Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345168 Unique Reference Number 26 April 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her two adult daughters, her 11 year old son and 9 year old daughter in a detached home in Amesbury. All of the house may be used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children at any one time. There are currently three children on role. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for two children. Her daughter acts as an assistant.

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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 satisfactory. Children are learning about good hygiene practice. They wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and have separate hand towels to prevent cross infection. They also use wet wipes to clean their hands and faces after eating. They talk about helping at home with

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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 the cleaning and the childminder tells them that food that has dropped onto the floor must be put in the bin. Younger children's hygiene needs are met through appropriate nappy changing procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have sufficiently healthy food and drink. The childminder supplies drinks of water, juice or milk and snacks of fruit. Parents supply packed lunches. The childminder informs them if the child cannot eat everything or if they don't like a particular food but she does not actively encourage them to send nutritious food. Children are learning about healthy eating through discussion. The childminder tells then that fish is a "Brain food" and they talk about eating "Five a day".

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected appropriately from illness and infection. The childminder does not care for children that are unwell and has information about exclusion periods for contagious illnesses. Children's first aid needs are met appropriately. Although the childminder does not have a current first aid qualification she has previously completed relevant training. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise. They play in the garden with a variety of equipment and visit the local park.

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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 are learning about road safety when they walk to and from school. They are also learning through discussion with the childminder. She explains that a child cannot play with a construction set because the younger children could choke on the small pieces.

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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. They cannot access the kitchen or stairs and all hazardous materials are stored out of reach. The childminder makes ongoing checks to ensure the toys and equipment are safe. She has smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector and has made a fire escape plan. Children are always directly supervised since the childminder works with an assistant. Children's safety in the garden is ensured. The garden is fully enclosed and the gate is kept locked. There are no poisonous plants or standing water and the shed is locked. Children are kept safe on outings. They hold onto the buggy or wear reins and the childminder carries emergency contact details with her at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues. She has attended relevant training and has a clear understanding of the possible indicators of abuse such as children using inappropriate language and play. She knows what to do if she has concerns about a child and is aware of the need to keep a record of any existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a wide range of stimulating activities. The childminder draws up weekly planning that covers activities such as cooking, arts and crafts and song and dance. She is flexible, however, and if children do not want to do a planned activity or are busy with something else she adapts accordingly. She uses the Birth to three framework as guidance when caring for younger children. The childminder has a clear understanding of how children can learn through play and introduces number and colour recognition into many activities. Children are learning through discussion. For example, they talk about fish and where they live. They have

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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 easy access to an extensive range of age-appropriate resources that cover all areas of their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident. A child boasts that they can count to 10 and another says that they need a story. They move around confidently. For example, a child fetches their lunchbox and another goes to get a book to look at. Their self esteem is boosted by praise from the childminder and her assistant. They praise a child's singing and tell another how clever they are. Children have good opportunities to make choices. They can select toys easily from open shelving and the childminder asks them what they would like to do. Children's interests are catered for. For example, a child likes gardening so the childminder has bought seedlings for them to plant out.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children actively contribute to the setting. They tidy up in the garden and a child helps to carry food through from the kitchen. They have positive relationships with one another. They sit and chat together at lunchtime and an older child shows affection to a baby. Children are well behaved. They say "Excuse me" when they want to speak and know rules such as not talking with their mouths full. The childminder reminds them to say please and thank you and explains that hurting other children is not acceptable. She uses effective strategies to manage their behaviour. She offers plenty of praise for good behaviour and uses a range of books about behaviour as a starting point for discussion with children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about wider society. They use a wide range of resources that promote diversity including dolls, small world figures, dressing up clothes, books and puzzles. They also take part in activities relating to festivals around the world. The childminder promotes equal opportunities by challenging children's assumptions. For example, a child talks about a fisherman and the childminder points out that there are fisherwomen as well. She has previously cared for a child with English as an additional language and worked closely with parents to ensure that she could communicate with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is not currently caring for any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has, however, had previous experience and has a sound understanding of the need to work in liaison with parents and other agencies. Children are learning about disability through using books and small world figures that show positive images of disability and a "Values of Inclusion " poster is displayed in the playroom.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective working relationship between the parents and childminder. The childminder uses contracts and records of information to collect information and set out the terms of the childminding arrangement. She shares information with parents through discussion and written diaries and offers them support.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised environment. They use a dedicated playroom that is decorated with colourful posters and displays of children's work. It provides a welcoming environment with child-sized furniture and colourful storage boxes. Children have easy access to resources since they are stored in labelled boxes on open shelving. Toys for younger children are kept at the bottom so that they can reach them safely.

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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 experience and training. She has seven years of previous childminding experience and has attended the Introduction to Childminding course and a Child Protection course. She works with her daughter who has completed part of a relevant NVQ. Both are keen to attend further training.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is enhanced through the keeping of all necessary records, policies and procedures. The childminder keeps a record of daily attendance and is aware of the need to keep records of accidents and medication administered. She informs parents of how to contact Ofsted and is aware that she should keep a record of any complaints. However, she does not have written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Organisation

Overall the provider meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

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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): • encourage parents to provide healthy lunchboxes • ensure parents give written consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice

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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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