Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY219741 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2007 Inspection date Angela Hufton 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 registered in 2002, she lives with her husband and teenage son in a semi-detached house, in Nottinghamshire. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with sleeping facilities provided in this area. Toilet facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight and currently cares for four children under five and two children under eight, on a full and part-time basis. Currently, the childminder also cares for three children over eight. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends local childminding group meetings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well by the childminder who follows thorough daily health and hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children learn to wash their hands as part of the daily routine and understand that this stops them from coming into contact with germs so they stay healthy. Suitable systems are in place to record minor accidents 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 procedures are in place to gain written consent for any medication that is administered. Whilst these health records are mostly recorded appropriately and shared with parents, on occasion they are not sufficiently robust to fully ensure children's future health needs. Written parental consent is in place for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This ensures the welfare needs of the child are met at this time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children exercise daily and develop their physical skills by playing in the house and garden or visiting local parks where there is plenty of space to move around. They enjoy regular trips out and go for local walks so they can spend time in the fresh air and learn about nature, for example, as they pick pine cones. Children are very well nourished through a balanced diet of nutritious home-cooked meals and healthy snacks. They learn about the importance of healthy eating through well-planned topics and young children understand about vitamins. Children's individual dietary needs are catered for according to parents' wishes. All children have access to fresh drinking water and are offered regular drinks of milk or fruit juice so they do not become thirsty or dehydrated. They learn about making healthy choices through involvement in cooking activities or growing fruit and vegetables and particularly enjoy the opportunity to

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Helping children to be healthy

become involved with the development of an organic allotment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a very welcoming, child-focused environment. They can move around freely without risk of injury because the childminder organises the space well and has identified and minimised any potential hazards through regular risk assessments. Whilst smoke alarms are in place and checked this is not sufficiently frequent to ensure they are always in full working order to protect children in the event of a fire. A fire evacuation plan is in place and emergency exits have been identified, however, the plan has not been practised recently to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency. A fire blanket is in place to help children stay safe. Children are protected from leaving the premises unsupervised as the childminder is vigilant in ensuring her home is secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of toys and activities. These are stored in a range of containers that are within reach of the children so they can see what is available and make their own choices. Resources are organised to ensure children can only reach toys that are suitable for their age and stage of development and all toys are maintained in a good clean condition. Children are supervised whilst at home and when on outings at a level that is appropriate to their age and level of understanding. This ensures they are kept safe whilst exploring and developing their independence skills. Children are protected by the childminder's suitable knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have positive relationships with the childminder and with each other so they settle well and are confident in their play. All children have an excellent range of play opportunities that promotes their development in all areas. Children have opportunities to play freely and to join in focused activities, such as art and craft. They enjoy a variety of different creative and imaginative activities. For example, making complex models with building bricks or role modelling being at the hairdressers and doing each other's hair. Children are confident to play

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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 independently, alongside each other or work together. Children co-operate very well and enjoy playing games, a favourite being snakes and ladders or pretending they are doctors and nurses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of the areas of development and of planning for each child's progress. She is at an early stage of utilising resources such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework and linking the planning for each child's particular needs. For example, she has produced her own resource materials to help young children in their mathematical development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show curiosity and are interested in what they do. They receive good levels of individual support so they develop confidence and positive self-esteem while learning new skills. Their social and communication skills are promoted by the childminder who creates good opportunities for them to talk at meal times and while they are playing. They learn through their play because the childminder asks them questions that encourage them to think. They learn about the wider world through nature walks and through opportunities such as growing various plants from seeds or talking about the allotment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder works closely with their parents. Information is exchanged on a regular basis to ensure children receive continuity of care. The childminder has appropriate knowledge and understanding to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, for example, she has picked up some sign language to support inclusion. Children's parents are welcomed and all children benefit from the positive relationships between their parents and the childminder. This helps them to settle and to develop a sense of belonging. Children play with a satisfactory range of resources, including reading books, that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and begin to respect others by learning to share. Their behaviour is managed sensitively by the childminder who uses methods that are appropriate to each individual child. Children's behaviour is understood in context and the focus of the behaviour policy is on promoting good behaviour through lots of praise and encouragement. Through this approach, children develop confidence and positive self-esteem. Parents have access to the childminder's policies and procedures so they have relevant information about the care provided for their children and about the childminder's business practices.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised environment where available space is thoughtfully planned out for the maximum comfort and enjoyment of the children. The house is maintained to a good standard and is risk assessed so it is a safe and secure environment for children to play in. Children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of child development. This means she provides a good range of appropriate resources and children have activities and play opportunities planned for them that promote their overall development. The childminder is committed to building on her existing knowledge and experience through attendance at relevant training. Her good practice is reflected in the well-written policies and procedures that underpin her practice. Essential records are in place, are accurate and up to date. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder agreed to two recommendations to improve the care offered. These related to improving her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and extending the range of resources to promote children's awareness of the similarities and differences between others. The childminder has attended training looking at aspects of diversity and has also attended training around the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has begun to use the knowledge gained through this training to develop the range of activities offered to children. They now have access to a satisfactory range of resources to support their awareness of other cultures and young children are supported in their early learning, for example, through the effective use of laminated pictures to encourage number recognition and counting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted relating to National Standard 1: Suitable Person and National Standard 13: Child Protection. This related to the handling of behaviour. Ofsted carried out an announced visit and the childminder was found to meet these standards. However, the childminder was found not to meet the requirements relating to supervision and an action was raised in relation to National Standard 6: Safety. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure smoke alarms are maintained in working condition and practise the emergency escape plan • take positive steps to promote children's health through ensuring the accident and medication records contain full details.

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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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