Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY259384 Unique Reference Number 25 October 2007 Inspection date Jasmin Myles-Wilson 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 has been registered since 2003 and lives with her husband and their three children in the Ashfield suburb of Kirkby. Local amenities and various schools are within close proximity to the premises. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed back garden available. The family has two cats as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are four children on roll; one child aged under two years, two children aged under five years and one child aged under eight years. The childminder walks to take and collect children from school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local toddler group on a weekly basis and 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 satisfactory. Children are suitably protected and their health is promoted by appropriate routines and hygiene practices such as washing their hands before eating or after playing with play dough. Children understand that they contribute towards keeping themselves healthy. For example, they know that if they do not wash the germs off their hands before eating, they may be susceptible to illnesses. Appropriate strategies are in place to care for family pets and the home is suitably maintained, reducing the spread of infections. Children receive appropriate care when they are ill or injured and sufficient accidents records are kept.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the food they eat which is healthy and nutritious and young children are becoming independent in feeding themselves. Provision of healthy drinks such as water is available to children throughout the day. Children learn about a healthy lifestyle through having a balanced diet and sufficient opportunity to rest or exercise according to their needs. Therefore, their emotional well-being is appropriately promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Appropriate procedures are in place to ensure accidents to children are kept to a minimum and ensures children safely access areas within the home. Children are cared for in a safe and appropriately maintained environment. They select what they want to do from a sufficient range of activities which are appropriately stored. The childminder is aware of children's varying ages and when appropriate she divides the space sufficiently so that children have enough room to play and move around. She also ensures that all equipment and resources are suitably maintained, used appropriately and checked, therefore, children use resources that do not pose harm to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop an understanding of safety issues through conversations with the childminder. For example, they learn how they should behave when they are near the road. The childminder has satisfactory knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and is aware of what to do and who to contact in the event of suspected abuse, therefore, children are safeguarded and their welfare is protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's all-round development is fostered well as the childminder provides a good range of activities for them, which includes using other relevant and appropriate resources such as toddler groups or the park. They enjoy and independently select activities which are developmentally appropriate and are of interest to them. This helps them quickly engage, for example, looking at real life dinosaur eggs or baking cakes. Positive and fun relationships are fostered through the childminder having a relaxed friendly manner and being involved in children's play assisting them when necessary. For example, when children struggle to find South Africa on the world globe they ask childminder for help. Therefore, children are confident, happy and settled in the childminder’s care and they thoroughly enjoy their play and being with her.

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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 Good communication techniques are used with the children and toddlers which enables them to develop and make good progress in their thinking and language. For example, the childminder asks children, what would happen if they spread all the cards across the floor where other children are playing? Children think, then refrain from putting the cards across the floor. Children confidently communicate and initiate conversations with the childminder. For example, on hearing the bin men children inform childminder that the bin men take rubbish to the dump, then a conversation about what type of rubbish is being collected begins. Young children are becoming increasingly vocal and interested in their environment. The space, resources and equipment provided is organised in a way that helps children take initiative and develop

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated as individuals and have access to whatever is available. At present no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities attend. The childminder has good understanding, a positive attitude and actively promotes equal opportunities in her service. For example, treats children as individuals and they receive an equal amount of concern for their need. They also have a good range of resources that display positive images and visit places of interest which helps them develop good awareness of the wider world and their community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to respect and be polite to each other in various ways such as the childminder being a good role model, using consistency and gentle reinforcement. For example, constantly reinforcing with children the idea of sharing resources with each other. The childminder uses good strategies to manage behaviour such as focusing on positive behaviour and being consistent. Children benefit from this and learn what behaviour is acceptable, however, the childminder does not explain to children why they have been asked not do something. Therefore, children are not aware of why they should not stand up on the chair. Children develop in self-esteem and confidence as they are valued, given good opportunities to be independent, receive praise, smiles and encouragement. For example, when children play well together they are praised. Children hearing this feel good about themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents and children benefit from this. The childminder is friendly with parents, keeps required information on children and has written contracts with parents. The childminder welcomes parents into her home and shares information with them about their children in various ways on a daily basis. The childminder adheres to parents wishes and follows them to best of her ability so that children's individual needs are effectively met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an appropriately organised environment. They have safe access to areas that are designated to them and are supervised at all times. Children receive appropriate care and attention as the childminder spends sufficient time with them and has sufficient knowledge and experience.

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Organisation

The childminder understands the need to maintain and keep documentation, however, the daily registration system is not up to date. Documentation is organised, easily accessible and confidentially stored. The childminder has relevant and required documentation in place,

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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 therefore, children benefit from this as the childminder cares for them appropriately. She is aware of what Ofsted expects of her, for example, she realises her responsibility is to inform Ofsted when there are any significant changes or events.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made for the childminder to develop her knowledge of the guidelines for child protection, and to provide appropriate activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. It was also recommended that written parental consent for seeking emergency treatment be obtained for all children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now has sufficient knowledge of child protection issues and the procedure to follow in the event of suspected abuse. Written consent from parents giving permission to seek emergency treatment has now been obtained. Therefore, children are safeguarded and receive appropriate care. Children now have access to a good range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, therefore, they have a better understanding of the wider world and their community.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 complaint 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 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): • improve appropriate behaviour management strategies already in place • ensure daily registration record is kept up-to-date.

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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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