Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344170 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2007 Inspection date Susan June Stone 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 October 2006. She lives in a semi detached house in the town of Westbury, Wiltshire. She lives with her two children, who are both aged over eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding, which offers lounge / diner, kitchen and toilet facilities. Sleeping facilities and additional toilet facilities are found upstairs.

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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. At present she is caring for four children. One child is cared for on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Household pets include a dog, three rabbits and a goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA)

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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. The children are cared for in a clean family home, they learn good procedures for their personal health and hygiene, through discussion and good examples set by the childminder. The childminder ensures that the toys and equipment used by the children are clean and safe to use and that surfaces are kept clean. The children are protected from illness and infection by the childminder's policy and awareness of dealing with sick children, and her clear routines for hygiene when changing nappies. Records of accidents and medication are in place. The childminder shares these records with parents to ensure the children's health care needs are consistently met. She has however, not obtained written consent from parents for seeking any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works well with parents to ensure that children’s dietary requirements, likes and dislikes are met. A variety of healthy meals and snacks are provided for the children by the childminder, which take account of any special dietary needs. Fresh produce is mostly used for meals which the childminder provides. As a result, children learn the benefits of healthy eating and are able to develop an understanding of the importance of eating a balanced diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are given the opportunity to develop their large motor skills by walking, running and climbing. The childminder organises each day to include outside play, a trip to the park or a walk to school or with the dog. These activities give the children the opportunity to benefit from the fresh air and to develop and improve their physical skills and co-ordination.

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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 secure family home in which high standards of safety are evident. The childminder provides a range of safe and well maintained furniture and equipment, which means that the varying needs of the children can be met. She ensures good levels of safety are maintained in all areas used by the children, for example, ensuring the children cannot access the kitchen, or the stairs, and ensuring socket covers are used and the front door remains locked when minded children are present. This helps to ensure children's safety at all time, and allows the children to move about freely and safely under the childminder’s supervision.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's home is well organised and child orientated, which allows the children to move about and play in comfort. Toys are stored at an appropriate level which means the children are able to choose toys and activities for themselves. The childminder monitors and supervises the toys that the children play with to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The space available is well organised to allow the children to play in comfort. Through the childminder providing a range of safe and well maintained furniture and equipment, the varying needs of the children are met, thus promoting their welfare and development. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe when at the setting and on outings. The childminder talks to them about safety such as, how to cross the road safely and

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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 sensibly. This helps the children to learn how to keep themselves safe and take some responsibility for themselves and their own safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about how to keep themselves safe when at the setting and on outings. The childminder talks to them about safety such as, how to cross the road safely and sensibly. This helps the children to learn how to keep themselves safe and take some responsibility for themselves and their own safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have developed good relationships with the childminder and her family, and they are confident and settled within the setting. Children's individual care routines are known and respected; for example, recognising and accommodating sleep routines and rest requirements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A good range of play opportunities and activities are available to the children, helping them to develop new skills and enjoy themselves, although these are not always specifically planned to encourage individual development. The childminder is familiar with the Birth to three matters framework but has not yet fully introduced it into the setting. The childminder is involved in the activities at an appropriate level. She interacts with the children with enthusiasm and enjoyment, and is encouraging and reassuring. She talks with the children, asking questions to make them think, which helps to build on their natural curiosity as learners. She talks about the different animals and pictures when playing a picture pairing game, helping to develop the children's communication skills. The children enjoy the cuddles and closeness when reading books together. They turn the pages and talk about the pictures and the story. The childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encourages the children to work together, share and take turns, like playing games together, taking turns to choose an animal nose from the bag. This helps the children to learn to respect and to co-operate with others. The children also benefit from regular outings to the park, library, and toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder is aware of the children's particular requirements and meets these well. The childminder interacts well with the children, and encourages them to feel valued and included, all children are respected as individuals. She provides a variety of toys and activities which portray positive images of diversity. Small world toys provide children with positive images of disability. This helps children to develop a respect of and have positive attitudes to others. Children have opportunities to learn about the world around them through first hand experiences, creative activities and books. Children enjoy regular visits to the library, local toddler groups, parks and other local amenities. This helps them to learn about their surroundings and how they fit into the community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond well to the consistent boundaries set by the childminder. The childminder has a calm approach and uses positive, sound methods for managing behaviour which makes the children feel valued. The childminder sets very good examples in her behaviour.

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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 At an early age the children are learning what is right from wrong. Manners are encouraged by the childminder, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you' to the younger children and babies during their play. Children are encouraged to share and have positive attitudes to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's friendly, yet professional relationship with parents. The childminder and parents work together to meet the children’s needs. Time is allowed daily to talk and share any necessary information concerning the children. This ensures that information can be exchanged and recorded, and allows for the children’s individual needs to be identified and addressed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised, welcoming family home where space is used effectively to meet children's play and care routines. They are cared for in a safe environment where they feel comfortable and secure. The childminder works well to ensure the care needs of the children are met.

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Organisation

Most documentation with regards to the childminding and care offered are in place and suitably maintained. However, permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment has not yet been obtained from parents. Systems are also not in place to record any significant incidents. The childminder has devised some policies and procedures are used well to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. They are shared with parents to keep them informed of the care offered and the children's activities. Parent's thoughts and contributions are valued and acknowledged. This helps the continuity of care and the meeting of individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she 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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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): • obtain written consent from parents for seeking any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • develop the use of the Birth to Three matters guidance, to plan and provide activities and opportunities that encourage children's individual learning and development. • ensure any significant incidents are suitably recorded

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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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