Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346742 Unique Reference Number 18 April 2007 Inspection date Nikki Whinton 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 lives with her husband and three children aged 16, six and five years in Elcombe near Wroughton, Wiltshire. Most of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight years at any one time and is currently minding six children, of whom one attends on a full-time basis. She attends the local carer and toddler group. The family has a tank of fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play and sleep within premises that are very clean, well maintained and of an appropriate temperature. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of the importance of taking positive steps to promote good health and hygiene. For example, she has a current first aid qualification, written parental permission has been obtained to apply sun cream, hygienic nappy changing routines are observed, children use separate paper towel when hand drying to

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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 reduce the risk of cross contamination and a sick child policy is shared with parents as part of registration. Correct administrative procedures are in place if accidents occur, although parents do not sign the medication form when requesting that medicines be given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied menu of healthy snacks during their time in the provision. They are encouraged to try new foods, such as Naan bread or fresh pineapple and thus develop their appreciation of food tastes. Food provided by parents is correctly stored. Any dietary needs or allergies are discussed with parents prior to a child commencing in the provision. These discussions are recorded and any needs accommodated. Children are regularly offered drinks, which helps to ensure they are consuming liquids in sufficient quantities to meet their varying needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the provision. They have frequent opportunities for fresh air and exercise whilst playing in the childminder's garden or during local countryside outings. They are able to use a variety of equipment, such as ride on vehicles, a tunnel and a trampette to help develop their large muscle skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Carefully labelled, colourful displays of children's artwork or photographs of children engaged in activities help to create a welcoming environment for parents. Sleeping infants have their own designated cots and a separate sleep room to enable them to have uninterrupted rest. Children's safety has a high priority. Safety equipment checks are regularly completed and emergency evacuation drills are practised. There is a range of safety measures in place to promote safety and help prevent accidents. For example, the premises are secure, hazardous materials are stored out of the reach of children and a fire blanket is easily accessible in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with an extensive range of clean, well-maintained equipment. They benefit from the childminder's very secure knowledge of safety issues surrounding the initial purchase and ongoing cleaning and maintenance of equipment. As a result, children use age appropriate toys that are safe, suitable and help to promote their development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is safeguarded by a childminder who has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is being abused. There are appropriate arrangements for making parents aware of the provider's child protection responsibilities. However, the childminder does not have a secure knowledge of exactly the procedures to follow if concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, relaxed and appear very 'at home' within the provision. The children have a very positive relationship with the genuinely caring childminder. They confidently self-select from an inviting variety of resources that are carefully displayed to encourage exploration. For example, one child decides to investigate a treasure basket containing shiny metal objects, before choosing to play with a hand puppet and later finding a baby doll to cuddle. The childminder observes the children carefully, allowing them to investigate resources for themselves, before skilfully joining in their play to help enhance their enjoyment and learning. Children's development is supported by a childminder who completes regular written observations

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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 of the children that are linked to the Birth to three matters framework, used when planning for future activities and shared with parents on a regular basis.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a variety of outings, such as to Rove's Farm, Lydiard Park, the local carer and toddler group or weekly childminder support group meetings. Such opportunities enable children to use an additional range of equipment, integrate with a wider peer group and gain an awareness of their local environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder knowing them well, clearly understanding their differing needs and from having an awareness of their home circumstances. Each child is treated as a valued individual. They play with a variety of resources, including dressing up clothes, musical instruments, books, puzzles, dolls and small world toys, to help them gain an awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is supported through positive, age appropriate strategies including praise, distraction and explaining why behaviour is not appropriate. The childminder's behaviour management policy is included within the parents' pack and discussed as part of registration, to ensure a consistency of approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are very good links built between home and the setting. Parents are given an informative welcome pack and receive a written 'settling in' report about their child, after a month in the provision. They are kept fully up to date about activities their child has experienced and progress achieved, through a daily written diary sheet, carefully completed observation records, scrapbooks and regular informal discussion at the beginning or end of the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is an experienced, skilled early years practitioner. The provision is well organised. For example, the routine is arranged to ensure children's sleep patterns are respected, resources are easily available to the children for self-selection and a specific sleep cot is allocated to each child. She makes good use of her home and local facilities in order to offer children a wide range of appropriate play opportunities.

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Organisation

All legally required paperwork is carefully maintained and confidentially stored. For example, children's personal details sheets are easily available to support their care. However, the daily register of attendance is not always completed in ink, on a daily basis, to clearly show children's actual arrival and departure times.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 by parents.

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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): • ensure the register of children's attendance is completed on a daily basis, in ink, showing children's actual arrival and departure times • develop understanding of the correct procedures to follow if concerned about the welfare of a child.

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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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