Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345332 Unique Reference Number 08 June 2007 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal 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 2007. She lives with her partner and 10-month-old baby in a village near Royston, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder’s house, except for the main bedroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children. The childminder uses her car to take and collect children from school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are beginning to learn the importance of simple good hygiene and personal care. For example, children understand they must wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet. They also brush their teeth after eating their lunch and clean their face using individual flannels which develop their understanding of personal care and reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Children enjoy various activities, which contribute to develop their physical skills. For example, children play games in the garden

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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 such as having different types of races and using a range of play equipment. They also go to dance classes which improve children’s physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished as they have home cooked, healthy well-balanced meals at the childminder's home. They have regular drinks throughout the day. They are developing their confidence as they help the childminder to lay out the table for their lunch. They enjoy fresh fruit at snack times and a varied menu for lunch and tea. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure the children's health and dietary needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s well-being is generally promoted as the childminder ensures most of the required documentation, policies and procedures are in place and work well in practice. For example, she has a clear sick child policy in place and has a valid first aid certificate so that she can give appropriate first aid to children when necessary. However, the childminder has not obtained parents’ written consent for emergency medication treatment; this can impact on the children’s well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel safe and secure as the childminder has a health and safety policy in place and implements the policy appropriately. Children are able to explore their environment independently due to safety measures being in place. A visual risk assessment of toys and activities is carried out on the premises to ensure potential risks are identified and minimised. Children have access to a selection of well-maintained, developmentally appropriate toys and equipment. The childminder makes sure all resources and equipment are safe and appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. Children learn about the boundaries to keep themselves safe as they respond to the household rules and as they take part in regular emergency evacuation drills and learn road safety rules. This enables children to develop the skills and ability to look after themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to support the children's safety and ensure their welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has the required parental consents to take the children on outings, current public liability cover and a clear understanding of child protection issues and the steps to take should she need to seek advice or report any concerns she may have.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well occupied due to the welcoming and stimulating environment. The childminder plans her weekly activities in advance and ensures that her timetable is flexible so that children can input their own ideas into their play time. Children benefit well from the wide range of play opportunities which they are able to participate in, particularly creative, imaginative play opportunities and outdoor activities. They gain good levels of self-esteem and confidence as they independently select a wide range of play resources and various activities. For example, children develop good imaginative play ideas playing with farm animals and dressing up as doctors and patients. They confidently use the doctor’s kit set to examine their patient.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are supported well by the childminder while she provides a wide range of challenging experiences for them. The activities are varied and appropriate to the children's development. This enables them to move forward and to progress. For example, children develop their language

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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 as they read their books with the childminder and sing nursery rhymes. They sound out the first letters of their names and try to write their names on their work. They develop their mathematical thinking through playing mathmatical games and within their daily play such as counting how many animals they have.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they learn about the world around them and how things grow. Their day is full of experiences, which ensure they are connecting with their environment, such as attending local parents and toddlers groups and regular visits to places of interest. Children have opportunities to explore the natural environment by taking part in simple experiments such as growing vegetables and flower seeds in the garden. They have a good understanding about right and wrong, reinforced by the childminder's positive attitude towards their care and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are confident speakers and communicate their ideas well because the childminder listens to them, questions them and encourages them to talk about their interests. They express their ideas when playing with toys and give a reasonable explanation to the childminder on what they need to make their secure farm house. They enjoy exploring the cornflower mixture and drawing. Children recognise different colours when drawing pictures of their garden and choose which colour flowers they wish to grow in their garden. The childminder ensures that she fully meets the individual needs of the children through her continued training and development. She is developing the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework when planning activities for younger children and using elements of the Foundation Stage curriculum to ensure all children are progressing well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals due to the childminder's good understanding of equality issues. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such children are identified. Children complete the information sheets on ‘All about me' which explain about their favourite activities, likes, dislikes and their hobbies. This ensures all individual children’s needs are met well. Children feel a sense of belonging as they bring their favourite things from home to play with or help them settle in the childminder’s home. They develop their self-esteem as their work is valued and displayed in the home and scrapbook. Children learn about diversity through a good range of planned activities, outings to local places of interest and play resources, reflecting positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as they respond to the childminder’s clear boundaries. The childminder organises a good range of activities to encourage children to share their toys and take turns. Children learn to be polite with each other as they are encouraged to say 'thank you' and 'please' when sharing their things. Children benefit greatly through the childminder’s good partnership with parents, which encourages a healthy working relationship and helps to support children’s care. The childminder ensures parents are kept well informed of their children's progress and daily activities through written feedback and daily discussions. She also provides written information to parents about her practice. The childminder encourages parents to bring things from home for children’s project activities and this positively encourages parents to be involved with their children’s learning.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are very happy and settled due to well organised play resources and activities. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework as a guide to provide a balance of child-led activities and organised play, which ensures children have a range of different, enjoyable and stimulating experiences whilst they are with her. Children develop their confidence as they independently access a wide range of learning resources and initiate their play. They have good rapport with the childminder as they feel comfortable talking with the childminder and approaching her for help. This has a positive impact on the children's learning and development. There are a number of policies and procedures in place to ensure children are well cared for; these cover aspects of the childminder's practice and generally these are reviewed and updated, although the attendance register is not always maintained accurately.

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Organisation

Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. Most of the required parents’ consents are in place. However, the childminder has not completed a pre-registration course yet. The childminder ensures that children are supervised at all times and that people with access to the children are suitably vetted and authorised to collect them. Overall, all 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 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 daily attendance records are recorded appropriately • complete a local authority approved childminder's pre-registration course • seek written permission from parents for emergency medical treatment.

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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 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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