Teresa Ann Newitt

Inspection report for early years provision

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225975 Unique Reference Number 19 November 2007 Inspection date Alexandra Brouder 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and four years in Leicestershire. The whole of the premises, with the exception of one ground floor room and one upstairs bedroom, are used for childminding and 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 a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding six children between the ages of 13 months and 11 years old. The childminder lives near local schools and shops.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well maintained because they are cared for in a warm, clean environment where routine hygiene practices prevent infection. For example, children wash their hands after

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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 toileting and before meals. They use liquid soap and paper towels to minimise the risk of cross infection. Older children remind younger children to do this when they have used the toilet, promoting independence and good practice. A range of documentation to support children’s health needs is maintained, for example a health and hygiene policy informs parents that children must not attend when they are ill. The childminder has sought emergency medical consent from all parents and a first aid course has been completed to ensure that the childminder can take appropriate action should an incident occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children practise their physical abilities in a range of ways. They access the garden and use local amenities such as parks and play areas, in which they are able to use a range of large equipment such as swings and slides. Children who are not yet fully mobile are provided with challenges and opportunities to develop their skills. For example, as they pull themselves to standing to reach resources that have been placed on surfaces such as the sofa and also make use of walk-a-long toys. All children use their small muscle skills as they handle beakers, use a range of craft skills and manipulate puzzle pieces.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to think about the food they eat and the impact this has on their health through general discussion and through the snacks that are offered to them by the childminder, for example fresh fruit. All children bring a packed lunch with them, the contents of which are discussed with parents to ensure healthy eating is promoted. All records on children’s dietary needs are in place to ensure that their health is actively promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and well cared for in the child-centred environment. Their needs are well catered for as the childminder plans well for them and provides a range of interesting activities to enable them to develop their abilities from the resources that are accessible to them. Children’s decision-making skills and independence increase as they freely explore the environment. For example, a child present was able to play with the ball pool, books and musical toys as these are organised effectively by the childminder, enabling children to do this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children remain safe at the setting as the childminder has reduced hazards, such as covering low-level sockets and providing smoke alarms at each level of the house. In addition to this, children learn to maintain their own safety though discussion with the childminder regarding safety when out and about and also through practising the fire evacuation drill. However, children’s safety may be compromised as they are able to access the low-level lock within the bathroom. A range of documents, including a lost child policy, help to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is supported well as the childminder has completed training in child protection enabling her to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse to children. A policy is in place and shared with parents, ensuring that appropriate action can be taken should the childminder have concerns for a child’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and have developed good relationships with the childminder. A welcoming and child centred environment enables the children to play with all available resources to promote all areas of learning and age groups that attend. For example, a young child was observed to play contently in a ball pool, with the musical toys and looking at books,

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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 freely and easily throughout the morning and receiving support from the childminder as they played. The childminder has a good awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and ensures that children have a good balance between play and quiet times to promote their learning. This allows them to enjoy a varied range of activities which includes arts and craft, small world play, ball pool play and quieter activities such as reading and floor play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Effective plans and records are in place for children under-three to enable the childminder to plan well for their needs, ensuring that they make appropriate progress and are offered challenges linked to their individual needs. Older children discuss the activities that they wish to do and the childminder ensures that resources are used to support their ideas, enabling children to become independent as they play. Activities are adapted to enable children of all ages to participate and develop their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s experiences are extended as the childminder makes use of the local environment through visiting parks and toddler groups, enabling children to learn about the locality they are in and to socialise with others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s needs are well met at the setting as the childminder talks to parents before children begin in her care and keeps a range of written information on their needs to ensure that she can offer the child a ‘home from home’ service. For example, their sleep patterns, likes and dislikes as well as information on their health and dietary needs. However, consent has not been obtained from parents for the application of nappy rash cream, which may impact on the child's well-being. The childminder provides parents of children under-three with an insight into their day through the use of a daily diary that they can also comment in should they wish. All parents receive verbal feedback on their child’s day to ensure that they are kept informed of their child’s progress. A range of documentation supports what the childminder offers children at the setting, which is shared with parents enabling them to gain an insight into what she

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain an awareness of other cultures, lifestyles and disabilities as they use a range of resources. For example, as they play with dolls that resemble a range of ethnicities and look at books that reflect non-stereotypical roles and a range of disabilities. An inclusive environment is offered to children in which they are all encouraged to access the range of toys and resources which are adapted as needed to support all ages and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is good. They play well in the calm environment which is promoted by the childminder through the use of positive praise and encouragement. Children are encouraged to share and take turns as they play and older children are informed of the house rules before they begin with her. For example, playing nicely with the toys and resources, enabling children to manage their own behaviour and be aware of the boundaries before they begin. A happy atmosphere is created through the positive approach the childminder has when dealing with behaviour, for example through changing the direction of play or offering distraction to younger children.

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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. Children’s care and welfare are promoted well as the childminder has a good range of policies and procedures in place to support the needs of children in her care and to enable parents to feel secure in the knowledge that their children will be well cared for. However, not all consents are in place as required which may impact on children’s welfare.

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Organisation

Children’s learning is enhanced as the childminder takes time to view changes in legislation and practice and attend a variety of training courses, adapting her practice and the environment to reflect this. For example, through using the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework when planning for younger children. Children receive good levels of adult support due to their attendance patterns which helps them gain confidence as they access the well-organised environment.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. Children's needs are met well as the childminder has developed a policy which all parents receive a copy of and which contains information regarding the procedures to follow should they have a complaint, protecting children's welfare.

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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.

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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): • ensure that the lock in the bathroom is made safe or inaccessible to children • ensure that written consent is in place for all children regarding the administration of creams, such as nappy rash cream.

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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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