Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337737 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2007 Inspection date Melanie Arnold 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 husband and two children aged eight and 10 in Collingham, near Newark. The whole house is used for childminding, although most activities take place on the ground floor. 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 six children at any one time during the day and for one child for overnight care. The childminder currently has one child on roll who attends before and after school sessions. She takes children to and collects them from school. The family has two guinea pigs. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is protected as regular cleaning routines help to maintain a clean environment in which children can play. The risk of cross-infection is minimised through children developing

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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 good hand washing practices, having individual towels to dry their hands on and through the childminder not providing care when children are ill. However, permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice has not been obtained, to effectively ensure children's health and safety is maintained at all times. Children are regularly encouraged to be active to help keep them healthy. For example, trips to the park, walks around the area and playing in the garden, all contribute to promoting children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's growth and development is appropriately promoted through the childminder providing a balanced diet and offering regular drinks to meet children's needs. Although a satisfactory range of snacks are provided and offered to children, they often opt for unhealthy options. Children's dietary requirements are met because the childminder gathers clear information from parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe and protected within the childminder’s care due to the appropriate procedures she has implemented. For example, the setting is maintained securely, safety plugs are used in any exposed electrical sockets and cupboard locks prevent children accessing inappropriate materials and equipment. Their understanding of safety issues is also promoted during activities. For example, when children use scissors for cutting activities, the childminder gently reminds them how they should and should not hold the scissors to help prevent any accidental injuries. Children's care needs are met through the appropriate organisation of space, resources and equipment. The provision of adequate space enables children to play and take part in activities, which helps to develop their skills. Children have fun playing with suitable toys and resources, which are regularly checked to keep them in good working order.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children remain safe on outings and within the home because the childminder supervises children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

at all times. However, to fully ensure their safety is effectively maintained when transporting children in the car, the childminder has yet to obtain an appropriate level of car insurance cover. Although the childminder has a general understanding of child protection issues, she lacks clear knowledge and access to up to date procedures to fully ensure children's well-being is not compromised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have fun playing with the generally good range of toys and resources. Older children independently select their resources out of the store cupboard, enabling them to freely choose their play resources. A range of different toys are set out around the room each day to enable younger children to freely access suitable play materials. Children relate well to the childminder, who listens and values what they have to say. Conversations are developed around children's interests and needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children who are cared for after school have the freedom to choose their own activities, as the childminder considers this to be their leisure time. For example, on arriving back from school children request to do some cutting. The childminder provides them with a range of catalogues and the children have fun finding different pictures to cut out. Activities and outings are also suggested by the childminder when needed, to ensure all children remain occupied.

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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 Younger children are provided with more structured activities during the day, to help them learn and develop their skills. All children enjoy taking part in creative activities, like painting, sticking and play dough, which helps to develop their imagination and creativity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder's care. They feel a sense of belonging as the childminder understands their differing needs and respects them as individuals. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This results in her having a clear understanding of procedures to follow and implement when providing care for these children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is mainly good, with praise and encouragement regularly offered to help develop their self-esteem. Children are encouraged to learn good manners, to share toys and to be polite to one another. Appropriate strategies are in place to manage any unwanted behaviour, in line with children's age and stage of development. Children's needs are met through the childminder working in partnership with parents and carers. Relevant information on the childminder's practices, policies and procedures is in the process of being put together to help keep parents informed. Parents find out about their child's daily activities through verbal discussions.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and confident in the childminder’s care as her friendly nature helps to create a warm and welcoming environment. Their needs are met because space and resources are organised appropriately to provide comfortable areas for children can play, rest and eat. Children remain in the care of the childminder at all times, ensuring their well-being is protected. However, children's health and safety is potentially compromised because the childminder has breeched a National Standard by not completing a first aid course. Children's privacy and welfare are maintained when they are cared for overnight, because they are provided with their own bedroom to sleep in. Procedures are in place so that clear information is gathered on children's overnight routines, to ensure their needs are met.

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Organisation

Children’s welfare, development, care and learning are satisfactorily promoted because the childminder is in the process of putting some informative policies and procedures in place. The majority of documents and records are in place and completed with the required information to help safeguard and promote children’s well-being. Children's welfare is protected through the childminder ensuring all records are stored with regard to maintaining confidentiality. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • obtain permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • obtain appropriate car insurance cover • obtain up to date guidance and develop knowledge of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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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