Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY272472 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2007 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin 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 2003. She lives with her husband and son, in a two bedroom semi-detached house on the outskirts of the town of Devizes. Children have access to a lounge/dining room, kitchen, bathroom and the main bedroom for sleeping. The childminder is registered to provide care for four children under the age of eight and currently cares for seven children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is able to drive and has access to a car. Children are taken on outings to the local park and to Gym Tots and she picks up from Bishops Cannings school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Tracy is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and rest in warm, clean premises. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of the need to maintain suitable standards of hygiene in the home, including ensuring surfaces,

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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 toys and equipment are regularly cleaned. Children are encouraged to learn the importance of following hygienic routines, however, they use wipes for their hands and are not encouraged to implement hand washing routines. This does not minimise the risk of cross-infection fully. Children benefit from the childminder's awareness of the correct administrative procedures to follow if children have an accident or require medication whilst in her care. However, she has overlooked updating her first aid certificate and, hence, children's health and safety is at risk in the event of an accident. A detailed sickness policy is in place which states the procedures the childminder will follow, both if a child is unwell when they arrive and if they become ill whilst in her care. This helps reduce children's exposure to unnecessary illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gains information from parents regarding children's dietary needs and preferences and any requirements are catered for. Children bring their own lunches to the childminder's house and these are stored appropriately in the fridge to protect their health from perishable foods. Children have opportunities to develop their awareness of healthy eating through the nutritious snacks they enjoy when attending Toddler groups together. There, they have discussions about the importance of eating healthy foods and the effects this has on their bodies. Children have access to drinks at all times, hence they have enough fluids throughout the day. Children's dietary needs are successfully met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise with trips to the park that is behind the childminder's house, where they have access to a varied range of apparatus to support their physical development. They frequently go for walks and visit other parks and play areas, where they play football and make obstacle courses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in welcoming premises, where the best use has been made of the available space to meet the needs of the children. Children, therefore have areas for eating, resting and suitable floor space for play. Children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment that help support their development in all areas. These are stored in a large cupboard and the childminder brings out a selection daily to help encourage the children's confidence in selecting those they wish to play with. Children know the toys that are available and confidently ask the childminder to get out other toys they wish to play with, for example, the train set. Children benefit from the childminder's awareness of safety issues regarding the maintenance and purchase of toys and equipment. Children, therefore, play with toys that are safe, suitable and age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in safe premises, free from risks as the childminder has completed a detailed risk assessment of her home, and implemented safety measures to promote safety and prevent accidents. For example, sockets are covered, safety gates prevent access to the stairs and kitchen, glass is covered. However, the premises are not kept secure and this poses a risk to the children, as they are able to leave the house unsupervised. All fire precautions are in place, although the fire evacuation plan is not regularly practised with the children to ensure it is effective in keeping them safe in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder formally shares her child protection duties with parents , records injuries that children have sustained outside of the setting and this actively promotes the children's well-being. The childminder has all up to date information and a detailed knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. This demonstrates her commitment to safeguarding the children in her care.

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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 in the childminder's care. They happily enter her home and separate from their parents quickly and easily. Children quickly settle and join in with the activities, for example, playing with the dolls and enjoy dressing them and taking them for walks in the buggy. The childminder supports the children well during their play, talking to them about what they are doing, and offering help where needed, for example, in dressing the dolls and talking about the noises a baby makes. This helps support the children's language development, as well as promoting their self-confidence. Children readily approach the childminder for assistance or to request items, for example, to fill up their drink cup and to get out the train set. She quickly responds to these requests, ensuring the children have their needs met. Children eagerly select books to read and the childminder sits with them talking to them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

about the pictures, and helping the children link these to their personal lives. For example, when looking at the bubbles she asks the children, 'Where do you put bubbles?' and they say 'In the bath'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises a good range of activities for the children that help support their development in all areas. Children, therefore, frequently engage in pretend play, read books, play games and participate in art and craft activities. They regularly attend local Toddler groups, where they socialise with other children. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and links the activities she provides the children with to the aspects of this, ensuring children benefit with regard to their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who knows the children in her care extremely well, and ensures she meets their individual needs, thus, helping to promote their self-esteem. She supports the children with any issues they may face in their daily lives by getting books out of the library to enable them to discuss these and be supported in a respectful environment. Children have access to a wide range of resources that help promote positive images of diversity in their daily play and have regular opportunities to socialise with other children through attending Toddler groups. The childminder supports the development of children with learning disabilities, ensuring she liaises with parents fully regarding their care and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. They are encouraged to share and take turns and be kind towards one another. The childminder is a good role model to the children, being respectful to them and calm in her manner. She has a secure knowledge of how to manage children's behaviour, including the use of praise and encouragement. Thus, children learn right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the sound partnership with parents as they have their routines respected and they are cared for in line with parents' wishes. Communication between parents and the childminder is good, and this means childcare issues are easily discussed, hence the childminder is able to offer the children continuity of care. Parents receive detailed information regarding the childminder's policies and the procedures she is required to follow as a registered childcare provider.

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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 satisfactory. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by a suitable and appropriately qualified childminder. She has attended an additional course to help support her professional development and to enable her to understand how children benefit from the activities she provides for them, enabling her to reflect on her practice. However, she has overlooked the need to ensure her first aid certificate is kept up to date. The register is all up to date and accurate and shows a true record of the times the children are in the childminder's care. The childminder keeps an accurate record of her daily schedule to ensure she maintains the correct adult to child ratios at all times. This ensures the children receive good adult support, with the childminder spending quality time interacting and playing with them, supporting their needs well.

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Organisation

All required documentation is kept on the premises, stored securely and available for inspection. All necessary consents have been gained from parents regarding their children participating in routines and activities. This protects the children's well-being and ensures parents are aware of and agree to the care they receive. The childminder implements most policies and procedures consistently in a way that promotes the children's welfare, care and learning. These are formal and detailed and shared with parents in a file.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to develop knowledge and understanding of the procedure to take, if an allegation of abuse is made whilst a child is in her care and to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is aware of the procedure to follow if an allegation of abuse is made whilst a child is in her care, and now has a suitable range of toys and resources that promote positive images of diversity in children's daily play.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection no complaints have been made to Ofsted that has required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 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): • ensure a valid First Aid certificate is held at all times. Encourage children to practise good hand washing routines to minimise the spread of infection • ensure the premises are secure and that children are not able to leave them unsupervised. Practise the fire evacuation plan to make sure it is effective in keeping children safe in the event of a fire

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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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