Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY309218 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2007 Inspection date Glenda Sinclair 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 first registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged 21, 14 and nine years. The family have a three-bedroom semi-detached house in the Barton area of Gloucester, close to shops, parks, schools, playgroup and toddler groups. The childminder uses the ground floor of her house and the enclosed rear garden for children's play. The family have several pets; a dog, a rabbit and fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and currently has seven children on her books, mostly attending part-time. She is prepared to take children to and collect them from Elmbridge Primary School and Coney Hill Family Centre.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about their own personal hygiene as the childminder encourages them to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They use paper towels to dry their hands, which minimises the risk of cross infection. The childminder uses appropriately hygienic nappy

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 changing procedures. The family dog is cared for well and poses no health risk to children. Children have ample fresh air and exercise. They go for walks to the City Farm and local parks, as well as play on the trampoline or on bicycles in the garden. The childminder offers plenty of cuddles and affection. This enables children to develop a sense of trust and emotional well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder does not provide meals. Children bring lunch boxes with food provided by their parents. The childminder is happy that this food is generally nutritious with healthy choices. She has been trying to introduce different fruits, such as melon, with varying degrees of success. She is prepared to work with parents in order to overcome eating problems. Drinks of sugar free squash are readily available to minimise any risk of dehydration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is clean and child-friendly. However, there are building works in progress and building materials are easily accessible to children. There is also a large low level trampoline in the garden, which poses a slight risk to children, despite the childminder's careful supervision and sensible ground rules. Toys and equipment are generally easily accessible to children, age appropriate and in good condition. They pose no safety risk to children. The childminder has an emergency plan in place to protect children. She has the correct car seats to cater for various ages and sizes and, when out walking, children are either harnessed into the pushchair or walk alongside holding on to the handle. The childminder has the appropriate fire safety devices and a plan in place to cater for an emergency evacuation. Dangerous substances and sharp knives are stored safely. Safety gates prevent children leaving the house unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound awareness of the signs and indicators of child abuse. She is also confident of the procedure to follow if she has concerns about the safety or welfare of a child in her care. She is a little less certain of the procedure to follow, if an allegation of abuse is made against her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children enjoy their play. The childminder provides an interesting variety of activities and they learn about life as they spend time watching the trains pass-by at the bottom of the garden, sometimes waving to the passengers. They also enjoy watching the nearby building work or waving to the men, who empty the dustbins every week. They learn about the care of pets as they help to feed the fish, clean out the fish tank or get the rabbit out of its hutch for a run around. They learn about natural life as they go on trips to the City Farm or local animal parks. Young children do some threading to make 'necklaces'. The childminder supports each child, according to his or her need, stepping in if frustration starts to mount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children attend after school and the childminder does a five week planning rota to cater for them. Activities include cookery, work on festivals and collage. There is a good balance of adult directed and child led activities.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder responds well to children's individual needs and is prepared to offer physical reassurance when it is required. Children learn about festivals such as Diwali and have access to multi-cultural resources, such as dressing-up clothes, which present a positive picture of the diversity within society. The childminder is prepared to care for children with learning difficulties or disabilities and she has some experience of working with children who need help with their behaviour management. The house is not suitable for a child with severe mobility problems.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is generally good. The childminder uses praise quite naturally to reward and encourage good behaviour. She has a few sensible house rules and uses distraction to excellent effect. She provides a good role model of politeness and encourages children to help her tidy up from an early age. She has a good partnership with parents. She does a verbal daily feedback to keep parents informed of how their child has been. She also uses photographs to show them some of their child's activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She organises her time and resources well. This enables children to play happily and in safety. She has continued her professional development, completing further training courses in addition to the basic introductory course. Her first aid training is also up-to-date. She has many years experience of working within the Guiding movement. However, she has not yet started to further her professional development through self appraisal.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation is in place. Her register records the actual times of children's arrival and departure and her accident and medication records are completed appropriately. Child record forms and contracts are also completed so that she has the correct information to ensure children's safety. All necessary parental permissions are in place.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder was asked to request written parental permission to seek emergency advice or treatment; to ensure that there were working smoke alarms on each floor and to keep an accurate record of children's attendance. Measures have been put in place in to rectify all of these omissions and risks to children have been minimised as a result.

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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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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 that children are able to play safely in the garden.

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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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