Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY294887 Unique Reference Number 02 November 2007 Inspection date Janice Walker 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. He lives with his family in a residential area of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The home is within walking distance of local schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor along with the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family keep a Dalmatian dog as a pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. He works with his wife who is also a registered childminder and together they may care for a maximum of eight children. Currently, between them, they are minding 13 children, six of whom are aged under eight years. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and has a vehicle available to take them on outings. He 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 are cared for in a clean and warm home. The childminder’s good standards of cleanliness and good practices regarding animal care help to minimise the risk of the spread of infection. This is supported by clear verbal arrangements with parents regarding children who are ill or infectious. Children are learning about basic personal hygiene through daily routines, such as hand washing before and after meals. Comprehensive systems are in place to respond to accidents and to emergencies relating to children’s individual health requirements, including first aid equipment and relevant medical information clearly recorded and readily to hand.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular drinks and they are well nourished. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating through the provision of meals which are varied and nutritious and which ensure children have the daily recommended intake of five portions of fruit and vegetables. Meals are home-made, using fresh ingredients with limited use of processed and sugary foods. Children’s understanding of a healthy diet is supported through fun activities such as playing a 'healthy and unhealthy food' board game. The childminder respects parents' wishes regarding meals, ensuring that he meets children’s individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily times outdoors, accessing regular fresh air and exercise. Children dress in suitable clothing and continue to enjoy fresh air in poor weather. They walk to and from school twice daily and regularly enjoy playing in the garden where the good range of equipment, including see-saw, ride-on toys and ball games, help to promote their physical development and co-ordination. They enjoy daily outings to a variety of local parks which provide further physical challenges along with opportunities to explore the natural environment.

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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 comfortable and well-maintained environment. The playroom is bright and welcoming where minded children’s art work and photographs of them at play adorn the walls. Children use good quality toys and equipment that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder has very good routines for ensuring that they are well maintained, cleaning and checking them on a regular basis and monitoring their condition as children use them to ensure that they do not pose a risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues and is vigilant in his supervision of the children. He has identified potential hazards and taken appropriate action to minimise risk of accidental injury by use of appropriate safety equipment such as stair gates, a fire guard and padded furnishings on the corners of furniture. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe through routines and discussions, for example, by practising the emergency escape plan. They remain safe outside of the home due to the childminder’s safe practices, such as routines for crossing the road and clear rules about children holding on to the push chair when walking on the pavements. The childminder gives high priority to children’s safety when dropping at, and collecting from school, he has good liaison with teaching staff and clear routines ensure children know where to meet him. Children are well protected as the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has a clear understanding of his responsibilities regarding child protection and has relevant contact numbers readily available if needed.

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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 are settled and very happy in the childminder's home. The childminder has warm relationships with them and creates a friendly atmosphere which encourages their personal confidence. He knows the children well and promotes their development through a wide variety of play and learning experiences, ensuring each child is supported at a level which is appropriate to their individual stage of development to facilitate their participation. The childminder organises his time well, providing a good balance of indoor activities, and time outside of the home, taking into consideration children’s individual routines and rest times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Indoors, younger children happily move around their secure identified play areas and begin to develop their independence as they freely select their toys from large storage crates on the floor. They enjoy exploring their toys and the childminder provides high levels of support, dedicating his time to playing with them. He encourages their language skills through shared story sessions and as he engages with them in conversation, listening intently to their efforts at speaking. Children attending after school freely select activities of their choice and particularly enjoy a range of art and craft activities. Opportunities for younger children to respond to the world creatively and with marks and symbols however, are less frequent. The childminder’s effective organisation of space allows sleeping children to rest undisturbed whilst others continue to engage in more lively activities. Children’s daily outings to local parks provide good

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities for physical activity and they learn about seasonal changes as they observe the natural environment and hunt for treasures such as leaves, conkers and dandelion seeds to bring home and use for sticking activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel valued and respected as individuals as the childminder has a sound knowledge of their individual needs along with their family backgrounds. He uses his knowledge to display information around the play room to initiate discussion about different cultures and beliefs. He sensitively challenges unacceptable remarks, gently explaining how and why they are not acceptable so that children learn to respect differences. He has appropriate systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and or disabilities and demonstrates a willingness to work in partnership with parents and relevant professionals to promote the welfare and development of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well due to the childminder’s clear and consistent boundaries and high levels of attention. Young children are learning to share and are developing a good understanding of fairness through his gentle support. His use of praise, to reinforce positive behaviour, contributes towards developing children's self-esteem. The childminder has good relationships with parents. He shares an appropriate range of information which keeps them well informed about practices and children’s daily care and activities. The childminders skilful interpersonal skills help ensure that children’s progress is discussed openly and honestly with parents to support his commitment to providing the best possible care and support for all children attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. Since his registration, the childminder has undertaken all the required training, such as first aid and the introduction to childminding practice. All required documentation is in place to safeguard and promote children’s welfare although not all relevant documentation is readily to hand to fully promote the smooth running of the provision. He has effective systems in place to share relevant information with parents which helps to promote continuity of children’s care.

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Organisation

Space in the home is effectively organised to create a safe and comfortable environment for children to play, rest and have their meals. In the playroom, bright and colourful furnishings abound and children’s art work and photographs of them at play adorn the walls, making this room particularly inviting. The childminder organises daily routines to ensure that children have opportunities to engage in a wide variety of experiences both inside and outside of the home. They are relaxed and happy in their environment, confidently moving around, choosing their toys and interacting with adults and each other. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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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

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): • improve outcomes for children under three by further developing use of the ‘Birth to three matters' framework, particularly with regards to 'representing' and 'being creative' • ensure that all relevant documentation is readily to hand and available for inspection, with regards to appropriate vehicle insurance.

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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 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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