Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345732 Unique Reference Number 20 June 2007 Inspection date Sarah Fletcher 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten months and three years in Bradwell Common, close to Milton Keynes. The whole ground floor 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day, and two children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a small dog, a guinea pig and fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are beginning to understand simple good health and hygiene practices, following the hand washing and toilet routines that are in place. They stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures.

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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 and tidy spacious family home with age appropriate toy and equipment storage, and large floor areas left clear for babies and toddlers to practise their walking, crawling or climbing skills. The childminder protects children from the spread of infection by following a clear sickness policy and using anti-bacterial sprays or wipes to clean surfaces and changing mats. Nappy changing takes place in accordance with each individual child’s needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and learn about healthy living through eating nutritious meals and snacks, which make allowances for children's allergies and preferences and conform to parents’ wishes. Children receive a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables during their meals and snacks, together with regular drinks of water or squash throughout the day on request. The childminder helps parents to encourage their children to eat fruit and vegetables, using effective strategies to promote healthy eating and encouraging older children to choose their own menus. The childminder meets children's health and dietary needs because she works well with parents, both keeping each other informed of any changes in children's behaviour when new foods are introduced.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from indoor and outdoor play and enjoy regular physical play and activities. The childminder encourages babies to crawl or walk about indoors, while older children enjoy being outside in the garden, or visiting local parks, lakes and farms. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and parents' wishes.

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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 warm and welcoming home, where they are made welcome as part of the family. They are safe and secure in their surroundings because the childminder keeps children under close supervision at all times, reducing risks and hazards and minimising dangers inside and outside the home. Children are cared for in a spacious open plan home, where they can move around safely and freely. The childminder gives high priority to keeping children secure and helping them to understand how to be safe. For example, children follow the childminder's guidance on stranger danger and road safety when outdoors and by not running around inside the home in case they slip, trip or fall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to learn independence through being able to select from the good quality range of toys, resources and equipment available, which is developmentally appropriate and carefully checked for wear and tear by the childminder. She rotates her resources to support the needs of the children she cares for and ensures babies and toddlers do not have access to toys or other articles that may cause them harm. Older children learn about fire safety and evacuating in case of a fire, because the childminder has a clear plan in place, which she shares with them and helps them to understand with regular practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes children’s safety by close supervision and protection from unvetted persons. She has a good understanding of child protection issues to ensure she is able to protect children’s welfare at all times. The childminder has good awareness of her responsibilities to protect children and knows the importance of recording information confidentially. Parents are aware of the childminder’s role and her responsibilities to protect children because this is included in her policy.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and self-esteem through activities and outings. Older children are developing independence and learning to do things for themselves under close observation. For example, the childminder provides squeezing and moulding machines for the playdough and encourages children to create their own designs. The children also visit a pottery club regularly, where they can design their own utensils. Children ask questions and use initiative to acquire new knowledge and skills, with the childminder providing new ideas on a regular basis. They show interest and enthusiasm for what they do through a variety of activities, such as drawing or painting and various art and craft activities, responding to the challenges with interest and enthusiasm. For example, older children are able to paint their own fridge magnets using fine brushes and small pots of special paint.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make positive relationships with each other, the childminder and her family. They talk freely to each other during activities and ask the childminder if they need anything, which she provides. Older children begin to distinguish between right and wrong, behaving generally well, knowing house rules and respecting them. Children have their individual needs met. They are very settled with the childminder and happy in her company. Children are confident in her care because the childminder shows concern and cares well for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is beginning to help younger children benefit from positive experiences by providing a variety of educational toys and a small range of activities, such as drawing or reading stories and learning to count using fingers or toys. However, the childminder has yet to develop a variety of suitable experiences and activities to encourage learning and development for children under three years.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are becoming aware of our wider society and developing their understanding of the wider world through the increasing range of toys and resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. The childminder uses opportunities to introduce children to the world around them, using a home-made world folder, with a wide variety of resources and information. Children learn about their local community by visiting various groups and walking around the neighbourhood. They receive appropriate support and care from the childminder, who works well with parents to ensure children feel a sense of belonging and are fully included in family life. Children's continuity of care benefits from the developing two-way communication system between parents and the childminder, which enables her to meet children's needs successfully and treat children equally.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children move about the home confidently, behave well and know the boundaries and ground rules decided by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn to understand self-control and the childminder encourages them to feel valued and respected as individuals. She meets each child's individual needs and follows their own routine after careful discussion with the child's parents. The childminder has developed some behaviour management strategies which include diversion and distraction, with discussion and explanation. However, these strategies do not always suit the ages of all the children present.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children work harmoniously with others, helping each other out with activities and during free play. They make choices and take decisions in their play, frequently extending activities to their

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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 own ideas. Children develop self-esteem and respect for others through art and craft activities, playing games and sharing toys and equipment. They are aware of their own needs and the needs of others, attracting the childminder’s attention to younger children if necessary. Children receive appropriate support in their activities and in their play as the childminder interacts with all children on their own level.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare and well-being are high priority to the childminder. She ensures children have positive support and provides high levels of interaction by caring for them in small groups. Children are at home and at ease within the family environment and play happily in the childminder's care, which contributes to them feeling confident to initiate their own play. Children's development through play benefits from the childminder's organisation of the toys, resources and equipment.

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Organisation

The childminder organises time well and provides an appropriate balance of indoor and outdoor play, which extends most children's learning and development. Clear and detailed policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s enjoyment and achievement. These include sickness, behaviour, equal opportunities, child protection and fire evacuation. All permissions and records for each child are in place, with parents receiving copies of policies in their welcome pack. Documentation is regularly reviewed and updated, well-organised and secure, with confidentiality maintained.

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Organisation

Overall, 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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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 • further develop behaviour management strategies to suit the ages of all children present • develop the variety of experiences and activities to encourage learning and development for children under three years

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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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