Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343590 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2007 Inspection date Rosemary Davies 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2006. She lives with her two teen-aged children in a three bedroomed house in the Old Town area of Swindon, Wiltshire. Shops, a park, library and other town amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder can take children to, and collect them from, local schools and pre-schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children use the entire house but in practice, the upstairs is used mostly for sleeping purposes. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Her registration permits her to care for six children under the age of eight years, at any one time. Although the childminder has minded recently, at the time of this inspection, she has no children on roll.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder promotes children's good health and physical well-being appropriately. Discussion and paperwork indicate that she provides children with healthy snacks of fresh or dried fruits and such options as yoghurt, fruit kebabs and rice cakes. Children bring packed lunches to sustain them through the day. The childminder stores these appropriately, refrigerating perishable items. The childminder has a thorough understanding of food and kitchen hygiene, from undertaking relevant courses. She maintains a clean home for children's use. The childminder makes sure that parents know when to keep their children at home if ill, although she is less certain about those illnesses that are notifiable ones. The childminder has an appropriate first aid certificate but she does not seek written permission from parents for emergency medical care or treatment, should the children require this when in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Discussion and photographs indicate that the childminder ensures children have daily fresh air and exercise, through walks in the locality and regular visits to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder understands the principles of risk assessment. She identifies possible dangers to children's safety and minimises these appropriately. She makes sharp knives and hazardous materials inaccessible to children, covering electrical sockets and securing wires, so that these cannot be played with. Suitable fire precautions are in place. The childminder has worked out an emergency evacuation procedure but has not practised this with the children. The childminder understands the need to keep children safe when on walks in the locality. Through discussion she supplied evidence to indicate how she encourages children to learn about crossing roads safely. The childminder understands her responsibilities for safeguarding children. She has undertaken additional training in child protection to enhance her understanding in this area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder organises her home well for childminding purposes. She makes her home welcoming and provides suitable toys and resources for the children's use. She makes sure children can access these easily. Resources are kept in good condition.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a secure understanding of child development. She uses her knowledge well to provide an enjoyable and suitable range of activities and experiences for the children in her care. Children have access to a variety of materials. Photographs show children blowing bubbles, for example, and learning about the natural world around them when on walks. Trips out into the locality help children extend their vocabularies; children see swans, for example. The childminder provides dressing-up clothes, mark-making materials, paint and playdough for children to express their creative sides. The childminder does not encourage children to socialise with others, such as through visiting toddler groups. She does, however, provide a well-balanced day for children, with routines which meet their welfare needs suitably.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder's home is open to all children. She understands the need to treat children as individuals and to provide time for each one separately. She understands that some children have additional needs. Children see positive images of other cultures and the diversity of the world, when in this childminder's home. She is able to tell children about foods from other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has clear expectations for children's behaviour, which she shares with parents. She tells parents of her childminding methods and shares her policies and procedures with them. At the time of this inspection, however, parents do not receive individual copies of her policies to peruse at their leisure. The childminder keeps parents well informed about what children do when in her care. She records daily details of what children have eaten, how long they have slept and what activities have been undertaken. The childminder gives parents current contact details of the regulator, Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has been minding for a short time only and had no children on roll at the time of this inspection. Nevertheless, she demonstrates her professional approach and a real commitment to her role through her willingness to undertake regular training. This helps her to develop her knowledge and understanding of childcare further. All legally required documentation is in place; her register of children attending is kept properly. A suitable range of written policies and procedures are already in place to help underpin her practice. Paperwork is kept securely, confidentially and is ready for inspection. It is efficiently organised, although the childminder is unsure as to how long some records must be retained. The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children from persons who have not been police checked. She adheres to the required adult to child ratio for her conditions of registration. She

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Organisation

organises her home and time well for childminding purposes. 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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): • seek parental permission for emergency medical care and attention • consider providing parents and carers with individual written details of her childminding methods • practise the emergency evacuation procedure.

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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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