Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY247010 Unique Reference Number 23 May 2007 Inspection date Elaine Douglas 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 was registered in 2002. She works from her home address with another registered childminder; her daughter works as their assistant. She lives with her husband and foster child aged 13 years. They live in a terraced house, close to the centre of Highbridge in Somerset. There are shops and playing fields within walking distance of the house. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. 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 12 children at any one time when working with the other childminder or assistant and is currently minding 14 children, of whom only one is full time. One child attends after school only. The family has a dog, a cat, a rabbit and an aviary of birds in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local childminder group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder and co-minder hold a level 3 child care qualification. The assistant holds a level 2 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 good. Children develop good hygiene practices through their daily routines. They wash their hands before eating, using paper towels and liquid soap. They are provided with tissues to wipe their nose and dispose of the tissues appropriately. They take part in activities which promote their awareness of healthy eating and they help themselves to drinks to prevent them getting thirsty. Children are provided with healthy snacks and parents are encouraged to provide nutritional packed lunches.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected through a very good health policy, which is effectively implemented. Children play in clean, well ventilated and heated premises. Very good nappy changing procedures are followed; the childminder wears gloves and cleans her hands with antibacterial wash. Babies and children sleep on individual bedding, to prevent cross contamination. The childminder has very good information on infectious diseases and a written sick child policy, which is shared with parents to protect children from illness. All necessary documentation is in place with regard to medication and accidents. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification and has a good supply of first aid equipment, both in the house and for outings. Parental consent is sought for emergency medical treatment or advice. However, one child is not covered by this.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to use the garden and regularly go on local outings. Children develop good coordination, as they climb, balance, bounce and slide. They develop good muscle skills as they throw and retrieve a ball. Children sleep and rest, according to their own individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe through thorough procedures and vigilant supervision. The childminders and their assistant are effectively deployed to ensure children remain safe at all times. For example, when children are using the climbing frame, one adult is always close by. The childminder has carried out a thorough risk assessment of her home and installed good equipment, where necessary. For example, stairgates prevent children accessing the kitchen, hallway or stairs without supervision. The garden is secure, sheds are kept locked and wood around the base of the aviary prevents children from sticking their fingers in. Sleeping children are extremely well monitored to ensure they remain safe. Older children develop an awareness of helping with their own safety when they practice the emergency evacuation procedures; these are in writing and displayed for regular reference. The fire blanket is appropriately wall

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

mounted, and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are in place. However, the first floor smoke detector is not checked regularly to ensure it remains in working order.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely access a wide range of developmentally appropriate resources. These are effectively stored so that children are able to make choices, while protecting the youngest children from small or dangerous items. For example, paper is stored on a low level so that all children may access it, while scissors are kept on a higher shelf. The garden is dedicated to the children, where they can also access a wide range of large and small equipment to promote their all-round development. Children sit at child size tables and chairs, and younger children

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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 have highchairs with straps to keep them safe. Children have good space to play in the dedicated playroom, with additional space provided in the lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder and her colleagues having recently attended child protection training and having a clear awareness of child protection issues. Current documentation is in place to provide further guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely confident to make their own suggestions, access resources and make choices. The exciting environment entices children to self select and become independent learners. They respond enthusiastically to the activities the childminder plans each day. Younger children benefit greatly from the childminder having attended training on the Birth to three matters framework. She ensures that all activities support the children in developing the breadth of their skills, knowledge and understanding, whatever their age or ability.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children can freely move inside and outside, which enables them to take resources into either area. Consequently, they concentrate on their chosen activity and are highly motivated to learn. Children listen to stories with enthusiasm, responding to questions and joining in with the familiar words. Whole group stories are enjoyed by all ages.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of highly stimulating planned activities: some of these are based around a theme. For example, when looking at 'Spring' the children planted sunflower seeds and have monitored their growth, and made Easter bonnets. Children's imagination is promoted through regularly engaging in role-play; they act out familiar situations. For example, two children took their dolls for a walk in the buggies and another changed their dolls nappy. Another child uses the telescope at the top of the climbing frame to look for pirates. Older children are beginning to recognise their own names, which is encouraged by the system for them to self register their attendance. Children of all ages and abilities enjoy the wide range of puzzles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have very frequent opportunities to take part in creative activities, for example, making pasta necklaces, pumpkin lamps, height charts and pizza faces. Children explore and experiment with the musical instruments and enjoy dancing to music, younger children learn how the instruments are used through watching the older children. For example, one toddler sees a child using a tambourine and copies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely settled, happy and confident in the childminder's home and relish their time with her. A very good settling-in policy ensures that each child and family are treated as individuals. An extensive behaviour management policy is shared with parents and effective strategies, such as using an egg timer to indicate when children need to tidy up, ensures children are aware of expectations and consequently they are extremely well behaved. They play exceptionally well together and build good relationships. All children help to tidy up and take care of the environment and they have their own boxes, which contain their personal belongings, so they know where to put them. Children celebrate each others birthdays and achievements, and a sunflower chart displays their comments about each other, which supports children in developing high self esteem. Individual programmes are followed in conjunction with parents,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to support children in successful potty training.

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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 Children develop a good awareness of people's differences through celebrating festivals, food tasting and playing with a range of resources, for example, dolls, small world people with disabilities and books. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure any identified developmental concerns are addressed and children with special educational needs are well supported. Good information is sought to ensure the childminder can meet children's individual needs; the provision is fully inclusive and successfully promotes equal opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent partnership with parents and carers. Parents receive comprehensive information on the policies and procedures, which are well documented and available daily. Parents are given the choice of how they would like to receive information about their child, either verbally and/or through a diary. A notice board at the entrance provides parents with information on the planned activities for the week and the snack for the day. A confidentiality policy and data protection policy is signed by the childminders and their assistant.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a qualified and experienced childminder, who is committed to attending relevant training and updating her knowledge. She has recently attended Birth to three matters training, behaviour management, first aid and child protection. The two childminders and their assistant work extremely effectively together to provide good quality care. Children's care and welfare is promoted through the good organisation of the child-centred premises and the effective deployment of the adults. The extensive, written policies and procedures are effectively implemented and regularly reviewed. However, the system for keeping records in the event of a complaint has not been updated in line with new procedures. Children's attendance is accurately recorded and appropriate ratios are maintained. Very good records are kept on the adults responsible for the children. All documentation is very well organised.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to maintain a written record of children's existing injuries, and too frequently check sleeping babies and children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since that inspection, the childminder has devised a clear system for recording any injuries a child arrives with, this helps to protect children's welfare. Sleeping babies and children are now closely monitored. The childminder uses both a baby monitor and a camera, as well as regularly going into the room to ensure that they sleep safely.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take 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): • ensure parental consent is sought for all children to receive emergency medical treatment • ensure the smoke detectors are regularly checked and maintained in working order • revise the system for keeping records in the event of a complaint, in line with the new procedures

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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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