Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY270729 Unique Reference Number 02 July 2007 Inspection date Jo Rowley 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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and eleven years in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house, except for one bedroom, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear 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 three children under five, on a part-time basis and one child over five before and after school, on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home. They are able to fully participate in the activities offered because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child development enabling her to adapt these to a suitable level. The children are well supported by the childminder, promoting their confidence to try out new skills and experiences and their independence is promoted as they are able to visit the toilet independently. Suitable routines are in place for children to follow in order to limit the spread of infection and ensure that children are cared for in a clean environment, for example, children are reminded to wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before they have snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are understood and they are offered nutritious snacks because the childminder has an understanding of healthy eating. Meals are generally provided by the parents although the childminder is able to provide a healthy balanced diet if required. Children's physical development is promoted through their participation in a variety of activities. They are developing control of their bodies and a wide range of skills through regular opportunities for outdoor activities such as, visiting the local parks, local toddler and soft play groups and using static equipment such as, a climbing frame and a trampoline in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is generally sound as the childminder has an awareness of risks and takes some steps to minimise these. For example, children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks with them about issues such as, road safety whilst walking to and from school, ensuring that they stay close to her at all times. However, permission is not in place to enable all children to travel in the childminder's vehicle and the emergency evacuation plan is not shared or practised with children, therefore, their safety is potentially compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to independently select activities from a range of toys and equipment which are rotated regularly to offer more choice and variety to the children. The childminder supervises this choice ensuring that they are safe and appropriate for the children's ages and stages of development. Children's welfare is generally promoted because the childminder has an understanding of child protection. However, the required documentation is not in place and so correct procedures are not followed when reporting concerns, therefore children's welfare is potentially affected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home, confidently choosing toys and activities. Children are offered a variety of activities which help to promote their development. These include playing with imaginative toys such as, dolls and push chairs, reading, jigsaws and craft activities such as, play dough. Children enjoy playing in the garden as the childminder provides a range of toys and equipment such as, wheeled toys which are suitable for the ages and stages of the children cared for. The children's self-esteem and confidence are promoted as the childminder regularly encourages and praises the children for their attempts, an example

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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 of this is when the children use play dough. The childminder consistently encourages children to try for themselves when making pretend sausages, having shown them how to make them, as children manage to make their own sausages she praises them 'Well done, that is very good and that is good cutting'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is able to use her knowledge of child development to adapt activities to suit individual children. For example, when children use jigsaws the childminder is there to support them, encouraging older children to try and find where certain pieces fit whist supporting younger children and helping them to match the correct pieces. However, she has a limited understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and future development can secure the childminder's understanding, enabling the framework to be used effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to feel valued and respected because the childminder makes sure that she is aware of their individual needs and beliefs and is therefore, able to meet these consistently. Children are always treated as individuals, welcomed by the childminder and are encouraged to respect each other and work together. Children play well together and are learning about sharing and turn-taking. They are encouraged to take responsibility for this, they are developing their understanding of each other's needs and their behaviour is sound. Children have a clear understanding of the ground rules which are consistently applied by the childminder. For example, children are gently reminded that toys are to be shared and turns must be taken.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have limited opportunities to learn about different cultures and the wider society, there are few resources to promote their knowledge of this area, and therefore, their understanding is not fully developed. Children benefit from the way in which the childminder works in partnership with parents, ensuring that they are fully informed of their children's progress and activities through regularly communicating with them. Contracts are completed in full and updated regularly and parents have been informed of the procedure to follow in the event of them having a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall children's needs are met. Resources are suitably organised and children are able to determine their own play through choice and self-selection, however, whilst the childminder demonstrates sound practice she has not developed the practice to include the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The individual needs of children are generally met as the childminder makes sure that she has most of the required information about the minded children and ensures that she clearly understands this although, not all paperwork is in place.

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Organisation

Children's emotional and physical development are both promoted through the childminder's organisation of her daily work. She ensures that there is time to offer children a range of activities and play opportunities both inside and outside the home whilst ensuring that she is able to meet her commitments in terms of collecting children at the correct time. The childminder generally organises her work to ensure that children are supervised at all times and regularly shares information with parents. However, the registration certificate is not clearly displayed for parents to view and not all documentation is kept confidential, this potentially compromises children's welfare.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to obtain additional parental consents and signatures regarding emergency treatment or advice and the administration of medication. She also agreed to review some aspects of safety in her home, with particular reference to the children's safe evacuation and their access to cupboards. The childminder has ensured that she has the correct permissions in place for each child, therefore, protecting their health. The childminder has an evacuation procedure, however, she does not practise this with children and therefore a further recommendation has been given. Children do not have access to any cupboards that contain hazardous materials, therefore their safety is generally protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • ensure that the emergency evacuation procedure is practised and that permission is in place for all children to be transported in a vehicle • ensure that knowledge is developed and child protection concerns are recorded in line with the government summary document “What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused” • improve resources to reflect equality of opportunity and children's understanding of the wider world • ensure that documentation remains confidential at all times and the certificate of registration is clearly displayed • develop knowledge to improve outcomes for younger children, with particular reference to the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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