Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345723 Unique Reference Number 20 June 2007 Inspection date Heather Morgan 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 January 2007. She lives with her partner and son in the Exwick area of Exeter, Devon. The whole of the childminder’s 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted well as the childminder provides regular opportunities for them to play outdoors in the fresh air and to take exercise. They are developing healthy eating habits as they enjoy snacks of fresh fruit and are encouraged to eat vegetables with their main meals. They are also offered regular drinks throughout the day.

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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 Children play in a clean environment with well-maintained resources. Their food is prepared carefully, for example the fruit they eat at snack time is washed. They are learning about good hygiene procedures as they wash their hands before cooking or after handling animals. They are learning the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet and are protected from the risk of cross infection as children each have their own towel.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in the event of an accident as the childminder has a current first aid certificate and has procedures in place to record relevant information and share it with parents. Children's continuity of care is also promoted effectively by recording and sharing information with parents whenever medication is administered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's well-maintained and welcoming home. They are protected from potential hazards because the childminder pays good attention to safety issues and has taken steps to minimise risks. For example, exposed electrical sockets are covered and safety gates are used to restrict access to the kitchen and stairs. Children play safely in the secure garden area, that includes an outdoor play room for additional physical activities, such as a ball pool.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing their awareness of safety through carefully planned activities, for example learning about fire safety. They access good quality, well-maintained resources and learn to use them safely, for example only using soft balls indoors and tidying up some of their toys to make room for others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is given good priority as the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues and her roles and responsibilities in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities both indoors and outdoors. They confidently choose from the available resources and play well together. They benefit from their interaction with the childminder, who joins in with their games and supports their learning. For example, she encourages them to count and to develop ball skills. Children of all ages are supported in accessing activities that they choose themselves, and activities that the childminder has planned.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy visiting areas of local interest such as the seaside, park and a pony sanctuary. A photographic record of their visits reminds them of activities they have enjoyed. They also enjoy using a range of different materials to create pictures and models, for example, to make cards for special occasions or to make toy cameras to support their imaginative play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's progress and development is supported well as the childminder offers them interesting and challenging activities that give them opportunities to learn, practise and develop new skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's welcoming home environment. They are encouraged to access a wide range of resources and activities and are supported well by the

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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 childminder, who has a good understanding of their individual developmental needs and interests. However, children's developing awareness of diversity is not supported effectively by, for example, opportunities to choose resources that reflect positive images of our diverse society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's continuity of care is promoted well through regular exchange of information with parents. This enables the childminder to meet children's individual needs and to ensure that children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and they respond well to the childminder's calm and consistent approach to reinforcing the rules of acceptable behaviour. Children are learning to respect each others' feelings and to take responsibility for their actions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for by the childminder because she has attended relevant training and has developed effective procedures to promote their health, safety and well-being. Daily routines are organised well to provide children with opportunities to access a wide range of interesting activities that promote their progress and development. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place, stored appropriately and used effectively to provide good quality care for children and a range of useful information for parents.

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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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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):

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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 • extend the range of resources available to children that reflect positive images of a diverse society

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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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