Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344168 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2007 Inspection date Andrea, Marie Paulson 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 November 2006. She lives with her partner and son aged two years in Kendal. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, apart from her bedroom and the front garden. There is a garden to the rear of the property 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. There are currently four children attending varied sessions. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties. She has a professional childcare qualification and several years’ experience in a nursery setting. The childminder has done additional training and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for according to their individual needs within a flexible routine, for instance, with meals and sleeping. The childminder knows the children’s routines well and is ready to

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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 settle them for sleep when they are tired. Children learn about sound health and hygiene practices as part of the daily routine as they wash hands and have their nappy changed. The environment is kept very clean so further protecting children’s health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for physical exercise as they move freely within the indoor space available. Activities are set out mainly in the lounge with messy play activities accessible in the kitchen. Outdoors, they have a small play area and enjoy regular outings to the park, on picnics and local walks so that they develop movement skills well. Children practise their fine movement skills as they use jigsaws, handle mobiles and use crayons and craft materials.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder aims to provide nutritious foods so that the children learn about healthy eating as they enjoy snacks of various fruits. She encourages healthy appetites through close interaction with babies at mealtimes. Babies have fun when each spoonful of food eaten reveals more of the picture at the bottom of the bowl. Children learn to look after themselves as they are encouraged to have a drink when they are thirsty. The childminder works with the parents to ensure that each child’s dietary needs are met. Her attendance at a food safety course demonstrates her commitment to providing healthy meals and snacks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment which is clean, well maintained and comfortable. They are kept safe by the childminder using risk assessments with daily checks to monitor hazards and maintain high levels of safety for children. Children, therefore, play with confidence as they feel safe and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they practise the emergency evacuation procedure and learn to use equipment safely. Babies are secured into chairs during mealtimes. They are physically supported so that they can explore and handle mobiles without falling. Children are able to gain confidence and skills as they access appropriate good quality equipment. They benefit from the close supervision of the childminder, who offers support when needed. The childminder takes relevant individual information on outings so that children’s safety is continually promoted when away from home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good awareness of child protection issues through her experience of working in a nursery. She has adapted the policy to the childminding role, with the exception of not including contact with the Social Services Department as part of the written procedure. She is, though, well aware of this and her knowledge and skills further safeguard the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy close, affectionate interaction with the childminder and are settled, confident and relaxed. Their learning and play needs are developed well through the childminder’s good understanding of child development. She has devised a planning file to make sure that all children have an interesting range of activities. The childminder is skilful in providing for different ages as she gives older children more challenging activities when babies are asleep.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language skills are fostered particularly well through much conversation as they play. Babies are encouraged to respond by the interest shown and positive response of the childminder so that they are learning to express themselves. Children learn vocabulary through regular

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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 conversation and stories as they talk about the 'turtle' and the 'penguin'. Their enjoyment of books is promoted with an attractive display in the book corner. Children know how to handle books and recognise letters, for instance, in road names when out and about.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning is reinforced as they identify 'red' socks and 'orange' fish. Babies learn to make the sound of banging two blocks together and enjoy practising their new skill. Their sensory development is promoted well as they smell the flower, listen to music and the noise a pig makes and feel the soft wool of the sheep. Children are encouraged to be independent, for instance, in handling their own cup to have a drink and in choosing what to play with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the wider world through the childminder's positive attitude, although there are limited opportunities for practical experiences of different cultures, for instance, through dressing up or exploring foods. Children with learning difficulties and disabilities have particularly good support through the childminder’s experience, conscientiousness and skills. They learn about their own world through topics, such as 'People Who Help Us', as they talk about the day’s weather, and as they look at the window and observe the birds, cars and trees.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved as they respond well to consistent ground rules. They learn to say please and to share toys. Children learn that good behaviour is valued and rewarded with much praise so that they are learning right from wrong while also building up their confidence. They learn to consider others as toddlers play 'Row Your Boat' gently with babies and help with feeding and handing over appropriate toys. Children are well settled, happy and confident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and childminder share information about the children’s day verbally so that continuity of care is promoted through developing effective partnerships. The parent pack is particularly effective with good use of pictures, clear information and a comprehensive set of policies to inform parents. Daily diaries provide a good link between childminder and parents about activities and routines. The childminder has good knowledge of the children as individuals and is committed to working with parents to ensure their well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has very good knowledge of childcare issues and development through her professional training, several years of working in a nursery and attendance at additional training so that the children receive good, appropriate care. Children are well supervised and able to choose from the activities available so that they can actively take part in the provision. Activities are planned weekly and based on the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has good knowledge of children as individuals and actively promotes their development.

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Organisation

The records are thorough, well maintained, stored confidentially and up to date. Children’s individual details, parental consents and agreements are in place. The childminder has put much effort into developing policies and procedures that support the childcare provision and shares these with parents. Children, therefore, are very well cared for.

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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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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

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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 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): • update the child protection procedures to include contacting the Social Services Department • further enhance children's awareness of the wider world, for instance, through using resources that reflect different cultures in play activities.

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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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