Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342181 Unique Reference Number 14 May 2007 Inspection date Kim Wailling 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 husband and four adult children and two children aged 14 and nine years in Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part-time and full-time basis. The childminder walks to local nurseries and schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local pre-school groups. The family has a dog, hamster and two African land snails.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s good health is well promoted as the childminder has in place effective ways of working. These ensure that children's individual health needs are met. Parents, for example, are asked to complete individual profile sheets about their children recording health concerns

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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 and possible food allergies. Children are helped to develop personal independence skills. They have use of a downstairs cloakroom and are encouraged to follow good routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. The childminder follows a good nappy changing routine. Discussions with parents about when it is appropriate to exclude children who are ill or infectious take place before minding starts. This is underpinned by a well-written sickness policy. Consequently, children's health from cross-infection is effectively protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health if they have an accident is appropriately safeguarded. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Documentation is kept to record accidents and is shared with parents. There is a first aid kit to deal with any minor injuries to children however, the contents have not been determined by first aid trainers which, potentially, limits its effectiveness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to develop good appetites and are well nourished. Children are sensitively introduced to a range of foods and new tastes. For example, by being offered freshly prepared fruit smoothes and by being involved in cookery activities. Dietary needs of children under two, in particular, are very well met. The childminder keeps a detailed daily diary which informs parents about the amounts of milk and weaning foods taken as well as the children's food preferences. Mealtimes are relaxed and unhurried.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered many opportunities to develop their physical skills. They take daily walks in the nearby the park and enjoy the freedom of being able to play in open spaces. In addition, the childminder has range of outdoor toys for children to use. In addition, younger children are taken to a weekly toddler group which has climbing equipment and wheeled toys. Children can rest and sleep according to their needs. The daily routine is well-organised to fit in with children's individual sleep patterns. Infants are offered a quiet bedroom equipped with a travel cot and individual bedding so that they can sleep undisturbed. As a result, children's needs for exercise and rest on an everyday level are effectively met.

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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 that fully promotes their development. Safety precautions in the childminder's home are in place and risks are minimised. For example, cleaning products are inaccessible to children. Younger children can move around freely as furniture has been arranged to create uncluttered spaces. They use equipment, such as a high chair, which is of a suitable design and comfortable. Children are able to independently select activities from a range of toys situated at a safe, low level. All play resources are clean and appropriate for the ages of the children attending. Children have access to a well-maintained rear garden. There is a range of outdoor toys which are frequently checked to ensure that they are safe for children to use. Several features, such as well thought through emergency evacuation procedure, practising fire drills, identifying and using 'safe routes' when collecting children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

from pre-school and school, further enhances children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is effectively protected because the childminder has in place appropriate documentation, for example, up-to-date attendance registers. When on outings, the childminder carries with her emergency contact numbers and ensures that children are kept in sight at all times, particularly when attending toddler groups. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she had any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy because the childminder treats them as part of her family and provides a relaxed environment in which they can feel at home. Consequently, they confidently access favourite toys and play contently. Children respond with delight to the childminder's natural manner. She is attentive and positively interacts with the children at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is supported in many appropriate ways. For example, older children are offered a wide range of planned activities, such as painting and gardening. They also enjoy the company and friendship of the childminder's school-aged children. Younger children are skilfully helped by the childminder to express their thoughts and needs. For example, the childminder readily responds to the babble of babies by engaging them in conversation, showing them toys not within their reach or helping them to stand. The childminder is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is starting to use ideas from this in her practice. For example, children are positively shown how to do things such as holding and sharing a book. Children clearly enjoy this valuable interaction and from this develop their skills and understanding. Children have ample opportunity to socialise with other children. For example, younger children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are taken to a weekly local toddler group. As a result, children's learning is supported in an enjoyable way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happily settled. They form positive relationships with the childminder and members of her family. Children play happily together as social skills, such as sharing, are encouraged. Children are given clear boundaries that helps them gain a sense of right and wrong. The childminder is very calm, patient and takes time to sensitively explain 'house rules'. Children have a sense of belonging as the childminder knows their likes and ensures that favourite toys and books are always available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relevant information for parents and carers is made available before childminding starts. The childminder has a complaints policy for parents to follow should it be necessary. However, the current policy is not fully in line with National Standard guidelines. Subsequently, parents and carers are not sufficiently informed to enable all to work together to support the children's well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are helped to gain an understanding of the wider community as the childminder has a good range of artefacts, such as a role play resources, which promotes this. In addition, children are taken on walks which increase their knowledge about the local community and their immediate environment. Arrangements to settle children into the childminder's care are negotiated taking into account the needs of children and the requirements of parents for flexible childcare. Consequently, children are supported in the transition between home and the childminder so that they become confident and make good progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the good organisation of the childminder. She keeps a well-organised portfolio, which contains certificates, references and policy statements, filed under National Standards so that information can be easily accessed. Information about the

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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 services that the childminder offers is made available to parents and carers. The childminder is aware of

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Organisation

confidentiality issues and keeps documentation secure.

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Organisation

Children's enjoyment is promoted as the childminder organises her daily routine very well. This means that children are given time for unhurried play, rest, walks, relaxed meals and are taken and collected from pre-school and school on time. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the childminder's home. Consequently, they enjoy their time in the childminder's care. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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): • establish a first aid kit, the contents of which are determined in the first aid training course • update the complaints policy in line with regulation and share with parents and carers.

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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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