Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347420 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2007 Inspection date Linda Christie Ravenall 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 two children aged four and seven years in a residential area of Redditch, Worcestershire. All areas of the house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available 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 and is currently minding two children under five all day, and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. A vehicle is available for trips further a field. The family has a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a clean and well-kept home as the childminder has a proficient understanding of how to promote children's good health. She takes positive steps to develop children’s understanding and awareness of good health and hygiene. She explains the importance

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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 of hand washing before meals, after handling animals and at frequent intervals during the day. All the required documents are in place regarding health information and accident records however not all medication records have been countersigned by parents to ensure parents have a clear awareness of when the last dosage was given to fully promote children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a positive awareness of a healthy lifestyle as they partake in good physical activities and make independent choices from mainly healthy snacks and drinks. Menus are balanced and varied using fresh ingredients to make homemade recipes such as fish cakes, lasagne and corned beef hash which the children really enjoy. Children enjoy regular access to the garden and visits to the park as they walk home from school each day. Children also benefit from activities that encourage them to acquire new skills such as mark making and cookery utensils, to develop their hand and eye co-ordination as they play and learn.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and welfare is strongly promoted as the childminder is first aid trained and has good observational skills which enable her to respond swiftly when a child is unwell. She checks their temperature and contacts their parents when she suspects a child is feeling poorly. She notes changes to their normal patterns of behaviour such as refusing food when their normal appetite is good and being tearful and clingy, when forming her decision to send the child home to their parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a happy, family atmosphere where they can move freely and safely around the home and can sit comfortably to play together with their friends. They enjoy good access to a broad variety of toys and resources that are stored in boxes on the floor to allow the children to easily choose what they want to play with. These are checked daily to ensure they are safe and suitable for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well cared for in premises that are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. This is because the setting ensures that the environment gives children good access to a comprehensive range of facilities that successfully promote children’s development. The childminder provides separate areas for babies and toddlers to roll on their play mats and explore. The older children have use of the dedicated playroom to ensure all their individual needs are fulfilled and activities meet the needs of differing age groups equally well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are carefully supervised and are developing a growing understanding of how to think and act safely as the childminder encourages them to take an active part in the monthly fire evacuation procedures. This includes testing the individual smoke alarms situated throughout the house to ensure they are working and recording the time taken for all the children to evacuate safely. Children also learn how to keep safe when they are walking home from school and visiting the park as they learn to look out for dangers from vehicles and large play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection procedures. She fully recognises her individual responsibility to act in the best interests of the children in her care should concerns arise. This includes sharing her child protection procedures with parents and maintaining careful details of existing injuries and minor accidents. As a result the children's welfare and safety is safeguarded.

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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 happy and settled and enjoy a warm responsive relationship with the childminder. She uses her experience of children's development to provide a variety of activities and opportunities to help the children progress in all areas of learning. The children are interested and engaged in the stimulating activities that they undertake with the childminder who constantly interacts with them as a way of letting them know that they are important and valued. They chuckle happily as they join in action songs such as a rowing boat rhyme, enjoying the bodily movement of touching hands and sounds of a familiar song.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from access to a range of resources that are suitable, interesting and readily accessible to them. The childminder uses some aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Although many baby and toddler toys are highly engaging because of their sound, colour and textures there are few opportunities for children to explore natural play materials, to further promote their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs and routines are well promoted as the childminder gains detailed information about their individual preferences to help them settle in and feel secure. She organises each day carefully to allow time to hold and play with the babies independently, whilst continuing to respect their individual routines which are essential to their development and overall well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle easily into new routines and have equal access to the full range of activities. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of the need for children to become aware of the wider society however there are few resources that reflect diversity, for children to be able to fully develop an understanding of the wider world. The childminder has little experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities however she is aware of how to work with parents and seek professional help and advice if needed, to promote their welfare and future development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in response to warm, patient care and consistent handling and praise. They feel a sense of belonging as they are warmly welcomed and given sufficient time to settle into the childminder's home before separating fully from their parents. The childminder communicates effectively with parents to quickly get to know a child's needs and make them feel at home. She works with parents when agreeing to strategies to promote the children's behaviour by sharing her own behaviour policy at induction, this ensures they have clear understanding of how their children are being cared for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from good partnerships between the childminder and their parents which actively promote their learning and welfare. Parents are regularly informed of their child’s progress and activities each day and a daily diary is maintained to share with parents. A comprehensive complaints procedure ensures parents have a full understanding of the action to take should they have any concerns and it clearly lays out the required response from the childminder and the records she is required to maintain.

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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 good. Children are happy because the childminder has a good understanding of the individual needs of the young children and babies in her care. The children's safety is effectively promoted as she engages them in safety routines. The home is very secure and the welfare of the children in her care is her first priority as she ensures that all adults who come into regular contact with the children are suitably vetted. Children enjoy equal access to an interesting range of enjoyable, age appropriate activities.

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Organisation

The children benefit greatly from the good organisational skills of the childminder who uses the home and her time most effectively, to positively support individual babies and make them feel very special. The children's health is well promoted through consistent routines, access to frequent drinks and home cooked food. A comprehensive range of parental consents supports the daily care of the children. Most documentation is well presented and maintained in good order. 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): • ensure parents countersign all medication records to further promote the children's good health • plan and provide further activities to aid children's development in line with the aspects and approach as describes in 'Birth to three matters' such messy play activities and treasure baskets • extend the range of resources which promote positive images of disability, race gender and ethnicity, and plan activities to enable children to learn about the wider world

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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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