Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347069 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2007 Inspection date Christine Slaney 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 has been registered since January 2007 and lives with her two school aged children, in a two bedroomed terraced cottage in the centre of Kingsbridge. There is a secure, fenced, outside play space. There are shops, a park, a library, schools, pre-schools, and toddler groups nearby.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to five children under eight years. There are currently eight children enrolled.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has previously minded children while living in other parts of the UK and abroad, and has also worked in a nursery class setting. She is a member of the Devon Childminding Association, completing their foundation course in January 2007.

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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 develop an understanding of personal hygiene. This is because daily routines such as hand-washing before meals and after toileting are effective. There is a sickness policy, which is shared with parents. This ensures the risk of infection is minimised. Children rest and sleep following their home routines. Positive steps have been taken when children have an accident. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and accident and medicine records are in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks such as fruit. They have regular access to fresh drinking water in their own special cups, which ensures they are not thirsty. Main meals provided by parents are appropriately stored by the childminder. Clear procedures assure the children's good health when the childminder deals with allergies and special dietary requirements. Mealtimes are relaxed, sociable occasions. Young children sit in highchairs at the table to eat their food and the childminder is a positive role model as she encourages good manners.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and active play outside each day. This contributes to their good health. They take pleasure in a varied range of activities, which effectively promotes their physical development. Children play with wheeled toys and use a small climbing frame with developing control and balance. In addition they effectively manoeuvre pushchairs around the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a welcoming home and are well supervised both indoors and outside. In addition they have quiet, comfortable places to sleep when they become tired. Children are able to self select from a good range of toys and equipment, which meet required safety standards and their developmental needs. They are all clean and in good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment because potential hazards have been minimised by the use of safety equipment, which include stair gates. In addition the premises are secure and the children are protected. This is because an evacuation procedure has been devised and children are aware of the sound of the smoke alarm as this is activated regularly. This ensures it is in good working order and that children become familiar with the sound.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is further safeguarded by the childminder's secure understanding of the child protection procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. They freely explore their environment, for example play purposefully with cars at a child level play tray. This means children thoroughly enjoy play and make decisions about what they want to play with. In addition the childminder encourages children to self select, for instance to collect a doll from the toy box to place in a pushchair. The childminder is warm and sensitive to the children. Therefore trusting relationships are developed and this helps children feel secure. She offers constant praise, which raises the children's self-esteem and promotes their confidence.

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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 Children enjoy a stimulating range of activities, which are appropriate to their individual stages of development. The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework but is not yet using it to fully inform her practice

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met because the childminder consults with parents about their personal requirements. They follow familiar routines which helps them to develop a sense of belonging. They develop a good awareness of cultural and social diversity in meaningful ways; for example, by exploring books and toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing personal independence as they make choices and take decisions within their play. Children play happily and co-operatively and are sociable and secure. The childminder ensures that behaviour is managed with the use of praise, explanation and distraction. Children are well behaved and respond well to the childminder's constant attention and the praise they receive for positive behaviour. Children are encouraged to be involved in their activities. This means they are absorbed in purposeful play and as a result they behave very well. Children learn to develop respect for themselves and others because they are encouraged to say sorry if they hurt one another either physically or feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes and continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children play in a well organised environment where they clearly feel at home. They enjoy the space to move freely between rooms, and outside play activities enjoying a range of appropriate activities, that help them to develop in all areas. The day is organised around the children's routines and the childminder who is sensitive and caring is actively involved in children's spontaneous play.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place to support good care and records are stored securely and confidentially. The childminder is interested in training to keep her knowledge and skills updated. She has attended various childcare courses on different aspects of childcare to enhance her practice.

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Organisation

The childminder protects children by keeping an accurate record of who is on the premises and the actual times of their arrival and departure are clearly recorded. This ensures it is always possible to tell who is on the premises.

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Organisation

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 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): • develop use of the Birth to three matters framework to plan for children's individual stages of development.

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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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