Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY300241 Unique Reference Number 22 May 2007 Inspection date Lynn Masterman 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged two and seven years old, and a baby of five months. The family live in a small village near Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The children have access to a secure outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under the age of eight and two over the age of eight who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. She takes children on outings and visits local play areas and amenities within the area. She is member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn about appropriate hygiene procedures from a young age. For example, children wash their hands before meals and after using the potty or the toilet. The

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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 use of anti-bacterial spray to clean work surfaces and play areas ensures the environment remains clean and suitable for children. The childminder has an appropriate exclusion procedure for children with infectious illnesses. Signs and symptoms are promptly recognised and parents are informed, which ensures children are cared for appropriately. However, the documentation requesting permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment following an accident or illness is not available. This results in children's health being at risk.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to take regular drinks to maintain their good health. They benefit from eating fresh fruit and vegetables to help them to appreciate a healthy diet. The childminder provides children with the opportunity to try new foods, such as pasta to help develop their awareness of different tastes and textures. She takes into account parents' wishes and children's individual choices when preparing snacks and meals. Therefore, children are well nourished because they are provided with a nutritionally balanced diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to experience active play both indoors and outside to help them enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy being out in the fresh air and have access to a suitable range of outdoor equipment, such as bikes, slides, swings, and footballs. They go for walks in the local community and the childminder promotes their awareness of exercise through everyday activities. For example, the childminder talks to the children about why people take their dogs for a walk and how walking is a good exercise for everyone.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in the home. For example, the use of socket covers, dangerous substances are stored out of reach and main doors remain locked to prevent children leaving unsupervised. This ensures children can move around freely and safely. Children are well supervised by the childminder and are always within sight and hearing distance. The childminder has appropriate fire evacuation procedures. However, these are not shared or practised with the children. This compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to become aware of their safety as the childminder gently reminds the children not to run in the house and gives the children a simple explanation of the consequences of their actions. This helps children to develop a sense of danger.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a satisfactory range of play resources and equipment, which are easily accessible, well maintained and meet the required safety standards. For example, resources are checked on a regular basis to ensure they are safe and do not pose risk to children. Play resources are stored at child height, which promotes their independence, confidence and the opportunity to make informed choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues. She is able to recognise potential indicators of abuse and knows to monitor and record concerns. She is confident with the procedures to be followed should she need to report a concern. This ensures children are appropriately safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a suitable range of purposeful activities. They are encouraged to make choices about their play. For example, 'would you like to stay inside and paint or shall we take the paint

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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 outside?' They are beginning to recognise colour, such as blue, yellow and red. They link colours to familiar items, such as 'my granddad's car is blue'. This helps children become competent learners.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes use of routine activities to promote children's awareness of the world around them. For example, children watch attentively as the window cleaner climbs the ladders. The childminder asks the children, 'can you see the window cleaner climb the ladders? He has to be careful just like you do when you climb the steps to the slide'. This help children make links with their own experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to the childminder. They share a warm, caring relationship with each other and have formed good friendships. They respond with lots of smiles and affectionate facial expressions. This results in children learning appropriate social skills, enjoying being with each other and developing purposeful friendships. Children freely approach the childminder for a cuddle and then return to their play. This helps to children to feel safe and secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy and enjoy attending the childminder's home. New children settle well due to the childminder's sensitivity towards their individual needs. She works in partnership with parents to maintain familiar routines and to ensure all children receive individual attention. For example, she knows some children are shy and need to be encouraged to take part in group activities. This helps children to feel safe and secure. The childminder has a kind, caring manner with the children as they form close and meaningful relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an acceptable understanding of promoting children's awareness of equality of opportunity and diversity. However, resources to promote diversity through play are limited. Therefore, children's awareness of the diversity within the wider community is not fully developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved. The childminder has a calm and consistent approach to the management of children's behaviour. There are simple 'house rules' which encourage acceptable levels of behaviour in the house and towards each other. Children receive appropriate praise and encouragement for their achievements, for example, children are praised for sharing toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents. Appropriate communication systems ensure information is shared and parents are kept well informed of their child's achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and settled within the childminder's home, which means they move around with confidence and are able to explore the environment safely. The home provides a secure base for children, which enables them to make informed choices about their play and express their individual needs. Child ratios are maintained to ensure children receive appropriate levels of care and attention.

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Organisation

Most statutory documentation meets the requirements of the National Standards and is stored securely to maintain confidentiality. However, the systems in place for recording children'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 daily attendance lack sufficient detail. The childminder has not complied with the regulation to inform Ofsted of any significant events, namely the birth of a baby. This compromises the management of the provision. There is a suitable range of policies and procedures, which are shared with parents. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the 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 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): • request parents' permission to seek emergency treatment or advice • ensure children are aware of the appropriate actions to take in case of a fire • ensure children have access to a broad range of resources and activities which reflect diversity • develop further the systems for recording children's attendance • inform Ofsted of any significant events.

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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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