Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345000 Unique Reference Number 19 April 2007 Inspection date Elaine Douglas 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and seven years. They live in a terraced house in Wells, Somerset. The whole of the ground floor and first floor are used for childminding. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding five children part time. The family has goldfish in a tank. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is protected by the childminder having a current first aid qualification and an appropriate supply of hygienically maintained first aid equipment. She has a good system for keeping records in the event of an accident and appropriate records for administering medication. She has sought consent for emergency advice or treatment from most parents, however, one child is not protected by this. Children play in clean premises, which are well heated and

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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 ventilated. Babies are protected by good nappy changing procedures; they lie on their own changing mat and the childminder wears gloves to prevent cross contamination. However, children are not gaining a good awareness of healthy practices, as they do not wash their hands prior to having a snack, unless they have been outside. Children are protected from illnesses by sensible agreements with parents about exclusion times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted through daily opportunities to go for walks, play with the equipment in the garden and visit the local parks. They sleep or rest according to their own needs. Children have nutritional snacks and meals which are provided by their parents; the childminder provides additional fresh or dried fruits and drinks for those who require it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe through good supervision, they have good space to play in the well maintained premises. The childminder carries out good risk assessments and installs necessary equipment to keep children safe, while encouraging their independence. For example, stairgates prevent them from accessing the stairs unsupervised and cupboard locks prevent them accessing dangerous substances. Children are closely supervised while using the garden; poisonous plants have been removed and there is a thick layer of bark under the climbing frame, to minimise accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Older children develop an awareness of helping with their own safety through practising the well thought through emergency evacuation procedures. A fire blanket is wall mounted in the kitchen and the smoke alarms are regularly tested. Children are able to safely select from the wide range of resources. The childminder regularly rotates these dependent on the children who are attending, and their ages and stages of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected by the childminder's satisfactory knowledge of child protection issues. She has a good written policy and relevant documentation for further guidance, such as the Local Safeguarding Children Board and government booklets. She is seeking training, to further extend her knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the warm interaction they receive from the childminder. She is aware of their individual interests and provides resources to support this. For example, one child enjoys playing with the train track and explores moving the train and carriages through the tunnel, and under the bridge. The childminder reads a story about a train and asks questions to encourage the child's language. Children develop new skills through first-hand experiences, such as one child trying to put on their own Wellington boots; the childminder does not intervene until the child demonstrates that they want her help.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have regular opportunities to attend local groups, where they take part in craft activities. Babies' development is encouraged through good interaction, for example, naming animals and making their noises. One child throws the ball to the childminder, she praises him and he is pleased with his achievements. The childminder has the Birth to three matters framework, however, she does not currently use this to ensure she plans effective activities in line with the aspects, to further support children in their earliest years.

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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. Children's welfare is protected by the good information which is shared and sought from parents. Some policies are in writing, to ensure parents are consistently informed of the childminder's procedures. The childminder has an appropriate complaints procedure and system for keeping records in the event of her having a complaint. The children's record forms provide her with good information on their individual needs to ensure she can provide appropriate care. She ensures she is caring for children according to their parents' wishes through good discussions and by obtaining their consent, for example to take children on outings. The childminder has got to know the children well and is therefore able to meet their needs, for example, she recognises the signs when one child becomes tired and needs a rest. She has not cared for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities but has an appropriate knowledge

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of working with parents and assessing how the child's needs can be met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop some awareness of people's differences through a range of books. However, they do not access a variety of resources which provide positive images of disabilities, gender and cultures. Children are well behaved and play together harmoniously. The childminder uses appropriate methods to manage behaviour and has high expectations of good manners, consequently, children use please and thank you, and know they must sit at the table when eating. Children are settled, confident and happy in the childminder's home.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care and welfare is appropriately supported and promoted through the childminder's organisation of her time, premises and documentation. She has completed necessary training and liaises with other childminders to discuss practices and look at ways of making improvements. The childminder provides a flexible service to meet the needs of both the children and their parents; she ensures that all children receive individual attention. Children's files are well organised and stored confidentially; in an emergency appropriate information can be easily assessed. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take 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 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 parental consent is sought from all parents for emergency advice or treatment • improve the hand washing routines to develop children's awareness of healthy practices • plan and provide activities in line with the aspects and approach of the Birth to three matters framework • extend the range of resources which provide positive images of people's differences

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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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