Cooper Sarah Helen

Inspection report for early years provision

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260848 Unique Reference Number 30 May 2007 Inspection date Sheena Gibson 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two sons aged 18 and four-years-old in Derby; the childminder works with an assistant. Local amenities are close by with shops, schools and parks within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor, the first floor bathroom and one bedroom are used for minding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. Currently there are 10 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder has a BTEC diploma in Social Care, is a member of the National Childminding Association and a local childminding network. The childminder receives support form the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and warm family home, where suitable hygiene arrangements help to maintain their health. Procedures are in place that contribute to the maintenance of children's good health and minimise the risk of cross-infection. For example, the childminder

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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 uses anti-bacterial wipes for cleaning tables; children use appropriate liquid soap and paper towels. Children gain a good understanding about positive hygiene practice through being encouraged to always wash their hands before meals and after going to the toilet. The childminder talks to them about hygiene and why it is important to wash their hands 'to prevent the spread of germs'. Children are appropriately cared for if they have an accident. The childminder has undertaken appropriate first aid training, which ensures children are given suitable treatment if they have a minor injury. A written record of accidents, which is shared with parents, means that children receive any necessary continuing care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical well-being is effectively supported. For example, they play outside in the garden on the climbing frame, trampoline, on push toys and bikes. They play football in the garden as well as at the park. They use tools competently and benefit from both left and right handed tools being available. They also go to soft play centres where they jump and bounce, all of which effectively supports their developing physical skills. Children are well fed whilst with the childminder. The childminder has sought information about nutrition to understand how to best support children's health. They enjoy mostly home-made meals such as roast dinners and snacks of fruit. Children help the childminder to prepare their snack, which encourages them to learn about healthy choices.

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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 welcoming and comfortable family home. Their craft pictures and photos are displayed at a height where they can recognise themselves, helping them to feel acknowledged and part of the family. The space provided for daily activities offers an adequate and easily supervised area for children to play, rest and eat comfortably. As a result, they confidently move around, initiating their own play and ideas. Security is effective and the childminder has a good understanding of ensuring that children are safe from unvetted people. Children enjoy a wide range of toys and activities that are suitable for the various ages of children and offer sufficient stimulation. They can safely access these from low-level shelves, boxes or from floor level, effectively promoting their choice making and confidence. Toys are checked on a regular basis to ensure that they continue to be suitable for children to use;

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

written permission has not been sought for children to use the trampoline. Children are safe from most potential hazards because the childminder periodically carries out written risk assessment and checks the environment on a daily basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Some practical steps have been taken that support children's safety. For example, strategically placed safety gates are available to assist in promoting children's safety, preventing free access to the staircase. Children learn to keep themselves safe through the childminder effectively reinforcing safe practices. For example, she gently reminds a child to sit nicely on the chair and children who ride bikes know to wear a helmet. They begin to understand about road safety when walking to the park and know how to evacuate the childminder's premises in the event of a fire, because this has been practised with them. As a result, children's safety is effectively promoted. The childminder has developed and emergency plan, although permission has not been sought for children to be left with a named person in an emergency, which potentially impacts upon their care. Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's secure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if there is a concern.

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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 happy and very confident. They are enthusiastic about being at the childminders home and keenly choose from the activities available. A warm relationship is evident between the childminder and children. Children have opportunities to enjoy a wide range of activities and play materials that support their development. For example, they enjoy building Power Ranger models from magnetic construction; they enjoy role play when they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream cones. The childminder loosely plans activities to ensure that children receive any further support that they need to help them to successfully progress. Spontaneous activities are also a favourite, such as playing in the snow. The childminder effectively uses 'Birth to three matters' to identify children's progress and then uses this to help them to reach their next steps. Babies are alert and curious. They are encouraged to progress and develop

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their early mobility. They stretch and kick when lying under the activity arch. They are cuddled when fed, supporting their emotional confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain new skills and learning through a broad range of activities and games. For example, they enjoy playing on the computer; practising their skills, some children instruct others saying 'click on the X', demonstrating a good understanding of how to use technology. Children are very chatty, their language skills well supported by the childminder who asks some open questions about familiar things such as birthdays and what day of the week it is. They enjoy talking to each other when playing on the computer and use very expressive language such as 'yes, good one'! Children are encouraged to make marks and have a go at writing their name on their craft work. They enjoy games of Lotto and Snakes and Ladders, unaware that they are capably using mathematical skills. Children are able to share well. They have good social skills and are very polite, always remembering to say please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and have a mutually respectful relationship with the childminder. Detailed child record forms mean that the childminder is aware of children's needs and so can ensure that these are effectively met. Children are consulted about what they want to do and their opinions and feelings are given due consideration. For example, children are not hurried with an activity and if they decide they want to do something else, or take a break from what they are doing they are free to do so. They are beginning to develop an understanding of how everyone positively contributes in society. Some resources that promote and represent the wider community are available for them to use. For example, books, puzzles and games depict positive images of different people. The childminder has a suitable understanding of caring for children with special needs or a learning difficulty. She works closely with parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to identify and assess any particular support that children may need, to ensure that they continue to progress successfully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in a positive environment that is supportive and as a result this promotes positive behaviour. The childminder has developed a behaviour management policy that is shared with parents providing consistency for children, benefiting their general well-being. Children are happy and generally well behaved. They appreciate the praise given and sometimes the rewards, building on their confidence and self-esteem. Children benefit from the good partnership with their parents and carers. Parents are kept well informed of what the children have been doing, both on a daily basis and through children's assessments being given to

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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 parents to read. Parents are informed about the childminder's practice through being given copies of the policies and procedures, which promotes consistency of care for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who is very motivated and committed to caring for children. She has completed a wide range of short courses to supplement her knowledge and understanding, which positively supports children's care. A welcoming environment is created that enables children to feel secure and relaxed. The home environment is organised to effectively meet children's needs with regard to play, rest and eating. Toys are well-organised to offer children the independence to make choices from a broad variety.

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Organisation

A good system for recording children's attendance means that the childminder is always within accepted numbers and this enables children to receive good attention. Detailed and well written information is shared with parents to ensure consistency of care and all regulatory records, policies and procedures are in place, well-organised and available for inspection. 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 childminder was given a recommendation around maintaining records of information about children's individual needs and/or preferences. This has been effectively addressed as the childminder obtains detailed information from parents.

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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. 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): • obtain written permission from parents for children to be left with named persons in an emergency and for children to use the trampoline.

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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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