Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345671 Unique Reference Number 06 July 2007 Inspection date Sarah Measures 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 21 years in Geddington, Northamptonshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, apart from one bedroom and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently cares for one child who is under five years, on a part time basis. The childminder either walks or uses her car to transport children to and from local pre-school groups and nurseries. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic home. Their good health is further promoted because the childminder follows careful cleaning routines. For example, she routinely cleans toys and equipment to ensure they are always suitable for children to use. Children learn to protect themselves as they are encouraged into good routines of washing their hands before eating, after outdoor play and after using the toilet. Individual towels are provided to be fully

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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 effective in preventing the spread of any infection amongst children. Children benefit from regular outdoor play experiences as they have fun and go on walks exploring the local area. They develop good physical skills as they take part in action songs and use varied physical equipment when they visit the childminder's friend and play in her garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks and are well nourished as the childminder takes care to provide balanced menus that are low in sugar and fat content. Children have good opportunities to learn about healthy eating through the interesting stories the childminder shares with them. Children's health and dietary needs are well met because the childminder works well with parents to understand and meet any individual needs. She has a good awareness of the sleeping, feeding and toileting routines of young children which helps her to meet individual needs effectively and provides good continuity of children's care. The childminder keeps a record of parental consent to seek any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice, however this is not always readily available in order to ensure children's protection if an emergency were to occur.

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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 secure and safe environment. The indoor premises are carefully risk assessed to ensure hazards to children are minimised. Children are further protected because the childminder has a responsible attitude towards safety issues and supervises children very carefully. Children feel at home because space is well organised and allows them safe and easy access to areas used. The premises is welcoming to children, with interesting activities arranged in the living room and kitchen. Children are well protected when they are transported out of the home. This is because the childminder takes care to provide suitable car seats which are agreed with parents and she ensures children are kept close to her when they are out walking. The high adult to child ratios in place help to enhance children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children choose from a good range of very good quality play resources and books which are carefully selected to ensure they gain maximum benefit educationally as they play and have fun. Children are well safeguarded because the childminder is confident with her knowledge of child protection issues and ensures referral information is available is to use if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very well settled. The childminder pays constant attention to their needs in order to ensure they are content and comfortable. Ongoing interactions involve children in the setting and in decision making to help them develop good confidence and independence. Children develop a strong sense of belonging as the childminder shares photographs from home with them. Good adult support and comfort help to establish warm relationships between the childminder and children. Friendly discussions about what children want and need ensure they are acknowledged and affirmed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder carries out written observations on the children in order to build up a good understanding of their needs and interests to help her plan for their individual progress. The childminder uses her good knowledge of child development to plan a range of fun learning opportunities for children. She plans activities around themes of learning to ensure children's understanding is reinforced in different ways. For example, children are currently looking at fish and water so they take part in role play, look at books and enjoy DVD's that link up to the same learning intention. Children choose from a good range of activities in and out of the home

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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 that promote all development areas very well. Children's language development and their enjoyment of books and stories is very effectively promoted. This is demonstrated as they very much enjoy sharing books with the childminder, discussing pictures and predicting what happens next.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals by the childminder who gets to know them well. Children develop good positive attitudes towards those that are different from themselves because a range of very good quality books and play resources that represent a diverse society are well integrated within their play environment. The childminder has a positive attitude towards promoting equality of opportunity for children. This is demonstrated as she shares books with the children that include all kinds of people. Equality of opportunity for boys and girls is effectively promoted because books offer positive gender role models and all children play with a variety of toys. There are no children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties in attendance at present, however the childminder has a secure understanding of how to support children with special needs and has experience of meeting the needs of children with hearing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because they are well occupied and have good adult support and attention. The childminder makes effective use of praise and encouragement in order for children to develop good self-esteem and to help them to develop patterns of good behaviour. Children learn considerate and responsible behaviours because the childminder provides them with a good role model and helps them to reflect upon the consequences of their actions upon others. The childminder has an approachable and professional manner and develops good working relationships with parents in order to promote continuity of children's care. She shares observation records and has an ongoing dialogue with parents to ensure they are kept informed of children's routines and progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Policies and procedures effectively promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievements and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder has a committed attitude towards improving the provision for children and is attending relevant training to further improve her knowledge. The childminder very much enjoys her work, which helps to create a warm and positive environment for children. Children are protected in the event of an accident because the childminder has attended training in first aid for infants and young children.

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Organisation

Routines are well established to help children feel secure. Premises and play resources are well organised to meet children's needs. The childminder organises her time effectively so that children are well supervised and supported. She completes household tasks before children arrive and only involves children in tasks that are educational, for example, sorting and matching washing. Systems for keeping records are generally well organised and confidential in order to protect children and promote their welfare. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the children that attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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 upon request. The complaints records 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): • make sure that written parental consent to seek any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice is easily accessible to protect children in the event of an emergency.

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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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