Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY286569 Unique Reference Number 26 April 2007 Inspection date Karen Eunice Millerchip 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 2004. She lives with her sons aged six and three years. They live in Bedworth, Warwickshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding along with two of the upstairs bedrooms. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years and currently minds one child every day and one child on a part-time basis. There are no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities attending at present, but the childminder has effective support systems in place.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is within walking distance to local schools, attends local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the local park. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 take part in a good variety of activities, which contribute to their health. They use bikes, scooters and wheeled toys during visits to local playing fields with the childminder to help them develop control and co-ordination. They have access to the childminder's garden where they enjoy role play in the play house and help with the gardening. They attend toddler groups with the childminder where they take part in physical activities and they walk every day to local schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about the importance of hygiene and personal care. They learn to wash their hands after using the toilet and before snacks and meals. They are provided with individual flannels and towels to prevent cross-infection. Their health is safeguarded because the childminder has a current first aid certificate, a fully stocked first aid box and well-ordered systems to record accidents and medication given to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a choice of foods during the day and a menu has been developed to ensure they are introduced to different foods. Time for drinks and snacks is incorporated into the daily routine and children discuss healthy food and the effect it has on their body. Children's individual dietary needs are provided for as good information sharing takes place with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home where their needs are given priority. Most risks to children have been identified and minimised wherever possible. Daily checks ensure that children move around the home safely and freely. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. They know that they need to stay close to the childminder when out of the home and they learn how to cross a road safely. Additional safeguards, for example, include the use of identity wrist tags when on outings and discussions about 'Stranger Danger' ensure that children are protected as far as is possible from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children choose from toys of good quality and the childminder makes daily checks of safety equipment. Children practise fire drills and can see effective written procedures for emergency escape from the premises, however, children's safety is potentially compromised as the emergency escape routine does not include the procedures to be followed if children are playing on the first floor. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has all required documentation and many additional written policies and procedures, which help to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from risk of harm by the childminder's secure knowledge of child protection procedures; she has attended recent training to keep up to date with changes in local guidance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the childminders home and are happy and confident. They make good relationships with the childminder and her family. Children socialise with other children during visits to or from other local childminders and when attending organised groups, for example, 'Rhyme Time'. They benefit from learning and play opportunities in the home, during daily walks, visits and outings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose from a range of toys, which are easily accessed in the lounge and are changed frequently to add variety. Boxes are clearly labelled with words and pictures to encourage children's understanding of written words and to facilitate free choice. Children use toys and play opportunities to develop new skills. For example, the child present was delighted to help make the play dough and showed confidence in counting cupfuls of flour and mixing the ingredients together. Children's language is developing well and they are encouraged to learn new words during the day as the childminder is actively involved with their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children choose from a good range of resources, which include toys and books to develop positive understanding of different cultures and people with different abilities. For example, children join in festival celebrations at toddler group and are introduced to different utensils and cutlery within the home. They use pictures and books to talk about the festivals and try foods associated with the celebration. They play with dolls, figures and books representative of different cultures and abilities. They learn to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences through discussion and during play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are respected and valued and receive individual care according to their needs. They have equal access to a good range of resources, which are supplemented by using the local toy library. They receive ongoing praise and support and willingly respond to requests from the childminder to share, take turns and behave well. Children have clear guidelines and boundaries that help them learn about how their actions may affect others and what the childminder's expectations are for their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's information is exchanged prior to the child starting at the setting and a gradual settling in period is planned, this helps promote consistency of care and children develop a sense of security. Relationships are well-developed and daily written and verbal information sharing ensures children's changing needs are identified and met. A daily diary is maintained to ensure parents are kept informed of their child's daily activities and parents contribute with aspects of their home life. Questionnaires and review sheets are used to monitor the quality of care provided and to ensure parents views are valued.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at ease in a well-organised, homely environment. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills, which promote a learning environment. Children use the playroom and other rooms in the home to enjoy a wide variety of well planned and

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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 spontaneous activities. The children are confident and they invent and extend their own games and play. Regular visits outside of the home contributes to children's social and physical skills.

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Organisation

A good range of written policies and procedures are used to keep children safe, healthy and ensure that parents understand the aims and objectives of the setting. The childminder’s practice is effective in meeting the needs of individual children. The childminder has all the required information and consent from parents to promote children's welfare. Regular attendance at training courses to improve skills and knowledge has a good impact on the care of the children. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to develop her knowledge and understanding in relation to the procedures to be followed in the event of a child protection concern. Children are now suitably protected as the childminder has attended training and has new documentation on the Local Safeguarding Children Board provided by the local authority. This is displayed on the wall to develop a mutual understanding with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • update the current emergency escape plan to include the procedures to be followed when children are using the first floor.

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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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