Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347135 Unique Reference Number 13 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 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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 13, 10 and eight years-old in Baldock, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms of the childminder's house 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 anyone time. Currently she is minding two children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has three cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted well through various activities. They enjoy a wide range of activities which develop and enhance their physical skills. For example, they have fun playing with an excellent range of resources such as jumping on the trampoline, having a sack race, spoon and egg race and catching ball games with each other. They use various art and craft materials to create pictures. Children stay healthy as they enjoy healthy nutritious home cooked

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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 meals which are prepared by the childminder. They have fresh fruit for snacks. They benefit from being involved in cooking activities and the preparation of their snacks. They understand which food is good to eat, how to prepare healthy meals and how they can get food poisoning when they play the game of ‘why my tummy aches'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's well-being is promoted as the childminder ensures required polices and procedures are in place and used effectively in practice to promote their good health. For example, she washes her hands before preparing food, ensures that a clean hand towel is provided for the minded children every day, which minimises the risk of cross-infection. Children begin to learn about the benefits of maintaining personal hygiene practices through good examples shown by the childminder and her discussions with them. For example, they brush their teeth before breakfast and wash hands before eating. The childminder provides a shaded area in the garden for children to work outside in warm weather. Children do not become thirsty as drinking water is available at all times. Children receive prompt appropriate treatment in the event of accidents because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a well stocked first aid kit is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for within a child-orientated, family home environment, which is kept safe and secure. The childminder carries out daily visual risk assessments to ensure the environment is safe for children. She makes good use of space to provide many purposeful activities and opportunities for children. Children independently select activities from a broad range of resources, which are stored safely within easy access. The childminder ensures children wear their seat belts when travelling in a car. However, parents' written consent is not in place for taking children out on outings. Children are learning to keep themselves safe through the childminder's guidance and clear rules. For example, children understand only one child can play on the trampoline at any one time. They understand fire safety rules and what action to take in an emergency as a big fire safety poster is displayed in the conservatory. Children are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safe with the childminder because she has an appropriate understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Older children are very happy and confident in the stimulating environment and take part in a superb range of activities. Art and craft opportunities for the children are particularly splendid, the childminder plans inspired activities in which all the children can be involved. The childminder skilfully supports children's learning by asking appropriate questions, which are suitable for their level. A close and caring relationship increases children’s sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self-esteem. Early communication skills are well supported through the childminder's good quality interaction. Children develop their sense of belonging as they design their own dinner plates with their names when they first start with the childminder. They keep their beautiful patterned plates at the childminder's home and use them for their meals times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their social skills well as the childminder skilfully organises team games and activities which encourage children to share their play ideas and resources. Children are well occupied in purposeful activities. They are challenged by new concepts because the childminder

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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 takes time to include open questions into all daily routines and play, thereby extending children’s curiosity and self-initiated learning. Children do not get bored, as their interest in activities is sustained at all times. For example, children develop their confidence as they take part in various challenging sports games. They use a superb range of art-craft materials to develop their creative skills. Children made their father's day cards and books. 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 making connections about their environment, through attending groups and regular visits to places of interest. Children are motivated and make many good links in their learning as they use their imagination in creative play. They are confident

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

speakers and communicate their ideas well because the childminder listens to them, questions them and encourages them to talk about their interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued, respected as individuals and are treated with equal concern, because the childminder has a good understanding about equality issues, as well as experience of working with children with learning difficulties. She ensures that all children's needs are met effectively and that they have a positive attitude to others through the use of positive images, resources and activities in order to raise children's awareness of the wider world. They have a good rapport with the childminder as they are confident to ask for advice when required. Children’s understanding of right and wrong is increased because they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, play resources and each other. They know what is expected of them as they respond to the childminder’s clear boundaries. All children sit together at the table for their meals and learn good table manners. They learn to be polite with each other as they are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouraged to say 'thank you' and 'please' when sharing their things.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a good partnership with parents that encourages a healthy working relationship and helps to support children well. The childminder ensures parents are well informed as she provides written information about her practice. However, parents have not been informed about the updated complaints procedure. Children take their work home to show to their parents and daily information is shared with parents, which has a positive impact on children's care. The parents and children are very happy with the childminder's service as they have given her very positive written feedback.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all the children and she organises her provision effectively to care for them and foster their development and learning. Children feel at home and at ease due to childminder’s friendly and caring approach. The space and play resources are effectively organised which ensures children have a good range of different, enjoyable and stimulating experiences. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder offers high quality opportunities rooted in expert knowledge of childcare and development. She supervises children closely to ensure their safety. She ensures children are only collected by parents or a named person who is authorised to collect them.

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Organisation

Most policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed of the childminder’s

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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 practice and their children's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. She attended several training courses and work shops to enhance her childcare knowledge. The childminder's commitment, enthusiasm and enjoyment of what she does are reflected in the positive impact of her practice. 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 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): • ensure parents are informed about the updated complaints procedure • obtain written parental permission for any outings.

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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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