Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY280235 Unique Reference Number 30 May 2007 Inspection date Carol Cox 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and eight in Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom and toilet of the property 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 four children under eight at different times during the week. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local toddler group. The family have a pet rabbit and cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder effectively promotes children's health through following good policies and procedures. She encourages children to learn to care for themselves and they know they must wash their hands before eating. She has good procedures in place when changing nappies and

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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 follows parents' guidelines when using nappy creams. She prevents the spread of infectious illnesses through a sensible exclusion policy which she shares with parents. Children enjoy daily exercise either in the house when they dance and move to music or in the garden and on walks to local shops and parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a current paediatric first aid certificate. Thus, she is able to deal appropriately with any minor accidents. She understands the need to obtain parental consent and guidance prior to administering medication and maintains clear and detailed medication and accident records which she shares with parents. However, at times parents do not sign records to confirm they have read them. The childminder has a good understanding of how to provide healthy and nutritious food and drinks. She works closely with parents to identify and meet any specific dietary needs children may have.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a safe, warm and welcoming environment for children. She regularly checks her home and garden to ensure cleanliness and safety, thus, children are free to play and move around as they choose. For example, a baby shuffles around the floor and practises pulling up against the sofa. The house and garden are secure and there is a sensible evacuation procedure in place. However, the childminder has not yet practised the evacuation plan when children are present. There are good arrangements in place with a local childminder to provide cover in case of emergency. The childminder is vigilant in documenting details of those authorised to collect children and she has agreed an emergency password system with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded from abuse as the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and an understanding of how to follow Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She has experience of working in partnership with parents and social workers and all concerns and policies are shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children flourish in the childminder's care because she obviously enjoys spending time with them. She has a good understanding of how to help children learn and develop by building on their own interests. She provides a wide variety of interesting resources and activities to stimulate and support children's learning and development through freely chosen play. For example, the baby happily played with a 'noisy' toy then crawled off to join older children playing with a road mat and cars. Children are happy and settled and benefit from the warm and friendly relationships which the childminder builds with them. For example, the childminder cuddled a baby whilst bottle-feeding, the baby was happy and relaxed and relished the contact.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans activities to promote learning in all areas and includes regular opportunities for outside play and physical development. She chats to the children about their games and helps them express their ideas and extend their vocabularies. The childminder uses everyday activities to stimulate learning, for example, whilst walking to the shops children name colours on house doors and count cars.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are many examples of children's own pictures on display and children are encouraged to access toys and games freely and to choose their next activities.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are free to choose toys and games and are encouraged to be involved in planning activities. For example, children talk about going to the park to play football when the weather clears up. They happily choose their own toys and are confident to seek reassurance or ask for drinks when needed. The childminder values the individuality of each child in her care and helps children learn about different people and their lives through everyday discussions about the people they meet. She has joined a local toy library to extend the range of resources to portray positive images of different people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and she helps them learn how their behaviour may affect others through sensitive and gentle discussion. She has simple house rules which the children understand. She shares any concerns about behaviour with parents and is happy to work with them to provide consistent support for children. Her approach to behaviour management is sensitive and consistent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder values parents as partners and works hard to build good relationships with them. Although the childminder has an appropriate complaints procedure and a poster is clearly displayed, parents have not been given written information about how to make a complaint directly to Ofsted. The childminder shares photographs and verbal information with parents about their children's development and makes time available for private meetings if needed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder offers a warm and friendly place where children are well cared for and learn and develop through play. Children benefit from the good range of interesting and appropriate activities to help them learn and develop. There are clear policies and procedures in place to safeguard children. All records and documentation are well written and stored securely. The childminder has built close relationships with parents who share all records maintained about their children and sign to confirm that they have agreed the details. The childminder is well qualified and attends regular training to update her practice.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she cares.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend her resources and knowledge to promote equal opportunities for all children. She has increased her toys and resources to portray images of different people and their lives and has supplemented this with membership of a local toy library. She uses everyday activities to discuss with children the differences between people.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • provide parents with copies of the complaints procedure

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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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