Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335163 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2007 Inspection date Lynne Stephanie Bowden 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 works with a co minder in her home, where she lives with her husband and two primary school age children. This is a detached former farmhouse in the rural hamlet of Carfury. Carfury is close to the village of Heamoor and Penzance and about six miles from St Ives, in Cornwall. The entire home, with the exception of the main bedroom and office, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

and when working with another childminder may care for a maximum of 11 children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

With a co minder, she is currently minding 17 children, one after school and 16 children under five, on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library, beaches, art galleries and on country walks. The family has one pet dog, two cats and two ducks.

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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 The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association and National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean environment, so babies can safely crawl around and explore. The childminder provides a good role model as children see her following appropriate nappy changing procedures and disposing of used tissues. Children learn effective hygiene practices as the childminder ensures that they wash their hands appropriately. The bathroom is well equipped with steps and toilet seats to aid children's independent use of the facilities, but shared use of a towel creates risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of first aid. They receive suitable treatment if they are injured or require medication. Parents are kept fully informed through conscientious recordings in the accident book. The childminder responds to signs of tiredness and follows babies routines, so that babies and young children benefit from being able to rest and sleep in comfort. She makes frequent checks on sleeping babies and keeps clear records of their sleep patterns.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages children to eat healthily. They enjoy the balanced nutritious meals cooked and provided by the childminder. These include snacks of fresh and dried fruit and lunch of home made vegetable soup and toast, followed by yoghurt for dessert and drinks of milk or water. Children learn about food through their involvement in cooking, growing and preparing fruit and vegetables. They talk enthusiastically about the cakes that they baked for a teddy bears picnic.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular outdoor play. The childminder takes them on trips to local beaches woods and parks. Children enjoy digging in the vegetable patch and have a large paddock to run and play in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in bright and welcoming premises, where their work is on display and equipment set out. Equipment is stored tidily, some with picture labels, so children can access appropriate equipment themselves. The childminder uses safety equipment effectively to protect children. She ensures young children are safely strapped into their seats at the table for meals. A fire guard and socket covers are used appropriately to make the premises safe, so children can confidently play and explore their environment. Children are effectively protected from fire through the childminder's provision of appropriate safety equipment, which is regularly serviced. Practicing the clear fire drill ensures that children become familiar with it.

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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 On outings, the childminder ensures that children are safe by using suitable baby seats and boosters in her car. She is prepared to deal with accidents and emergencies, taking a small first aid kit and emergency contact numbers on outings. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's knowledge and awareness of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides a balanced range of interesting activities that meet children's individual needs. She provides opportunities for them to rest and sleep, balanced with active play. She uses her knowledge of their developmental levels to plan for future development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures that young children are amused and contented, whilst older children participate in a music session. They are consequently able to enjoy listening to and moving to different tempos and volumes of live music, whilst young children are encouraged to participate as they wish. The childminder joins children on the floor to encourage their play. Children develop their fine motor skills as they handle tools, enthusiastically play with a railway track. With appropriate support from the childminder they enjoy building with large construction toys. She encourages children in impromptu singing of familiar rhymes, whilst they enjoy their snack.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children become aware of and learn to respect diversity and difference, through their daily play with the good range of resources. These show positive images of people of different ages, races and disabilities. The childminder works closely with parents, using her experience and awareness of learning difficulties and disabilities to encourage children to reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, sharing toys with each other. Children are secure and confident in the expectations at the setting, due to the childminder working effectively with her co-minder. They follow their behaviour management policy and give consistent messages. The childminder gives clear explanations to older children, supporting them by demonstrating how to compromise and negotiate. She keeps babies and young children amused and diverts them away from disrupting older children's activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are confident and satisfied with the care their children receive at the setting. They learn about the setting through the professional prospectus for prospective parents, along with the well organised folder of policies. They are fully informed about their children and their activities through a variety of both written and verbal methods, so that children receive consistent care and support.

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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. Children benefit from being cared for in a bright and welcoming setting. The premises are comfortably furnished, with table and chairs for meals and table top activities and a large comfortable settee, where children and adults can sit comfortably for stories and cuddles. There is enough clear floor space for babies and toddlers to practice crawling and walking, without disrupting floor games, such as construction play. The second room is used effectively as both a role play area and, when necessary, a quiet, darkened bedroom. There, babies and young children sleep and rest in comfort. Equipment is stored tidily, some with picture labels, so children can access them themselves. All records, policies and procedures are well organised and readily available.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps children safe and most hygiene practices are satisfactory. She plans and provides an interesting and balanced range of activities and makes effective use of the local environment and facilities to extend children's experience. The childminder has attended a wide variety of training courses and is committed to continuing to improve her knowledge and practice through future training. She 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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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 hygiene procedures.

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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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