Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY102420 Unique Reference Number 02 July 2007 Inspection date Dianne Lynn Sadler Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and four years in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The whole of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a rabbit and two guinea pigs.

p.2

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 four children aged from birth to six years. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy and are cared for very well in a clean, welcoming environment, where children are learning the importance of simple good health and hygiene practices through daily routines. For instance, they understand the need to wash hands after toileting to remove germs. The risk of cross- infection is further reduced by children using their own individual flannels

p.2

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 kept in the kitchen. Children are cared for sufficiently well when they have an accident or become ill. The childminder has attended appropriate first aid training but does not have prior written consent from parents to administer medication. This may compromise children's welfare.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They enjoy a good range of meals, snacks and drinks that are healthy and which actively promote their growth and development. Meals are recorded on a wipe board in the kitchen which shows children enjoy fresh fruit, vegetables and meals such as pasta daily. Children are offered drinks at regular intervals and are able to ask for a drink throughout the day, provided in their own individual beakers. The childminder has a good awareness of special dietary requirements and parents' wishes, which are recorded appropriately. This ensures children's individual dietary needs are met well. For example, the childminder is working closely with the parent of a weaning baby.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a balanced range of physical activities both indoors and outdoors. For instance, they participate in 'games' days and a planned treasure hunt. In the garden they enjoy playing with push-along toys, bikes and go-karts. They further develop their physical skills by climbing through a tunnel and jumping in the ball pool. Children are learning how to lead a healthy lifestyle. For instance, they walk to and from school each day and pick fruits from the garden such as rhubarb, gooseberries and raspberries. They then eat them for their tea. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. They can select quieter activities such as watching the television in the lounge and younger children have access to a travel cot.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. They benefit from using all the rooms downstairs for play and move around freely, safely and independently. This helps them to settle and feel confident. The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised because the childminder takes positive steps to prevent accidents. For instance, all hazards have been identified and made safe and children are very well supervised. There is a well written risk assessment carried out on the premises on a regular basis. Children are learning to keep themselves safe. For instance, they practise the emergency evacuation plan on a regular basis and they also discuss and practise good road safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of good quality furniture and play equipment suitable to meet their different needs. They are able to access these freely and safely, which fosters their independence and choice. Toys are stored in boxes and in low-level cupboards, many at the children's level. The childminder uses effective methods to ensure that toys and resources are well maintained and rotates the toys that are available on a daily basis. This ensures children have variety and use toys appropriate to their age and needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm and their welfare promoted effectively because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle and play well in the setting because the childminder is able to give them good support and shares her time equally between them. They benefit from a stimulating and interesting environment in which they are happy, content and secure. Children are developing

p.3

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 confidence and very good self-esteem because the childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement and values their efforts. For instance, their portraits of their own faces are displayed in the dining room, which also helps to give them a sense of belonging. Children are developing positive relationships and interact well with both each other and with adults. They are beginning to understand the needs of others as they share and take turns.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder's home. They are well motivated and interested in activities and experiences that are purposeful and developmentally appropriate. Some activities are planned and organised, whilst others are initiated by children themselves. Older children enjoy dressing and undressing dolls of different cultures and place them in a little wheelchair. They also enjoy constructing the train track and playing with 'Bob the builder' resources. This helps to develop their imagination and encourages them to make their own decisions. All children are learning to be good communicators and competent learners. They explore their environment, select play resources for themselves and enjoy activities which uses all of their senses. For instance, children enjoy exploring 'feely' books and pick fruit from the garden. They make 'rainy day' pictures and benefit from investigating paint when making

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are well supported by the childminder who listens to what children say and responds appropriately. Their language and communication skills are promoted effectively by the childminder through constant conversation, questions and individual attention. Children enjoy sitting with the childminder reading the 'Are you lost Snow Bear?' story. They discuss igloos and Eskimos found in cold countries.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected as individuals and treated with equal concern. The childminder has a proactive approach to including children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and takes care to ensure the environment and activities offered meet the needs of all children present. The childminder has a good knowledge of equality issues. Children are becoming aware of the wider society through a very good selection of play resources which reflect positive images and well planned activities. For instance, small world toys include dolls of different cultures and children enjoy investigating a doll-sized wheelchair and crutches. Children are also becoming aware of different religious festivals and celebrations, such as Chinese New Year. They enjoy celebrating this event by making dragon cards.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to behave appropriately. There are clear expectations and children feel secure knowing what they can and cannot do. The childminder uses good methods to manage children's behaviour which are age appropriate. With support from the childminder children are learning to share resources and take turns. All children are developing good self-esteem. This is because the childminder values the children's work which is displayed and rewards them with consistent verbal praise and encouragement. For instance when children help tidy up she praises by saying 'good boy'.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for and supported well by the childminder. She promotes positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with them to meet the individual needs of all children appropriately. Parents are made welcome in the setting. Information is shared daily to ensure that they are aware of the provision and the activities that their child participate in. For example, parents receive an informative prospectus and have access to a parents file which details training, references and policies. Parents also benefit from being given a list of activities for each month.

p.4

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 However the complaints procedure is not in line with new regulations and there is no system in place to record complaints made. This potentially compromises children's welfare.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are met effectively through the good use of space and resources. For instance, children benefit from playing in a stimulating and interesting environment where resources are displayed and easily accessible. Their care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. The childminder has experience of caring for children and is eager to improve her knowledge and understanding by undertaking training. This ensures children are cared for by an appropriate adult. She has a high regard for the well-being of children and arrangements effectively promote their health, safety and enjoyment. Her supportive manner ensures children feel at home and at ease. They are confident and able to initiate their own play.

p.5

Organisation

Most policies, procedures and records are effective in practice. This helps to promote the welfare, care and learning of all children, according to the wishes of their parents. All documentation is shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. All documents are reviewed regularly and stored securely.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to complete an appropriate registration course and improve fire safety precautions by revising and practising the emergency escape plan. Good progress has been made. The childminder has completed and approved course and the emergency evacuation plan is well written and practised by children on a regular basis. This ensures children are learning to keep themselves safe and are cared for by an appropriate adult.

p.5

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 standards.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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):

p.5

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 • ensure prior written permission is obtained from parents to administer any medicine • improve knowledge and develop a system for the recording of complaints, in line with regulations.

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6