Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345221 Unique Reference Number 29 May 2007 Inspection date Sarah Gilpin 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?

This childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and their children aged eight and seven years in Conisborough, Doncaster. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, bathroom facilities are on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden 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 caring for five children who attend on a full or part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and makes use of local facilities, such as the park and library. The family has a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is currently studying for a level three qualification.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder maintains a clean and hygienic environment, because she understands and implements good hygiene practices when she cleans food preparation areas using anti-bacterial spray and washes her hands before making meals for the children. As a result, the children's good health is actively promoted. Young children are learning about their own personal hygiene because the childminder sets a good example and provides resources, such as individual hand wipes, and reminds them about hand washing before they engage in baking activities. However, during the inspection the childminder placed the changing mat on the dining table, which put children at risk of cross contamination. There is suitable equipment for dealing with accidents involving children, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and she keeps comprehensive records of all bumps and scrapes involving the children in her care. There is a

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Helping children to be healthy

system for obtaining consent from the parents in order for the childminder to seek emergency treatment for all of the children in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands that young children's physical health and well being is important. They enjoy regular access to the garden, the local park and indoor play areas. In addition, the daily walk to and from school ensures that the children benefit from fresh air frequently. The childminder successfully encourages them to be independent and she carefully monitors them on apparatus, such as the trampoline. She works with parents to ensure that children's sleep routines are consistent, for example, by providing sleep facilities, which suit their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy nutritious and healthy snacks and meals that are prepared by the childminder to suit their individual routines and their attendance patterns. She has a good knowledge and understanding of what constitutes a balanced diet, which is clearly demonstrated through the weekly menu plan. Children benefit from having dried and fresh fruit each day. The childminder asks parents to complete a form to provide detailed information about their children's dietary needs, before she starts to care for them. This means that the children are not exposed to any foods that may cause an allergic reaction, and are provided with foods they enjoy, which helps them to feel settled.

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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 safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment because the childminder takes appropriate steps to minimise hazards. For example, a safety gate is used to limit access to the first floor and potential risks are avoided when they play because they are closely supervised. Fire safety precautions, such as smoke detectors are in place, and the risk assessment checklist details how the batteries are tested each month and replaced annually. The childminder displays her fire evacuation and emergency plan, which she routinely shares with the parents. The evacuation is regularly practised to raise the children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder considers the children's safety carefully, for example, her risk assessment for using the 'paddling pool' in the summer includes ensuring that two adults are present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a very good range of toys and resources, which young children can access safely because they are stored at low-level. There are suitable high chairs to enable the younger children to

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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 sit with the older ones safely as they play together with play dough or when baking. The indoor and outdoor equipment available meets the required safety standards and the childminder maintains and cleans the toys and resources on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children and dealing with child protection issues. She demonstrates a clear awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. There are clear systems in place to record and report any concerns relating to the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. There are warm and affectionate relationships between the children and the childminder, which results in the children feeling secure and comfortable. They thoroughly enjoy the cuddles and reassurance they receive and this helps them to be confident around unfamiliar adults. The childminder enjoys playing with the children, she gets down to their level and is actively involved in their play. She talks constantly to the children, helping them to learn, for example, naming the colours of the play dough and cutters and talking about shapes as they complete jigsaws together. The childminder knows the individual children well and provides activities and experiences that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. There are regular creative and craft play opportunities, such as sticking, painting and model making. Children are delighted when they make 'crispy buns' to take home for their families.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses her experience and her knowledge of child development to plan a varied routine of outings and home-based activities. There are regular opportunities for them to socialise with their peers when they visit the local play group and meet with other registered childminders. A collection of photographs provides glimpses of the children having fun and engaging in a wide variety of activities. The children have lots of choice about what they do because the toys are rotated. The childminder is continuing to develop her knowledge and resources, such as creating a treasure basket of natural products for the babies to explore, following her attendance at a training course.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children's understanding of the local community and environment is growing because the childminder takes them out in the local area to socialise with other children. For example, they go to play group, the park and the indoor play area. The childminder ensures that children are developing their awareness of other people and the world around them, by providing them with books, resources and activities that show positive images of disability and the diversity of society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and the childminder effectively manages them using positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour. They respond really well to the her warm and positive approach. She uses techniques, such as distraction with the younger children and she successfully redirects them to a different task or activity. As a result, the children are busy and engaged throughout the day. She helps them to develop their understanding of what is right and wrong because she sets clear boundaries and is consistent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder understands the benefits of working in partnership with parents and carers and fosters good relationships. Information is shared through easy going verbal exchanges as

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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 the children arrive and depart. She is constantly seeking to improve her practice and is developing a daily diary for the younger children in her care. The childminder informed parents of her impending inspection and they provided written comments about their experiences and complete satisfaction with the service provided by the childminder. She has a good understanding of the regulations regarding the recording of complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are cared for in a very well organised environment. The childminder enables the children to access resources easily because she rotates them and keeps items at their level. She provides a variety of fun activities each week, planning around the children's interests. There is a routine for the children to enjoy, such as home-based play and outings to the local park and play group where they have chance to socialise with their peers. As a result, the children are secure, quietly confident and happy.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards because she actively uses them to guide her work. In addition, the childminder is studying for a level three childcare qualification to develop her knowledge and prepare her for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised and all of the required documentation to support the care of the children is in place. For example, written agreements are clear and child records forms are detailed. She accurately records the children's attendance each day and accident and medication records provide information for parents. In addition, the childminder successfully implements her written policies and procedures, including health and safety and child protection. There is a clear complaints procedure, which details how the childminder intends to respond to any concerns raised.

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Organisation

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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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

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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): • implement good hygiene practices in order to prevent cross contamination.

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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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