Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343233 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2007 Inspection date Jacqueline Mason 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her two children aged four and 10 years in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding 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. She currently cares for three children, two attend part-time and one attends on a full-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group and supports children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Satisfactory procedures are in place to promote health and hygiene. Children are learning about the importance of washing their hands after toileting and before meals. However, they are not

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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 always reminded to wash their hands before snack and this has the potential to compromise their health, especially when they have been playing in the garden and are dirty. Despite this children are learning about good health practices, such as brushing their teeth and disposing of used tissues in the bin. Procedures for nappy changing are mostly effective to promote health and prevent the spread of infection. Effective procedures for sick children helps to ensure that the best interests of all children are met if they are unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted effectively. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating and offers a varied and balanced diet that encourages children to make healthy choices about what they eat. Fresh fruit and vegetables are offered daily and children's special dietary needs can be met in discussion with parents and carers. Drinks are kept readily available and younger children are encouraged to drink regularly to prevent them from becoming thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Very good arrangements are in place to promote active physical play and encourage children in their physical development. The childminder encourages children to play outdoors and provides a good range of toys that include a climbing frame, slide, bats and balls and a trampoline that is enclosed in safety netting. The childminder has obtained written parental permission for children to play on the trampoline and supervises it at all times that it is in use to ensure that children keep safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are protected because the childminder is confident to put necessary procedures into practise if she is concerned that a child is being abused or is at risk of abuse. She is aware of some signs and symptoms of abuse and has a written child protection policy that follows the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. Children are further protected because there are good procedures in place for the collection of children which includes a password system to ensure that persons arriving to collect children are authorised by parents and carers to do so.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming environment. Space is organised well to allow for a variety of play and routine experiences and children are confident to move between the rooms used for childminding. Toys are stored to enable children to develop independence in the selection, carrying out and putting away of activities. Storage boxes are labelled with a picture of the contents as well as the word so that children know the contents of them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures for home safety are good to enable children to play safely both indoors and outside. For example, a fire guard is used to protect children from the fire and safety gates are used on the stairs to prevent access. Visual checks are carried out each day to ensure the safety of the areas of the premises that are used by children. Emergency evacuation procedures are effective to ensure that children are protected in the event of needing to evacuate the premises in an emergency. Children know what to do to keep themselves safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. A consistent routine is followed that helps children to be secure and settled. Children are involved in an interesting range of activities that promote all areas of development. Activities are stimulating and encourage children to want to take part. Toys are stored to enable children to have free access to them and this helps to develop their confidence and independence in

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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 making decisions about their play and learning. The childminder has knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is beginning to implement it into her childminding day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children in her care well. She spends her time working directly with the children, joining in their play and promoting their learning and development. For example, during play on the trampoline children enjoy bouncing and ball games and the childminder encourages children to attempt to catch and throw the ball. Their efforts are praised and this promotes their self-esteem. Younger children are developing a good vocabulary based on their own knowledge and also the input from the childminder. She encourages them in conversation and develops their knowledge of the natural world. The childminder takes advantage of opportunities to extend children's learning, such as when a bee landed in the garden the childminder looked at it with the children and talked about its colours. Children are developing a good sense of belonging. They enthusiastically help out with 'jobs' and relish the praise that

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning about the world around them and the diversity of it because the childminder has a sound understanding of equal opportunities issues. She promotes positive images effectively through toys and resources such as dolls, creative activities and dressing-up clothes. There are effective arrangements to meet the individual needs of children and follows established care routines for eating and sleeping to promote continuity of care. Good systems are in place to meet the needs of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and the childminder works with parents to ensure that all needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective arrangements to manage children's behaviour helps them to learn right from wrong and play harmoniously together. Strategies to manage unwanted behaviour are appropriate to the age and level of understanding of the children. Children are encouraged to share and take turns, and, because of this, they learn to respect the needs of others. Good behaviour is promoted well to develop children's self-esteem. The childminder uses verbal praise and star-charts to encourage good behaviour. In addition, certificates have been produced that will be presented to children in recognition of their good behaviour and individual efforts.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has friendly and trusting relationships with parents and carers. Information is shared on a daily basis to keep parents and carers informed about their children's day. In addition, they are encouraged to share what they know about their child in order that the childminder can promote continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All documentation, necessary for the safe and efficient running of the setting is in place. A comprehensive range of written policies are in place. These are organised into an information pack for parents and carers, and along with written information about the childminder and her family, help parents and carers to make informed choices about their children's care. Daily registers are accurately maintained to show children's hours of attendance. All necessary information relating to children is maintained and is stored securely to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

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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 The childminder is suitably qualified and experienced to enable her to childmind. She is enthusiastic about her professional development and regularly attends training to improve her childcare skills and knowledge. She has strong relationships with the children and offers them good support to help them to be settled and confident. There are very good arrangements to protect children from persons not vetted. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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): • improve further the arrangements to promote good health and hygiene • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues with regard to the signs and symptoms of abuse.

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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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