Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337513 Unique Reference Number 06 March 2007 Inspection date Linda Tomkins 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 two children aged 10 and 13 years in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding and 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local pre-school groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 good. Children are cared for in a comfortable home where good example ensures they understand the importance of effective health practice and personal care. They are encouraged to understand why and how to use wipes to clean their hands before food. However, at times, the written hygiene policy is not always followed which results in children being exposed to the potential of cross-contamination of food.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good arrangements and written policies for nappy changing and disposal. The childminder does not care for sick or infectious children and ensures that written permission for seeking emergency treatment or advice is in place. This means that children will receive prompt medical treatment in an emergency. In addition, the childminder provides parents with written information on infectious diseases and the exclusion periods. Procedures for accidents and giving medication are good, they are clearly recorded and explained to parents when children are settled into the childminder's home. The childminder is well qualified to meet children's medical needs in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates an understanding of how children's health is promoted. Children are provided with a varied range of activities which contribute to their good health such as outside play in the garden, regular walks in the pushchair to collect children from school and visits to the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a thorough understanding of healthy eating, including the need to have drinking water accessible at all times. Currently, parents provide all food and snacks and the childminder provides extra snacks of fresh fruit. The childminder takes account of parents' wishes through discussions and children's individual records, to ensure she meets their dietary needs well and follows home routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are provided with a welcoming home with clear space to move around freely and independently. There are smoke alarms at both levels of the home and the childminder has devised an emergency evacuation plan which is regularly practised with minded children. This helps to keep children safe in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of toys and equipment stored on low-level shelves in the playroom. The child-centred playroom is the main play area and ensures children can safely access the resources. The childminder provides toys that are appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. The children play outside in the rear garden which is fenced, safe and secure. However, there is a lock on the inside of the bathroom door which is at a low level and accessible to young children. This is a hazard as children could isolate themselves in the bathroom.

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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 All the required procedures and equipment are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Children are helped to begin to understand road safety when out walking and they are securely strapped into the pushchair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder understands her duty to protect children in her care and how to report concerns. There is a clear procedure for recording existing injuries that children have sustained before arriving at her home and her written policy is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children's level of development is good because the childminder organises her routines and activities to suit each child, which allows children to progress and increase their independence in her home. She records and discusses children's individual routines with their parents so that children have time to be active and to rest. Children have regular opportunities for physical development as the play areas are safe and comfortable. Children are taken outside regularly on walks to and from school and on visits to the park and shops.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children well and ensures her resources suit the age of the children she cares for. They are presented at a low level to allow for choice of activity. For example, children use the playroom as the main play area to explore and select activities such as cloth books, musical instruments and activity toys. Children use paint and handle jelly to experience different textures. Currently, the favourite activity is practising walking and bobbing up and down to music.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's activities and achievements are recorded in the children's diaries and shared verbally with parents when they are collected each day. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of how children learn and value a degree of independence. The childminder constantly evaluates the outcomes for children which ensures they have opportunities to develop their emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder and children interact together using good quality resources such as books and play-figures with positive images of race, disability and gender. Children have a range of activities such as listening to the 'Creepy Crawly Calypso' music and looking at books with images of children around the world. This helps to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity and understanding of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. They receive individual attention and have conversations with the childminder who encourages them to freely express their views. Although there are no children with learning or physical difficulties attending the childminder has policies and procedures in place to ensure they are fully supported and included.

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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 Children are encouraged to behave well and make themselves at home to foster good levels of self-esteem and well-being. There are clear boundaries and children are encouraged to respond to the high levels of behaviour displayed by the childminder. Children are encouraged to say 'please' and 'thank you' and share when with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with written information on policies and procedures when they attend introductory visits prior to placing their child. The childminder makes verbal and written reports on the children's progress, development and achievements each day. This ensures parents are involved and contribute to the quality of care their children receive. Children take their paintings home to encourage parents to be involved in their children's learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a complaints procedure and provides parents with a copy of the complaints pro-forma. The childminder offers flexible care to families and ensures the children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is qualified to provide children with an interesting range of activities to develop children's skills and independence. She has a current first aid certificate and regularly attends training to continue to increase her knowledge of learning opportunities, for example, the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Organisation

Clear written policies and procedures ensure that children are secure and relaxed in the child-centred environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own learning and play. The well-organised environment provides clear space for children's free movement. The policies and procedures are used effectively to promote welfare, care and learning of minded children.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good knowledge of required records and ensures that they are accurate, up-to-date, stored confidentially and available for parents. This enables the childminder to monitor and evaluate the quality of her care and contributes to continuity in the children's care. 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): • ensure hygiene procedures are followed at all times • ensure the lock on the bathroom door is inoperable.

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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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