Crofts, Donna Michelle

Inspection report for early years provision

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141509 Unique Reference Number 11 May 2007 Inspection date Ann Austen 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 2000. She lives with her husband and three children aged 13, 11 and 4 years in a Northamptonshire village. Local amenities are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, including toilet facilities. Sleep facilities are provided on the first floor 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 one child part time. The childminder walks to the local pre school to take and collect the children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local park. There were no children present at the inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of how children's good health is promoted. For example, children are helped to learn the importance of hygiene and personal care through

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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 daily routines such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. This sustains level of hygiene and helps to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder discussed how children's welfare is safeguarded. She has up-to-date first aid knowledge and procedures are in place in the event of accidents, for the administration of medication and if children are unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands the importance of ensuring that children's dietary requirements are met through close cooperation with the parents. For example, she discussed how children enjoy toast, pita bread, yoghurt, fresh and dried fruit. This promotes children's healthy growth and development. The childminder discussed how she offers regular drinks throughout the session to ensure that children remain comfortable and well hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder recognises the importance of children taking part in regular physical play in the fresh air. For example, she discussed how children use apparatus in the park, dance and move to music, manoeuvre wheeled toys, bounce on the trampoline and play games such as football and badminton in the garden. This improves children's co-ordination and fitness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that children are cared for in a welcoming home where most risks are identified and minimised. She uses appropriate safety measures to avoid dangerous situations. For example, the premises, including the outside play area are secure and dangerous substances and sharp knives are inaccessible to children in the kitchen. This enables children to move around safely and independently. However, the glass in the summer house and shed is not safe and the childminder has not practised the emergency escape plan. This compromises children's safety. The childminder explained how she helps children to learn about their own safety. For example, the childminder discussed how she encourages children to learn to behave sensibly around the house and on outings, and to cross the road safely. The childminder explained how she keeps children safe in the sun by keeping children in the shade and by applying sun cream

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in consultation with the parents. Children's welfare is generally safeguarded by the childminder's knowledge of local child protection procedures and her understanding of her responsibilities for the children in her care. For example, the childminder is able to recognise possible signs of abuse and neglect. However, the childminder is not familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board Procedures and does not have the Government booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides a range of safe resources, furniture and equipment which supports children's play and development. She checks the resources and equipment regularly to ensure that they are safe and suitable for the children's individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder discussed how she helps children learn and develop through play. She describes how she involves herself in the children's play, listening to and talking to the children about what they are doing. The childminder discussed how children independently choose from accessible resources in the dining room. She discussed how she promotes children's creative development. For example, she provides opportunities for children to manipulate dough, draw, paint, cut and stick. The childminder described how children use their imaginations as they handle small world resources and build with construction resources such as 'knex' and the

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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 building blocks. She discussed how children enjoy dressing in a variety of costumes and how they take the dolls for a walk in the buggies. The childminder discussed how she promotes children's mathematical development by encouraging the children to count and develop simple calculation skills. She discussed how children post shapes into shape sorters and learn the names of the shapes. The childminder recognising the importance of promoting children's language development. She explained how she introduces new vocabulary, repeats familiar words and reads stories to the children. The childminder discussed the importance of outings to broadens children's range of experiences. For example, she attends local toddler groups, visits the park and explained how children enjoy walks around the community where they visit the post office

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Discussion with the childminder suggests that children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder discussed how she aims to ensure that children are treated with equal concern and have equal access to an appropriate range of activities and to the facilities available. She describes how the daily routine is flexibly responsive to children's individual needs. For example, sleep and feeding routines are respected. The childminder recognises the importance of helping children begin to develop a positive view of society and the wider world. She discussed how children have access to resources which promote positive images of culture, gender and disability, and how they meet different children and adults when they attend toddler groups and as they walk around the local community. The childminder discussed how she manages children's behaviour in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. She

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Helping children make a positive contribution

recognises the importance of encouraging the children to behave well and how she uses praise and encouragement to promote their confidence and self esteem. Although there are no children currently attending the setting with learning difficulties and/or disabilities the childminder is able to provide care through discussing their needs with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder understands the importance of developing an effective partnership with parents to ensure that children are looked after in accordance with their parents wishes. A portfolio, including a range of polices and procedures has been developed, and the childminder discussed how systems are in place to exchange information. This ensures continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates an organised approach to her childminding role. She recognises the importance of making children feel at home and comfortable in her care, and discussed how space, routines and resources are organised to met the children's needs. This allows children to move freely and develop their play and ideas in a safe environment. The childminder ensures that children's care and welfare is safeguarded by appropriate documentation. Records are stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. Overall evidence suggests that 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 asked to improve one aspect of her practice. The childminder now maintains a daily record of attendance. This ensures that children's care and welfare is safeguarded by appropriate documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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 by 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): • ensure that glass in the summer house and shed is made safe, and practise the emergency escape plan • develop an awareness of the Local Safe Guarding Children's Board Procedures and the Government booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary'.

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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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