Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343659 Unique Reference Number 14 June 2007 Inspection date Susan June Stone 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 three children, two of whom are aged under eight years. They live in a mid-terraced house in Peasedown-St-John, Bath and North East Somerset. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with access to two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. 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 four children at any one time, she is currently minding two children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group on a regular basis and takes children to the local park.

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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. The children are well cared for in a warm clean home where they enjoy the benefits of a routine that ensures the appropriate balance of rest and play. Regular walks to and from school to collect the older children and the effective use of the garden, contribute to children’s good health and allows them to benefit from the fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder implements good hygiene practice in the home and as a result, the children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Through the childminders daily practice the children know they must wash their hands before eating meals. However not all children use clean water to wash their hands as they share the same bowlful that has been drawn by the childminder. Children are provided with separate towels and flannels for hand drying. The childminder also encourages them to use wet wipes for their hands and faces after they have eaten their food. She sets good examples for hygiene in her behaviour, like washing hands before preparing meals, and ensuring the table and high chairs are wiped and clean before the children eat their lunch and snacks. She also ensures that the toys and equipment are clean and safe before being used by the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's understanding of healthy choices and well-balanced meals is promoted through snacks of fresh fruit, bread sticks and occasional biscuits. Children's dietary needs are identified and discussed with parents. Parents provide their own children's meal, which the childminder stores appropriately until required. The children sit together at the table to eat their lunch. On the day of inspection they enjoyed the cheese on toast which the childminder had prepared for them. The childminder ensures the children have a drink with their meal and additional drinks are easily accessible to the children during their time at the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Records of accidents and medication are in place, and emergency medical forms have been completed. The childminder's first aid training and awareness of dealing with sick children, ensures that an emergency situation and children's health care needs can be consistently met and dealt with effectively. The childminder has a written sickness policy which indicates the exclusion times for children if they are ill or infectious. This policy is clearly shared with parents to ensure all children are suitably protected from any possible illness or infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, homely environment where risks have been identified and minimised. Available space is well organised to allow the children to play in comfort. The childminder ensures good standards of safety are maintained in the areas used by the children. This allows the children to move about freely and safely while under the childminder's close supervision. Effective safety measures, like using safety gates to deny access to different areas of the house and ensuring doors remain locked are in place. A fire blanket is easily available to use in an emergency situation and smoke detectors have been fitted in every room of the house. This contributes to the children being able to play, and be cared for in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a range of safe and suitable toys, which are in good repair and conform to safety standards. There are plenty of toys and resources that are age appropriate and meet the developmental needs of all children. These are well organised and stored on open shelves and

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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 boxes enabling the children to make their own choices about play and independently select the toys they wish to use. Children happily choose the puzzles and musical keyboard to play with as they arrive at the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures and a clear understanding of her role in the protection of children, ensuring the children's safety and welfare is always a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and at ease in the childminder's house. They are confident and settled within the setting. On arrival they make themselves at home and are familiar with the daily routines and where things are kept. They help themselves from the toys and resources that are all easily accessible to them. Their self esteem is reinforced well by the childminder valuing each child and supporting their needs. The childminder values the children's opinions and respects their wishes. She allows the children to make decisions for themselves, such as the activities they wish to participate in. This helps to build their personal independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the children’s individual care routines and supports these well to ensure the children remain happy and settled when in her home. The children are developing good relationships with the childminder and her family. The minded children play with the childminder’s son, using the role play work bench, where they hammer nails, use the screwdriver and play with nuts and bolts. The childminder interacts well with the children, and she is involved in their play at an appropriate level. She is encouraging and reassuring and offers lots of positive praise and reinforcement. The children respond well to the childminders friendly involvement with them. The childminder encourages the children to try new activities such as the electronic footsteps play mat. She offers lots of encouragement and praise as the children jump on the footsteps to make the different sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of the development needs of young children. She has attended some training and is familiar with the Birth to three matters framework. She has not yet fully introduced it into the setting though, and does not specifically plan activities to encourage individual development linked to the framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder is aware of the children's particular requirements and meets these well. She knows the individual routines of the children she cares for. She interacts well with the children, encouraging them to feel valued and included. Children have access to toys and activities which portray positive images of diversity and which help them to develop positive attitudes to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a calm approach and uses positive, sound methods for managing behaviour which makes the children feel valued. Children behave well and respond well to the consistent boundaries set by the childminder. The childminder sets good examples in her behaviour. The children are encouraged to be fair and share items and they are learning what is right from wrong. The children respond well to the childminder's positive guidance and praise, and are beginning to develop their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder uses appropriate explanations and guidance to the children when behaviour is not as expected, such as why it

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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 is not a good idea to climb on the coffee table. Telling the child they may fall and hurt themselves. This helps the children to understand that some behaviour and actions are unacceptable, and that there may be consequences to behaviour that are not always nice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed positive working relationships with parents, the children benefit from these relationships which are friendly, yet professional. Time is offered daily to share information with parents. This ensures that children's individual needs are identified are consistently met and parents feel confident about their carer. The childminder has developed written policies and procedures that support the care offered which are available to parents. The childminder is aware of the procedures with regards to any complaints about the provision and information about how to make a complaint is readily available for parents to access.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised, welcoming family home where space is used effectively to meet children's play and care routines. Children feel comfortable and at ease in an organised, safe environment. The childminder organises her time sufficiently well to meet the needs of the range of children attending. The childminder ensures the children are well cared for, using her sound knowledge and understanding of childcare. A range of furniture and equipment is used well to provide for the varying needs of the children attending.

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Organisation

Required records and documentation are in place and suitably maintained. The childminder ensures that all information kept for the children is suitably stored and remains confidential. Policies and procedures are used well to promote the care and welfare of the children. They are shared with parents to inform them of the care the provision offers. Daily discussions help to identify parent's thoughts and views, which are valued and acknowledged by the childminder, which also helps towards the continuity of care and the meeting of individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder 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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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 all children use clean water for hand washing • develop a suitable range of activities for the younger children as explained in Birth to three matters

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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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