Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335416 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2007 Inspection date Noreen Elizabeth Appleby 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 their two children, aged two years and six years, in a house close to Stanley town centre. There are schools, pre-schools and toddler groups nearby; as well as shops, parks and local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor and the older child's bedroom are available for childminding purposes. Toilet and hand washing facilities are on the first floor. The front garden and the back yard are both used for outdoor play.

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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. She is currently minding four children, aged from five months to seven years, as well as one child over eight years of age. She regularly takes young children to local toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She also maintains informal links with other local childminders.

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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. The childminder discusses children’s health requirements with parents. She has sound plans in place to ensure medication is appropriately administered and recorded. The childminder has completed a suitable first aid course, which enables her to handle children’s accidents competently. Parents are informed of the sickness policy and of the childminder’s expectation that children do not attend the setting when they are infectious or ill. This helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection amongst the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Regular daily routines ensure the premises are clean and in a good state of repair. However, a table used for play activities was not cleaned before being used for lunch; thereby potentially compromising health and hygiene arrangements for children. The childminder practises good nappy changing arrangements, such as using disposable gloves and cleaning the changing mat with antibacterial spray between uses; thereby contributing towards children’s health. Children are learning to manage their personal hygiene needs independently, for example, as they wash their hands before meals or after toileting. They use their own face cloths and towels to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activities that contribute towards their good health. Babies play with the activity gym or explore the tactile floor cushion. They are learning to roll, crawl and develop good hand-to-eye coordination as they use small hand-held toys. Older children enjoy playing in the garden and going to the park or to toddler groups. They are developing physical skills as they run around, play football, use ride-on toys or play on large equipment, such as the slide or climbing frame. Children are able to rest or be active, according to their individual needs. The childminder knows children’s rest routines well. She ensures children have their comforters and she uses routines that help them to rest without disturbance. She checks sleeping children regularly to ensure their safety and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a suitable range of healthy, nutritious meals and snacks appropriate to their individual dietary needs. They also have occasional treats, such as crisps or chocolate, although they are encouraged to make healthy choices. They sit together for meals. They use their own utensils and are learning to feed themselves. The childminder works closely with parents, developing babies' weaning routines and completing daily diaries to keep parents informed of their child’s daily food intake. Children are offered regular drinks, such as milk, water or juice, to keep them adequately hydrated throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm, welcoming environment which is well organised to meet their needs. They mainly use the comfortable family lounge and the dining room for indoor activities, although one of the children's bedrooms is also available to older children. Children therefore benefit from a spacious and stimulating play and learning environment. Areas are well set out with a broad range of toys and resources, which are stored accessibly to promote children’s

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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 freedom of choice and independence. Good use is also made of the garden, which has a good variety of large outdoor equipment that enhances children's physical play. All resources and equipment are regularly checked and maintained in a clean, safe condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is given careful consideration. The childminder ensures children are closely supervised and she takes good steps to minimise potential hazards, indoors and out. For example, hazardous materials, glassware and sharp knives are stored out of children’s reach. Sleeping babies are closely monitored and regularly checked. Safety equipment, such as socket covers and safety gates, are in place. Children are well protected regarding fire safety. A formal evacuation procedure has been identified and is regularly practised with children, so they know what to do in an emergency. Smoke detectors are also appropriately maintained and a fire blanket is available in the kitchen. Children are also learning to keep themselves safe. For example, they are learning to tidy resources away regularly so they do not trip over them. They are encouraged to walk carefully whilst going up or down the stairs and to use good road safety

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

practices when they are walking outdoors. Children’s transportation arrangements are appropriately met. The childminder ensures they use suitable car seats or restraints and formal outings and transportation agreements are maintained with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is effectively prioritised regarding matters of child protection. The childminder has completed relevant training and is knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has sound plans in place to ensure children’s existing injuries are fully recorded and that she complies with the requirements of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children’s care and well-being are effectively met. Children’s care plans are thoroughly discussed and agreed with parents, both at the initial visit and on daily basis, in order that each child’s individual needs are continually well met. Regular daily routines take good account of children's preferences, as well as school runs and regular outings. Children are forming positive relationships with the childminder and with each other. They have good opportunities to play individually or to enjoy group activities, such as going to the toddler group. This helps them to develop social skills and to form relationships with other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Daily activities build upon children’s individual interests and extend their learning well. Children are increasing their emotional capabilities as they have good opportunities to interact positively with each other and with the childminder. Regular dressing up and role play activities help them to develop imagination. They enjoy art and craft activities, which promote their creativity well. Their finished art work is displayed in the kitchen, enabling children to take pride in their achievements. Children are learning mathematical skills through good activities, such as matching games, shape sorters and action rhymes that teach them about number and shape. They are also developing a good appreciation for the written word through handling books independently or listening to stories. The childminder ensures children are effectively challenged and extended across all areas of their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children and their families are suitably valued and respected as individuals. The childminder discusses children’s individual needs with parents in order to ensure any special requirements are fully met. Children’s gender issues are adequately promoted through free choice of equipment. Children have occasional opportunities to learn about differing abilities, diversity and the wider world, although relevant resources and activities are limited. However, they are developing a good sense of community through regular outings, for example, as they go to toddler groups, the park, the library or to soft play sessions. They have regular opportunities to contribute towards decisions, such as talking about meals, activities and outings. The childminder takes time to listen to them and respects their thoughts and opinions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to manage their behaviour well as a result of the childminder using positive behaviour management practices, suited to children’s levels of understanding and maturity. For example, realistic boundaries are set and sensitively reinforced and the childminder uses positive speech, body language and clear explanations so children know what is expected of them. As a result, they are generally well behaved. They are learning to play cooperatively, sharing and having consideration for one another. They benefit from purposeful praise and encouragement, which enhances their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder values good working relationships with parents and carers. They benefit from informative introductory visits that help children to settle in comfortably. Children’s usual routines are fully discussed and agreed with parents or carers. Formal policy statements are appropriately used to share information about children’s care and learning and associated contracts and agreements are effectively maintained. The childminder shares information on a daily basis, both verbally and using children's individual diaries, to keep parents and carers up to date regarding their child’s progress and other relevant issues. Very positive comments have been received from parents confirming that they are very happy with the quality of care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment and regular, yet flexible, routines; both of which support children’s welfare effectively. As a result, they are very happy and settled. Suitable regulatory ratios allow children to be well supported and contribute towards their safety and care. Children have good opportunities to initiate and extend their own play and learning and to develop at their own pace. The childminder asks questions and interacts positively with them, to ensure they are effectively challenged and extended.

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Organisation

Comprehensive documentation systems are well organised and effectively used to record relevant information and to share information thoroughly with parents. Formal policy statements and children’s personal records are well used to ensure information is consistently shared, as well as identifying the good practices that support children’s care and well-being. All necessary contracts and agreements are drafted and competently maintained in line with the requirements of the National Standards. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards her childminding

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and demonstrates a strong commitment to her role. She has completed a relevant first aid course and child protection training and is beginning to familiarise herself with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework in order to enhance her knowledge, skills and childminding practice.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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): • improve catering arrangements by ensuring surfaces are cleaned and appropriate hygiene arrangements are met • continue to develop opportunities for children to learn about diversity and the wider world.

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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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