Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY343812 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2007 Inspection date Julie Neal Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2006. She lives in Wellington with her husband and one-year-old son. She uses the ground floor of her home for childminding, as well as an upstairs bathroom. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for up to five children aged under eight years. There are currently eight children under eight years of age on roll, and the childminder also cares for older children. Overnight care is not provided. There is a pet cat.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from the risk of illness and cross infection by the childminder's sound routines that promote hygiene. Children are reminded to wash their hands appropriately, for instance before snacks, and the childminder ensures that liquid soap and paper towels are used, in order to prevent possible cross infection. The childminder is aware of the possible health risks presented by her pet cat and has appropriate routines in place to minimise these, for example cleaning the table with anti-bacterial spray before children eat. Documents that support

p.2

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 children's health and wellbeing are in place, such as records of any medicines given or of accidents to children, and the very clear sick children policy is shared with parents.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides suitably healthy snacks, including a variety of fruit. They are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids and the childminder ensures they have drinks easily accessible to them as they play. The childminder ensures she has good information regarding children's dietary needs and plans snacks and cookery activities to take account of these. For instance, using non-dairy ingredients where children have intolerance to cheese and milk.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the health benefits of fresh air and exercise. They make good use of local parks; they play in the childminder's garden using a variety of equipment such as trampolines, swings and slides that encourage them to stretch their muscles. The childminder promotes exercise in everyday routines by choosing to rarely use her car, therefore children walk to toddler groups, to and from school, and to most activities taking place within the local community.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where they can play safely, due to the childminder's good organisation. For example, children can move safely around the ground floor of the childminder's home, making the most of all areas as they play, because effective use of gates ensures they cannot gain unsupervised access to upstairs. Children use an extensive range of well cared for resources. These provide interest and stimulation for the wide age range of children for whom the childminder provides care. Good organisation of toys and equipment mean that children have very good access and can easily help themselves. The childminder is very aware of the possible hazards that some toys, enjoyed by older children, may present to very young children, and manages this well to ensure both freedom of choice and safety. For instance, explaining to children why certain games with small pieces are best

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

played at table rather than on the floor, and storing these where they are easily accessible but out of reach of the very young.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder makes excellent use of walks to teach children about personal safety. For example, children walking back from school are very careful as they walk along a road where there is no pavement, and they always cross the road at a particular place where they know they can see clearly in both directions. Children know the sound of the childminder's smoke alarm and what it means, although they do not practise her emergency evacuation procedures.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further supported by the childminder's extremely good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is very clear about her responsibilities to safeguard children and is knowledgeable regarding local procedures where she may have concerns regarding abuse or neglect. She has a very good written child protection policy, which she discusses with parents to ensure they understand her responsibilities towards the care of children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the good variety of activities provided by the childminder. These are age appropriate and children take an active part in planning what they do and choosing resources. For example, children have planned to decorate a large cardboard box using a variety of media and discuss this animatedly as they walk home from school. Children are confident and organise their own play very well, for example working together to build a den using lots of cushions.

p.3

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 They thoroughly enjoy playing hide and seek on the way home from school, making good use of the large tree trunks to hide behind while showing good understanding of the childminder's safety rules and never moving out of her sight. The childminder shows a good understanding of how children develop through play and she plans well to ensure that children have a breadth of experiences. For example, children enjoy frequent outings in the community, they attend local toddler groups, they make very good use of local facilities such as parks and playgrounds, they walk to the nearby river to feed the ducks and investigate wildlife.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and content because the childminder meets their individual needs well and so fosters their security and self esteem. They confidently move around the childminder's home, and have good relationships with her family. The childminder manages the balance of ages very well, ensuring that older children's independence is recognised while promoting an environment where children show care for each other and younger children benefit from the positive role models of their older friends. Clear ground rules are known to children, these are based on showing courtesy and respect to each other. The childminder promotes good behaviour very well, being calm and good humoured and making good, clear explanations to children regarding any changes to daily routines or planned activities. For instance, explaining that they will not go to the park after being collected from school because it is raining very hard and some children

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in an inclusive environment where their individual needs are met well. For example, the childminder works closely with parents of children from different cultures, or whose home language is not English, in order to provide care that is in keeping with any specific requirements. For instance, ensuring that she understands to what level children understand and use English and preparing to learn words of the home language if needed.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships the childminder develops with parents, which supports care that is consistent with home, for instance relating to diet, sleeping routines, and toilet training. Parents are provided with good information about the childminder's practice and the informative brochure contains information regarding the National Standards and key policies and procedures that support children's care. The childminder generally shares documents effectively with parents, although does not consistently ask them to provide written consent for some activities, for instance not all children have consent from parents in writing for emergency treatment to be sought if needed. The childminder has good settling in procedures in place that enable children and their parents to come for a series of visits together. This ensures that children are familiar with the childminder and her home and supports their

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. Space and resources are well organised and provide a variety of play opportunities for children. The childminder ensures that ratios are maintained. Records show when children are present, for instance the childminder notes times of arrival and departure in a diary, although the main register of attendance is not always updated each day. Regulatory documentation is in place, such as individual children's records, and a process to record accidents and any medicines given.

p.4

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 All children's records are shared appropriately with parents. The childminder has put most of the key policies and procedures that support her practice in writing, such as child protection, behaviour management, and arrangements for collection of children. Most are well written and support good practice, although there are inconsistencies. For example, some minor omissions in the complaints policy, and the procedure to follow if a child becomes lost while in her care lacks clarity. Some supporting documents, such as written consents from parents, are not in place for all children.

p.4

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 National Standards.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 that all documentation relating to the care and wellbeing of children is clear and consistently maintained, for example the register of attendance and some written procedures; and ensure supporting documents, such as consent forms, are in place for all children.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5