Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY315222 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2007 Inspection date Lilyanne Taylor 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 satisfactory. 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 to work at the premises of another childminder in 2006. She works from a mid-terrace house which is situated in a residential area of Cowes on the Isle of Wight. All areas of the home are suitable for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are within walking distance to local schools, pre-schools, library, shops and parks. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Currently there are 10 children on roll, all of whom attend part-time.

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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 protected from the spread of germs and infection most of the time through the effective procedures and practices the childminder has in place. The premises are kept clean and all surfaces are wiped prior to the preparation and serving of food. Children are becoming aware of their own personal hygiene through daily routines. For example, younger children have their hands wiped prior to eating, after toileting and after they have engaged in messy play activities. Equipment, such as babies’ high chairs and feeding utensils are sterilised after use. However, toys, such as musical instruments are not. As a result, children are not fully protected from the spread of germs and infection. Appropriate procedures are in place for administering medication and for dealing with injuries. The childminder seeks the necessary permission to be able to deal with emergency first aid situations and all accidents to children

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Helping children to be healthy

are shared with parents. Children are protected from the spread of illness through the clear policies in place regarding the attendance of sick children. Children, who become sick while attending the childminder, are cared for sensitively until their parents arrive. Younger children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs and all bedding is laundered after each child's use. Children experience and enjoy a range of outdoor activities which contributes to their good health and physical development. They have access to the rear garden and are taken on regular walks around the local area where they visit the park and the library. While at the park children have the opportunity to play on large equipment such as a slide, swing and roundabout. Children are provided with a selection of meals and snacks which are healthy and nutritious. Meals supplied by the childminder consist of toast and cereals for breakfast, fresh meat, pasta

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Helping children to be healthy

and vegetables for lunch and snacks consist of fresh fruit and breadsticks. These comply with all their dietary requirements which ensure they remain healthy. Children are regularly offered drinks which ensure they do not go thirsty. Appropriate procedures are in place and agreed with parents for the re-heating/cooking of meals that they provide from home for their children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure environment, which is effectively organised to enable them to move around safely. All toys and equipment are appropriate for the age range of children attending. However, although the childminder checks the toys children use to ensure they are safe, she does not ensure they are all maintained in a good working order. The premises are kept secure and systems in place ensure only authorised persons gain entry. Children are able to access the toys and resources made available to them safely. Good systems and procedures are in place for the collection of children; children are only allowed to be collected by persons their parents have authorised. Although the childminder keeps a record of children attending these are not consistently filled in each day to show the actual time they are present. In addition to this it is not always clear to see whose care the children are in; the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

does not work full time so at times children are in the sole charge of another childminder that is registered to work from these premises. As a result children's safety is compromised. Although a monitor is located in the room children sleep in and another in the room the childminder is in, regular checks are not carried out on sleeping children to ensure they are safe. Children are

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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 able to exit the premises safely in the event of an emergency; regular fire practises are carried out and recorded. The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures she is required to follow with any concerns she may have and is fully aware of the different types of abuse and the signs to look for. The childminder is aware of the procedures she should follow should an allegation of abuse be made against her or any other persons living or working in the household. In addition to this systems are in place to record any injuries children may come in with. As a result children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and well cared for. They are provided with a relaxed, home-from-home environment, which meets their individual needs and makes them feel secure. Children relate well to the childminder and enjoy her company. Younger children are assisted by the childminder to develop new skills; for example she demonstrates to children how to place a bell shaker on their wrist so they can join in with musical activities and helps them assemble a train track. However, at times children are not always able to gain the most enjoyment from the activities they have chosen; battery powered items are not checked prior to children's use to ensure they are in good working order. Children enjoy playing alongside one another; they share play items and take turns. Children develop their hand and eye-co-ordination while drawing and cutting out shapes from model making materials. Children respond well to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

praise they are given in recognition of their achievements which raises their confidence and self esteem. Children enjoy looking at books and sit attentively to listen to stories being read. They visit the local library to select books they would like to take back to the childminders. Children confidently tell the childminder the names of the songs they would like to sing and do the actions to songs they know well. For example, during Row, Row, Row your Boats, children choose who they want to be with and sit facing one another, rocking back and forth while holding hands singing the song.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to make their own choices of activities from the range of resources available. They are learning how to respect and care for the toys because they are encouraged to help the childminder carefully pack them away when they have finished playing. Children are becoming aware of the boundaries and behavioural expectations of the setting through the consistent guidance they receive, which is appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children benefit from the good working relationship the childminder establishes with parents. She obtains information from them about their child's needs which contributes significantly to their well-being. The effective two way sharing of information on a daily basis ensures children are provided with continuity of care and their individual needs met. New children feel welcomed and secure. They are able to attend pre-visits with their parents so they get to know the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder and the environment in which they will be cared for. Children's initial hours of attendance are able to be flexible. The childminder explains to parents the operational procedures of the provision and gives them a copy of the policies and procedures she works to which ensures the child's transition from home to the childminder's is smooth. Children settle

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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 well in a home from home environment and enjoy the childminder's company. Parents are informed of the procedures they should follow if they have any views or concerns about the provision. The childminder has appropriate systems in place for recording complaints, and procedures she would follow include responding to parents and informing them of the action she has taken in addressing any views or concerns they have expressed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well cared for by a suitably experienced and qualified childminder. Most procedures and policies in place contribute to children's health, safety and well-being. The childminder provides a friendly environment where children feel at home and at ease. Children feel confident and secure in the childminder's company. They can be easily supervised while they play and are able to move freely around the lower floor of the premises. Indoor play space is laid out to maximise children's play opportunities and experiences. Parents are welcomed into the home and kept well informed of the care provided for their children. The childminder displays her registration certificate for parents to see and a poster displayed informs them of the procedures they should follow if they wish to express their views of the provision to the regulatory body. Documentation that requires parental permission is sought for all children and most records

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Organisation

are maintained as required. The childminder is aware the information she holds about children is confidential so is careful to keep it safe. 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 satisfactory. 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 children's records of attendance are consistently filled in to show the actual hours they are present and whose care they are in • ensure toys children place in the mouth are cleaned after each child's use • improve the procedures for monitoring sleeping children to ensure they are kept safe • ensure battery operated toys are maintained in a play-worthy condition so children are able to gain the most enjoyment from them

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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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