Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY100634 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2007 Inspection date Melanie Cullen 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11, nine and six in Ringstead, Northamptonshire. The whole ground floor and one bedroom upstairs are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a full and part-time basis. The childminder has a dog and fish as pets and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's continued good health is promoted because the childminder gives high regard to providing a healthy environment through effective practices such as using anti-bacterial spray to clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces, cleaning the floors every day and washing toys regularly. Children are protected from the risk of cross-infection because the childminder employs effective practices when changing nappies. For example, she cleans the changing mat between each child, disposes of nappies promptly and washes her hands thoroughly between each child.

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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 Sound procedures are in place for recording accidents or administered medication and parents sign the entry on the same day as the occurrence. The childminder does not have a current first aid certificate. However, she is currently waiting for a place on a suitable course in the near future. Children enjoy daily opportunities to play outside in the fresh air. For example, they play in the garden, go for walks to the local park and to feed the ducks. Children's physical skills are promoted through these activities and regular outings to organised groups which provide activities such as climbing, balancing and parachute games.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of healthy meals and snacks that are freshly prepared by the childminder. The snacks and meals include fruits and vegetables and all children sit together to eat at the table which promotes social skills and manners. Children do not become thirsty because they have drinks available at all times. They begin to learn about personal hygiene because they wipe their hands before and after eating. Older children are encouraged to be independent in the bathroom and begin to learn about germs through discussion with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given high regard by the childminder who maintains a safe environment at all times. For example, exit doors are kept locked with the keys accessible, internal doors have devices in place to prevent fingers becoming trapped and children have supervised access to the kitchen and stairs because there are safety gates in place. Children stay safe when out walking because the childminder uses reins with younger children or they sit in the buggy. Older children begin to learn about safe practices because they walk on the inside of the pavement and stay close together. They begin to learn about road safety through discussion with the childminder. An emergency evacuation plan is in place and the childminder is clear about how she would get children out of the house safely in case of an emergency. Children have access to a good range of play materials and activities which are safe, suitable and cover

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

all areas of development. They are stored in low-level boxes and drawers which encourages children to help themselves and be able to assist with tidying away when they have finished playing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of child protection concerns arising. She is aware of the importance of recording and reporting concerns and to maintain confidentiality when managing such issues. The childminder has all the required documentation and contact details in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy attending this welcoming setting. The childminder ensures that they are provided with an interesting range of activities when they arrive which means they settle quickly to play. Children can choose freely from the toys and books and enjoy rummaging in boxes to find what they want. Younger children show the childminder toys and try to name the animals they find in boxes. Children's confidence and self-esteem is promoted because the childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. Her facial expressions towards children are very positive and they respond to her smiles. Less confident children are given claps and cheers when they try or succeed in their chosen task and they smile back at the childminder. Children enjoy an activity where they build a tower of bricks, they clap when bricks stay on the tower and laugh when the tower falls down. The childminder continues this activity

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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 by providing them with larger stacking cups and encourages them to take turns and work together to build the tower. However, the children begin exploring the cups by putting them inside each other and banging them together which the childminder encourages through smiles and positive comments to show that she is happy for them to lead the play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are free to select their own play materials from a suitable selection and the childminder is fully aware of the need to offer different activities at regular intervals to keep them engaged and busy. Children also enjoy taking part in art and craft activities. They paint, cut and stick, bake and explore play dough and clay which develops their curiosity and sensory experiences. Children benefit from the childminder's organisation which allows them regular one to one time with her to offer mark making and number recognition activities to older children and puzzles or imaginative play to younger children. The childminder has an awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and loosely uses this in preparation of activities for children under three. Children's development, enjoyment and self-confidence is promoted through the interesting and appropriately challenging range of activities, the positive interaction from the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder and her clear knowledge and understanding of each child's levels of understanding and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and with respect. The childminder knows all the children very well and is able to anticipate their individual needs most effectively. Children make choices about their play and activities, are fully involved in the childminder's home and have access to a range of play materials that show positive images of diversity through books, characters, dolls and threading cards. Children begin to learn about the wider world through the celebration of festivals such as Chinese New Year, Easter and Christmas. They discuss the origins of different foods during meal times, such as pasta, noodles and pitta bread. All children are welcomed into the setting following careful discussion with their parents regarding any specific needs to ensure the setting is suitable for the child. This ensures that all children's individual requirements are met effectively by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They understand the daily routine which helps them feel secure and they respond to the childminder's gentle reminders to be careful and to think of others. Children have plenty of suitable and stimulating activities available that keep them busy and engaged which minimises behaviour issues. They benefit from the childminder's calm, consistent approach and her appropriate use of distraction and explanation about why certain behaviour is unacceptable. Children benefit from the effective working relationships that are in place between their parents and the childminder. Parents receive verbal and written information each day about how their child has been and the activities they have enjoyed. The childminder has contracts in place for each family and a suitable system is in place to record any complaints, that may arise from parents, relating to the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in this welcoming environment where their individual needs are met and their development and enjoyment is given high regard. The childminder organises her childminding arrangements to ensure that everyone is valued and treated fairly. The space available allows a variety of activities to take place at the same time and children are provided

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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 with a wide range of fun activities that are stimulating and encourage their development and confidence. Children are relaxed and initiate their own play and exploration alone and when working with their peers. They seek support and reassurance from the childminder when needed.

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Organisation

Records and information are shared with parents on a daily basis which contributes to a trusting relationship that impacts positively on the children. All the required documentation is in place and kept up to date. The written policies and procedures devised by the childminder are clearly reflected in her day to day activity with children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to continue to develop a knowledge of child protection issues and to become familiar with the local procedures. The childminder has devised a policy relating to safeguarding children and has acquired the Department of Health Summary booklet and the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Board Guidelines document. She also agreed to ensure that children have access to an appropriate range of resources and activities that promote equality and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has greatly increased her provision of resources that show positive images of diversity all of which are available to the children. The childminder was also asked to provide more opportunities for parents to receive information about her policies and procedures. The childminder has recently implemented a system to record any complaints that may arise from parents and displays all

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Improvements since the last inspection

the policies and procedures in a folder which is available to parents at any time. The action taken by the childminder enhances her awareness of safeguarding children procedures, the children's enjoyment of play materials and activities and promotes the good relationship between the children's parents and the childminder, which has a positive impact on children.

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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 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): • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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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