Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY261306 Unique Reference Number 11 June 2007 Inspection date Mary Anne Henderson 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged five and three-year-old twins in a house in Telford. Two floors of the house are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for one child under one year old. The childminder drives and sometimes walks to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Areas used by the children and their toys and equipment are cleaned regularly to ensure a good standard of hygiene. Children's welfare is maintained because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and she has sought written parental permission to seek emergency medical

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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 treatment or advice for all children on roll. The children learn about the importance of cleanliness through routines as they wash their hands before eating and following outdoor and messy play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children gain a good understanding about healthy eating because they are provided with a varied diet. This includes meat, fish, vegetables, salad and pasta. They also have fruit for snack times. Children are prompted throughout the day to have a drink of water and they have water or fruit juice at snack time. The childminder talks to the children about foods that are good and foods that are not so good for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy a good range of outdoor activities including using large and small equipment in the garden such as trikes, scooter's and a trampoline. They also regularly visit the local park to use the equipment and to run around in the fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Strategies used to ensure children are kept safe are satisfactory. This includes talking to the children about crossing the road safely. Children learn about fire safety because they practise the evacuation procedures with the childminder. Areas are checked by the childminder to ensure they are safe before the children arrive. However, the low glass, trailing blind ties and open sockets have not been identified and minimised. This compromises the children's safety. Children's welfare is maintained because the childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children. She has undertaken training in child protection issues and has a sound knowledge of what to do should there be a concern.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make good use of the space made available to them to undertaken their activities. They can relax and watch a favourite DVD in the lounge, eat and engage in messy play at the dining table and choose from a range of toys and resources which are kept low-level for the children. The children are provided with a range of equipment to meet their physical requirements including buggies, travel cot, high chair and a range of car seats which are safe and suitable for all ages.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy a good range of outings to places of interest. This includes local walks, parks and the library. Very young children are well supported by the childminder because she has undertaken training in the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She also uses her underpinning knowledge of how children learn through play to plan for their progression in all areas of their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are independent and make choices about what they want to do. They enjoy a good range off activities including painting, dressing up, home corner and construction. There is a range of resources for children of all ages including young babies, toddlers, and school aged children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is written planning in place to ensure children's needs are identified and progression is evaluated. The planning in place is to support all children attending the setting.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. There are positive relationships between the parents and the childminder because there is open discussion about the children. Parents receive verbal feedback about children's routines, behaviour and development on a regular basis to ensure consistency between the setting and home. Parents have access to a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures about the service provided. This includes behaviour management, health and safety and the complaints procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children access a good range of toys and resources that positively reflect diversity, including dolls, small world people, books, posters and various resources to reflect disabilities. Children explore a range of festivals throughout the calendar year including Christmas and Chinese New Year. There are good procedures in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder would work close with parents and other professionals to meet children's individual requirements and to ensure an inclusive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are clear behaviour boundaries for children including helping to tidy up and washing hands before eating. Strategies used to manage behaviour include distraction and discussion about what has gone on and talking to the children about the feelings of others. Rewards stickers are used to promote desirable behaviour with the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a clean, well organised environment where they are encouraged to choose what they would like to do. They are cared for by persons who have been vetted and well protected from those who have not. Ratios are good and all paperwork is current, up-to-date and signed by both parties to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all children.

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Organisation

Records and documentation are shared with the parents on an ongoing basis. All required documentation was made available for inspection including written parental permission to administer medication, dietary requirements, contractual agreements and children's information sheets. The registers show clean records of the attendance and departure times of the children. Parents are made aware of the complaints procedures through the use of a written policy. The registration certificate is displayed. Overall children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require the provider or Ofsted to taken 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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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

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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): • identify and minimise hazards in the indoor areas.

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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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