Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343907 Unique Reference Number 14 May 2007 Inspection date Catherine, Louise Sample 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 two children, aged two and four years old, in a terraced house in Larkhill. The whole of the home is used for childminding including an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a tank of goldfish.

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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. There are currently two children on roll. She is registered to provide overnight care for two children. She is within walking distance of local schools and pre-schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about good hygiene practice. They wash their hands after using the toilet or potty and before eating. They use liquid soap or antibacterial hand wash and have separate

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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 hand towels to prevent cross infection. A sign in the bathroom reminds them to always wash their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have healthy food and drink. They have snacks such as breadsticks, cucumber, tomatoes and strawberries and drink water or juice. When the weather is hot they have a jug of drink in the garden so that they can help themselves at any time. Children sometimes have meals cooked by the childminder. Parents are informed of the types of food she supplies and are also given her nutrition policy. Children bring healthy packed lunches that are stored appropriately by the childminder. Children are learning about healthy eating. They talk with the childminder about strawberries making you big and strong and how apples are good for you.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected well from illness and infection. The childminder has a detailed sickness policy which includes effective measures such as a 24 hour exclusion period for children with sickness and diarrhoea. She does not care for children with infectious or notifiable diseases. Parents receive written information about procedures for serious accidents, first aid and medication. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise and outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning about how to stay safe. They talk about stranger danger and know that they must not talk to people they do not know. They are learning about road safety and help to look left and right when they cross a road. The childminder reminds them of safe practice. She warns them to sit down so that they do not fall and to mind their heads when crawling under the table.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can move about the setting safely due to effective measures. All hazardous materials are stored out of reach of children and low glass is protected. The first floor windows have locks and all sockets are covered. The childminder has drawn up a full emergency plan that includes procedures for dealing with fires and accidents. Children know that they must not play in the kitchen if the childminder is cooking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety outside is ensured by positive measures. The back garden is fully enclosed and has no poisonous plants or standing water. Children play safely on the trampoline. They are told that they must take turns and zip up the surround before using it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's thorough understanding of child protection issues. She has a sound knowledge of the possible indicators of abuse including unexplained bruises and marks and nervousness and tearfulness in children. She knows what to do if she has concerns about a child in her care. She shares her child protection policy with parents and informs them of her duty to refer any child protection concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident. They ask for help as they need it and are proud of their achievements. Their self esteem is boosted by praise. The childminder tells them how clever they are and praises a child for counting the number of play dough butterfly shapes. Children are developing independent skills. The childminder encourages them to try things for themselves such as using the rolling pin. Children have good opportunities to make choices. They have free access to

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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 easily accessible toys and equipment which means that they can help themselves to whatever they want to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a stimulating range of activities. These include cooking, arts and crafts, painting, role-play and trips to the library. They enjoy helping to plan activities and going out to get any necessary items such as ingredients for cooking. They have easy access to a wide range of age- appropriate resources that cover all areas of their development. Children are learning through play and through discussion with the childminder. For example, they talk about butterflies and learn new vocabulary. The childminder makes effective use of questioning to help children learn. She asks children to identify colours and shapes and to do simple counting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children actively contribute to the setting. They choose what they want to do and older children help to plan activities. They have positive relationships with one another. They play well together and a child fetches the play dough for another when they drop it.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They are learning to share and take turns. For example, they take turns at using the rolling pin. The childminder reminds them of how to behave well. She reminds them to say please and emphasises the importance of sharing and borrowing toys from one another. She has a sound understanding of behaviour management techniques and shares her behaviour policy with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about the wider society. They regularly use resources that promote equal opportunities including books and dolls. There are positive images of disability and different skin colour displayed on posters and activity sheets. The childminder is keen to further extend the range of resources and activities to help children learn about diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met well. The childminder collects relevant information from the parents to ensure that she can meet children's needs fully. She works closely with parents on issues, such as potty training, to ensure that each child's requirements are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective working relationship between the childminder and parents. The childminder respects parental wishes and seeks their consent for a variety of activities such as travelling on public transport. She has an information pack for parents that includes policies and procedures as well as information about the activities and meals that she provides. She is aware of the importance of communication. She shares information verbally with parents at the end of each day and also keeps a written diary.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment. They mainly use two ground floor rooms which provide them with plenty of play space. They also use the large garden which gives them space to run around freely and use a variety of outdoor play equipment. A welcoming environment has been created by displaying children's work and colourful posters and by each child having their own labelled peg in the hall. Children also benefit from well organised resources. Toys and equipment are stored at low level in clear boxes . This allows children to easily identify and access whatever they want to play with.

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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 Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to training. She has completed her first aid training and the Introduction to Childminding Practice. She is keen to extend her skills further once she has gained more experience.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is enhanced through the keeping of all necessary records, policies and procedures. The childminder has drawn up a comprehensive policy document which she shares with parents. She keeps all records accurately. For example, the register is completed daily and shows the exact times of children's arrival and departure. The childminder has a full complaints procedure and is aware of the need to keep a record of any complaints made by parents.

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Organisation

Overall the provider 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. 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): • continue to develop resources and activities that help children learn about diversity

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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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