Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344862 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2007 Inspection date Sara Jane Frost 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 2007. She lives with her partner and two children aged five years and 16 months in Wadebridge. The whole of the ground floor flat 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 part-time and one child before school. The childminder

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

walks to local schools to take and collect children. She regularly takes children to the local library, park and toy library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has achieved a BTEC National diploma in childhood studies and 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. Children's health is promoted well as the childminder encourages children to develop good hygiene practices. For example, children wash their hands at appropriate times. By the childminder developing different strategies such as 'making bubbles with the soap' children enjoy the process and at the same time begin to understand the reasoning behind the need to wash their hands. The childminder has completed her paediatric first aid training and systems are in place to record each child's individual medical requirements. Parents give consent to seek emergency medical treatment; however, no parental consent has been obtained to seek emergency medical advice. The risk of spreading infection is reduced as children with infectious illnesses are excluded. The childminder's 'sick child policy' explains how children who become ill whilst at the childminder's are appropriately cared for until suitable arrangements are made

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's fluid intake is maintained throughout the day as the childminder ensures children have access to regular drinks. Although parents currently provide the children's meals the childminder shows a good awareness of healthy eating. At meal times children are encouraged to sit together thus helping to develop their social skills. Children receive plenty of fresh air as they regularly walk to and from the local school and enjoy visits to the local play parks.

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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 inviting home where risks are identified and minimised. For example, safety gates are used to deny unsupervised access into the kitchen area. This means children can move safely and freely around the childminder's home. Children are protected well, for example, the childminder has devised a system to record all visitors to her home and the reason for their visit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a range of good quality toys which meet safety standards. Although the room is set out ready for when the children arrive the childminder ensures children are able to independently access various resources throughout their day. All the required fire safety equipment is in place. Although records are not available, the childminder states a fire evacuation procedure has been completed but not, with all the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder teaches them about road safety, as they are escorted to and from school. Children confidently discuss the process, they are able to describe how 'they need to listen and look for cars, if they cannot see or hear any they can then begin to cross the road'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes children's safety and welfare; she has a clear understanding of child protection and knows the process to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have settled well and clearly enjoy their time at the childminder's. Children clearly benefit from the individual attention they receive. The childminder has developed a planned

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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 programme which provides a good range of activities. The programme is not set in stone, as the childminder is receptive to the children's interests. For example, having come home from pre-school a child wanted to make school crossing patrol sign. This they did and the childminder was able to use activity to reinforce the child's awareness of road safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

By skilfully asking questions about the story book and introducing telephone numbers through play the childminder encourages the children's language and mathematical awareness. Children clearly enjoyed playing the 'hullabaloo' game, which involves listening and following simple instructions. The childminder provides opportunities to encourage role play. For example, an area in the lounge was transformed into a café. Often children re-enact their morning at pre-school, especially circle time, the childminder is regularly required to sit and take part in 'show and tell'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides opportunities for children to socialize with others; for example, through regularly visiting story-time at the local library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the wider world through a range of resources, such as puzzles, books and role play items. The childminder has developed a good understanding of the children's individual needs. For example, she is aware that some children have very short attention spans and regularly provides different options in play and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good strategies to ensure children learn right from wrong and encourage sharing and taking turns. The introduction of 'our rules' devised with the children is an effective working resource. Praise is regularly given and children are encouraged to say please and thank you. The childminder encourages children to have respect for each other and the toys they play with. For example, she encourages children to help carefully put away resources not being used before others are taken out. The childminder has a very calm approach. Children respond well and on the whole their behaviour is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit as the childminder has developed an effective working relationship with parents. Daily verbal feedback is given to ensure parents are made fully aware of their child's day. Any specific issues are discussed and strategies are developed to ensure children's care is consistent.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well prepared home environment, with activities readily organised before they arrive. Children are well protected through the childminder's good supervision, records and by ensuring they are not left alone with unvetted persons.

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Organisation

The childminder has a childcare qualification. She states she has accessed the pre-registration course through distance learning. However, the childminder currently is unable to show proof of completion. Although this is a requirement to be completed within six months of commencing childminding; records show the childminder only started childminding in January 2007.

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Organisation

The childminder has most of the required documentation in place. Records are stored appropriately and kept confidential. The childminder meets 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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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): • obtain parental consent to seek emergency medical advice • devise a system to record fire evacuation processes and develop children's awareness • ensure evidence is held to show the required pre-registration course has been completed

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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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