Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY263200 Unique Reference Number 25 April 2007 Inspection date Carole Elizabeth Price 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 partner and three children aged 10 months, three years and five years, in a three-bedroom, semi-detached property in Stroud. The whole of the house is 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding two children at various times across the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder goes to the local school to take and collect children. She attends parent and toddler groups and goes for walks within the local community. The family have a pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

During the inspection no children were present, other than the childminder's own.

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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. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates she has an understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She has appropriate routines in place to minimize the risk of any spread of infection. For example good hand washing routines and cleaning of all equipment and surfaces. However the nappy changing routine may not fully prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has systems in place to ensure children's medical needs and first aid are administered and recorded appropriately within the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Meals are carefully thought through and planned in advance. Through discussion of the meals and snacks offered, the childminder demonstrates she has a good understanding of children's dietary requirements and nutritional needs. She clearly demonstrates that she understands the need for children to have access to regular healthy drinks. She gives examples which demonstrate how children would learn about healthy eating, such as, talking about healthy options and choices, and taking opportunities with pretend play food to talk about foods which are good for us.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder explains that she likes to ensure the children have opportunities for physical play and fresh air each day and organises time in the garden, at the local playground or walks in the rural community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of how children's safety is promoted. She has taken action to ensure areas used by the children, indoors and outdoors, are safe and suitable. For example, cupboard doors in the kitchen are secure, stair gates are in place and windows are kept locked with the keys handy for emergency evacuation. She understands her responsibility to keep children safe when they are in her care and checks play equipment regularly to ensure it is safe and appropriate for use. The childminder explains that she ensures children are safe when in the garden by supervising them when using the play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has plans in place to ensure children are safe on outings and helps them to learn about their own safety, through discussion about road safety and holding hands.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected from child protection issues through the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the procedures. Through discussion she demonstrates that she is able to identify issues, knows the procedure to follow and understands the action to take.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that she is aware of children's developmental needs. She organises a range of activities which are fun and interesting for children. She tries to arrange activities that all children can take part in. For example, a painting activity where children can use their hands, sponges or brushes depending on their individual ability.

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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 A range of quality games and resources are available which include construction, pretend play, craft activities, play dough, puzzles and books. All resources are stored appropriately to ensure they are accessible to the children. They can choose from a good selection available which is changed regularly by the childminder to ensure items remain fresh and interesting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework, but has not yet looked at it in great detail.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Space is organised well to ensure children have opportunity to play in the dining room, garden or quietly in the lounge area away from others to avoid being disturbed in their play or activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that she helps children to learn about others through talking with the children about people being different, having different needs and making a range of resources which reflect diversity available to children. She explains that she plans activities around the needs of the individuals so that all children can take part and be included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a good understanding of how to successfully manage children's behaviour. She has a written policy which is shared with parents. She is positive in her approach. She explains that she promotes positive interaction and behaviour through praise and encouragement but uses appropriate strategies such as explanation of what is unacceptable and why this is so, setting house rules and appropriate 'time out'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

From discussion the childminder clearly values a good partnership with parents. She has plans to ensure knowledge is obtained from, and shared with, parents about their child and their daily routines, activities and individual needs. She has systems in place for recording and sharing children's daily activities and information with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has just completed the Extended Childminding Practise course as well as keeping her training on first aid and child protection up to date. She is interested in further training and is committed to keeping her knowledge fresh.

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Organisation

The childminder has systems in place for recording all regulatory records. This information is clear, easily accessible and well maintained. The attendance register is completed daily, but this is as the children leave and does not always accurately reflect their times of attendance.

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Organisation

Space is organised appropriately giving areas for children to play indoors and outdoors with a range of activities. The dining room, lounge and children's bedrooms are available for play. This ensures older children can play undisturbed by younger children, and babies are not put at risk from small items.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the childminder would meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Issues addressed at the last inspection were to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, to obtain written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle and to request written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed a child protection course and through discussion demonstrates that she has a good knowledge and understanding of these issues and the procedures to follow. This ensures any issues will be identified and addressed appropriately.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A range of resources are now available to help children learn about diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Appropriate permissions have been obtained from parents regarding transporting in a vehicle and seeking emergency medical treatment. This ensures children receive emergency treatment without delay.

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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 the 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 nappy changing procedures are thorough to help reduce the spread of infections. • increase knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework to ensure all children's individual needs are met. • ensure registers accurately reflect the times of children's actual attendance.

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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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