Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336537 Unique Reference Number 24 April 2007 Inspection date Jo Blackman 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 satisfactory. 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children, aged one and three years in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for two children under five, of which both are cared for on a part-time basis, and one child over five before and after school each day.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to take children to, and collect them from, local schools. She attends the local toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They are able to fully participate in the activities offered because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child development to

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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 adapt these to a suitable level. The children are well supported by the childminder, promoting their confidence to try out new skills and experiences. Routines are in place for children to follow in order to limit the spread of infection and ensure that children are cared for in a clean environment. However, the childminder has not obtained written parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice and this affects children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are clearly understood and they are offered nutritious snacks and meals because the childminder has an understanding of healthy eating and meeting the individual needs of all children. Meals are cooked using fresh ingredients and include a variety such as fresh meat, pasta and vegetables. Children's physical development is promoted through their participation in a variety of activities. They are developing control of their bodies and a wide range of skills through regular opportunities for physical activities, for example, walking to and from school, visiting the local parks and enjoying regular music and movement activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well-maintained home. There are a wide variety of quality toys and resources that they may make individual choices from, for example, they choose to use play dough to creatively make a birthday cake. Children's safety is generally sound as the childminder has an awareness of risks and takes some steps to minimise these. For example, children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks with them about issues such as road safety whilst walking to and from school, ensuring that they stay close to her at all times. However, children are not aware of the fire evacuation procedure and this is not practised. Therefore, this compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to independently select activities from a range of age-appropriate toys and equipment which are rotated regularly to offer more choice and variety to the children. The childminder supervises this choice, ensuring that they are safe and appropriate for the children's ability and stages of development. Children's welfare is generally promoted because the childminder has an understanding of child protection. However, the childminder has a limited knowledge and understanding of the required documentation, therefore, correct procedures are not followed when reporting concerns, potentially affecting children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home, confidently making choices about the toys and activities they participate in. They are offered a wide variety of activities which help to promote their development, including their imagination. Examples of this are dressing-up clothes, reading and craft activities such as, play dough. Children play well together and are aware of sharing and turn taking. An example of this is during a game of 'Lotto' as the children say "It's your turn now" to each other.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to enjoy physical play in the garden as the childminder provides a range of toys and equipment such as a climbing frame which is suitable for the ages and stages of the children cared for. The childminder is able to use her knowledge of child development to adapt activities to suit the ability of each child. For example, during the 'Lotto' game the childminder skilfully supports the younger children whilst encouraging the older children to look for the correct pieces themselves first. However, the childminder has a limited understanding of the

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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 'Birth to three matters' framework and is currently developing her understanding of this in order for it to be used effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to feel valued and respected because the childminder makes sure that she is aware of their individual needs and beliefs and is therefore, able to meet these consistently. They are always treated as individuals and are encouraged to respect each other and work together. Children are developing their understanding of each other's needs, their behaviour is good and they have a clear understanding of the ground rules which are consistently applied by the childminder. For example, they are gently reminded to say 'please' and 'thank you' and are consistently encouraged to be kind to each other. Children's self-esteem is promoted through individual art work being displayed around the childminder's home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children from all backgrounds are welcomed by the childminder and although she has a limited experience of working with children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities no child is discriminated against. Children are encouraged to respect other cultures and ways of life through their access to resources such as books, dressing-up clothes and dolls, helping to increase their understanding of this area. Children benefit from the way in which the childminder works in partnership with parents, ensuring that they are fully informed of their children's progress and activities through regularly communicating with them. In the event of parents having a complaint they are aware of the procedure to follow.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall children's needs are met. Resources are suitably organised and children are able to determine their own play through choice and self-selection. The individual needs of children are met as the childminder makes sure that she has all necessary information about the minded children and ensures that she clearly understands this although, not all paperwork is in place. Their emotional and physical development are both promoted through the childminder's organisation of her daily work. She makes sure that there is time to offer children a range of activities and play opportunities both inside and outside the home whilst ensuring that she is able to meet her commitments in terms of collecting children at the correct time. The childminder organises her work to ensure that children are supervised at all times and she confidentially shares documentation with parents. The childminder displays her registration certificate, this

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Organisation

allows parents to see the conditions of her registration.

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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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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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure that written parental permission, for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment, is in place for each child • ensure that the emergency escape plan is practised • develop knowledge and understanding of the procedures to be followed in the event of a child protection concern • improve outcomes for younger children, for example, in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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