods, as well as vegetables and fruit. Parents provide children's lunches. Snack and meal times are relaxed and sociable. Children are well hydrated as they have regular drinks of water and squash. Children also have opportunities to discuss eating healthily, including creating their own poster of healthy foods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a safe and secure home. External doors and gates are secured, hazardous items are out of reach and the outside play area is enclosed. Parents' and children's safe arrivals and departures are aided by the use of a side entrance to the premises. Good use of safety equipment, such as safety gates, door 'slam stoppers', blind cord winders and corner protectors, help to minimise hazards. Accidents are few as the childminder supervises children but ensures they also take responsibility for their own safety, for example when using equipment and when moving around the premises. Indoors they are expected to follow the agreed 'house rule' of no running. When out children learn about road safety. Their parents give written permission to children travelling in any vehicle and the childminder ensures they use age-appropriate car safety restraints or seats. Vehicles are correctly insured and maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use age-appropriate equipment and toys and are encouraged to help look after these. They help with tidying toys away and ensuring circulation and play areas are free from trip hazards. Items are safely stored in designated boxes.

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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 Children are looked after in an emergency. They have had opportunities to discuss fire evacuations in line with the childminder's written escape plan. Relevant fire detection equipment and a fire blanket are located on the premises. She has also agreed arrangements with parents for their children's care if anything untoward happens to her. She has parents' contact details ready to hand, and they have agreed to these details being made available to those persons nominated to provide care for their children in such circumstances. Parents have met the other childminder and the childminder's husband who are to provide her emergency cover.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder ensures that school and home-time collections are well managed so they leave with the correct person. Children are sensitively introduced to issues relating to their personal safety, so they understand about staying close to the childminder during outings for their own protection. The childminder plans to further develop her understanding of safeguarding children procedures by attending a forthcoming course.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have an enjoyable range of activities. They are settled and play well together, talking about what they are doing. The childminder is interested in what children are saying and doing. She encourages their conversations and shows them how different toys work or can be used to extend their play. Children readily describe different scenarios and recall things they have seen. As a result their play with farm animals becomes both involved and often imaginative, but also leads to good discussions about different features of animals and their habitats. On this, and other, occasions children's thinking is really encouraged by the childminder's adept questioning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are imaginative and creative. They make models and paint these, describing what they have made. They like drawing and enjoy musical games. They appreciate books and stories, visiting the library to select their own books which are displayed and easily accessible. Children respond enthusiastically to the childminder's quizzes which encourage their recall of a story just read to them, such as the 'Pied Piper of Hamelin'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's independence and choice is fostered, so they are often self-motivated in their play, for example quietly drawing or playing fun outdoor games together. Children have good relationships with each other. The childminder joins in to ensure those who are less confident can fully participate. Children appreciate the variety of toys available and they can help themselves to many of these. In addition to promoting children's free choice, the childminder ensures she has set out ready some interesting items for the next part of any session, for example fun card games, threading, a mini woodwork activity and 'fuzzy felt faces'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel valued and develop a sense of belonging because their ideas are encouraged, for example when painting and making models or whilst completing a pictorial and written list of their favourite things. They have their own personally decorated work folders and photographs are displayed of their activities, such as their Halloween and Christmas parties. Each child has a named box for their possessions. Children's views about what they want to do are acknowledged. Children become aware of different aspects of diversity through books and games. They also have opportunities to discuss and describe their own and other people's reactions and feelings in different situations. Children's differing abilities and characteristics

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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 are understood by the childminder. In line with her special needs policy, she ensures each child can take an active part in what she provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and have good relationships with each other. They discuss and agree 'house rules' which are displayed. Any inappropriate remarks or behaviour is quietly challenged and explained in a way children can understand. Positive behaviour, such as turn taking or being polite, is fostered during activities and routines, for example children share paints or demonstrate good manners during meals. They are helpful, for instance assisting with putting away toys before getting out another activity. Children's efforts and achievements are praised, including acknowledging good behaviour on the 'behaviour zone' board.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents appreciate the quality of the childminder's care. In general parents are able to express their wishes about their children's care, for example through discussions and agreements with the childminder. Effective settling in arrangements, and discussions about the childminder's expectations, procedures and written policies, ensure that parents and carers are well informed about her provision. Parents have regular verbal feedback about their children's activities and routines. Should parents have any concerns, the childminder's complaints policy clearly states what they should do, including how to contact Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Parents are reassured as the childminder ensures they are aware of her suitability. They are shown evidence that she and her husband are vetted and her certificate of registration is displayed on the premises. They are made aware of training courses she has attended and of her insurance arrangements. She makes sure parents know about the types of activities their children take part in.

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Organisation

Children benefit from being included very much as part of the childminder's family. Her premises are child-friendly with examples of their artwork and activities displayed, and designated places for them to put their work and possessions. Children enjoy smoothly run activities and routines so that the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. They play with interesting toys and resources.

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Organisation

Children's care is generally effectively supported by documentation. Records and information are stored and managed in line with the childminder's confidentiality policy. Required details are in place regarding children and their parents. Apart from one omission, relevant agreements are obtained from parents to support their children's well-being. 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): • improve provision for children's health by maintaining a correctly stocked first aid box, and by requesting written parental permission, at the time of the placement, to the seeking of any emergency medical advice and treatment.

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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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