Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262605 Unique Reference Number 02 March 2007 Inspection date Silvia Richardson 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 in 2003. She lives with her husband and four children, aged seven months, four, eight and 11 years. They live in a house close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. The childminder's husband is registered as her assistant. They are currently minding one child aged under five years on a part-time basis and one child age six years after school. 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 satisfactory. Children play and move around in a clean and tidy home promoting their welfare. Children remove outdoor shoes as they come in, helping to maintain hygienic floor play areas. Nursery equipment is kept clean and maintained, so that children's health is protected. If children are sick or infectious, parents keep children at home, protecting the health and promoting the welfare of all the children. Appropriate consent is obtained from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and to administer any medication, contributing to children's welfare. Children are encouraged to develop good personal hygiene habits through hand washing routines. However, a number of children share a hand towel, increasing the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a balanced diet, meeting nutritional requirements. They have a good understanding of healthy eating and know that fruit and vegetables are good for them. They talk about foods which are less beneficial to their health and know these should be eaten in limited quantities. Children have some opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise because they have easy access to the rear garden. A range of play equipment is available, so that children develop physical skills and enjoy being active. Children travel to and from school in a vehicle, so opportunities are limited for daily exercise through walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a relatively safe home environment because a range of measures are in place to keep children safe, such as the use of gates to make the stairs and kitchen inaccessible to children. Dangerous substances and objects are kept out of children's reach and toys with small parts are stored safely to avoid accidents. Fire safety precautions include smoke detectors and a fire blanket easily accessible in the kitchen, so that the childminder can respond quickly to keep children safe in the event of a fire. Children are not familiar with how to keep themselves safe in the event of emergency evacuation of the premises because the childminder has not thought through and discussed fire safety with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely in the garden because they are appropriately supervised. Rules for safe play on the trampoline are agreed with the children, although parental permission is not sought to ensure they are happy for their children to use the equipment. The childminder has a good understanding of how to assess risks to children, so that they are kept safe in the setting. Children are kept safe and protected should safeguarding concerns arise, because the childminder has been trained in child protection procedures, knows what to look out for, and how to record and make an appropriate referral to care services.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally happy and settled because the childminder offers an appropriate range of toys and activities. Children particularly enjoy colouring and play happily at the table in the

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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 kitchen and on the floor in the living area. The childminder has a reasonable range of resources for children, which are sorted and stored in sets to aid selection. Many play resources are not easily accessible to children, so they are unable to help themselves. This is because the childminder considers the safety of babies while they are playing on the floor. Children need to ask for play materials stored behind the settee and the childminder is happy to get these out and set them up in an appropriate location, such as the table in the kitchen.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home is suitably arranged and safe for older children to play upstairs in the bedrooms if they wish. They have easy access to the rear garden, so that they can enjoy play activities both inside and outside. Children have a balanced routine that includes drinks, meals and snacks and times for rest and relaxation, supporting their care and welfare needs. Television viewing is usually restricted to after tea and when everything else is cleared away, so that children spend most of the session playing purposefully and constructively. The routine is child centred so that children's individual care and welfare needs are appropriately met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made welcome in the setting and become a part of the family, because the childminder creates a happy family atmosphere. Children integrate well and seem relaxed and settled. The childminder has a good range of resources reflecting diversity and positive images of differences, helping children to develop a positive identity. The childminder is sufficiently experienced in childcare to look after children with disabilities, although there are none on roll. Children's individual needs are met through child centred routines that incorporate parents' wishes. Partnerships with parents are well established, promoting children's welfare in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and play co-operatively because they are well supervised. The childminder works with an assistant, so when they are both present, the children always have an adult available to them to support their play and activities. This helps children to play well together, taking turns and sharing resources. Children have a good understanding of the importance of house rules, so that everyone is safe and happy. Children respond well to the childminder, because warm relationships are developed that help children feel secure.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Adult members of the household are properly vetted, ensuring their suitability. Both the childminder and assistant have attended childminder training, enhancing their understanding of the needs of children in a childminding setting. They are both trained in first aid procedures, so that they can respond appropriately, should an accident occur. Appropriate records are kept, supporting childminding activities and routines. These include accident details and registers, so that the childminder and assistant can account for the times children are in their care. Some suitable childminding policies and procedures are in place, including information for parents, so that they know what the childminding service includes.

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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 Generally the home is well organised for childminding so that children's needs are met appropriately. Children sit up at the table in the kitchen area for meals and snacks and also to do colouring and use other creative materials. There is plenty of clear floor play space in the living room, so that children spread out, move around and sit comfortable as they wish. The bedrooms are tidy and organised, so that older children can play upstairs on occasions. Nursery equipment is well arranged so that it is easily accessible for use as part of babies' routines. Children are offered a good range of toys and play materials, although these are not organised as such, so that they can help themselves to what's available. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved safety in the home, making sure that electric sockets in areas accessible to children are fitted with covers, the garden is safe and potential hazards are inaccessible to the children and all toiletries are inaccessible to children. A policy has been developed and implemented, that informs parents of action taken when their chid is unwell. The childminder also ensures that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 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 arrangements for hand washing minimise the risk of cross infection • improve fire safety precautions by developing and practising an emergency evacuation procedure • organise some toys and play materials from which children may help themselves

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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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