Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY266871 Unique Reference Number 05 September 2007 Inspection date Sonjia Nicholson 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 satisfactory. 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 10, five and 16 months in a house in Thame, Oxfordshire. Children have use of all rooms on the ground floor with sleeping and toileting facilities situated on the first floor. 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 four children under eight years, of whom no more than two may be under five years and of these only one may be under one year. There is currently one child on roll. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy some activities that support their good health, such as, playing in the garden with a range of equipment including ride on toys, tunnels, tents and a swing. Younger children have the opportunity to be outside in the fresh air as they travel in the buggy to and from school each day to collect older children. Children play on large equipment at various local

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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 parks and enjoy nature walks by the river. Babies who are not yet mobile enjoy sitting unaided on the mat in lounge; there is plenty of space for them to learn how to roll and crawl and the childminder has several walking toys available to aid their physical development as they begin to pull themselves up and walk.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play within a clean home; the childminder has a regular cleaning routine to maintain high standards, for example, she sweeps and mops the laminate floor so it is clean for children to sit and play on. Children have protection from cross-infection as the childminder follows an effective nappy changing routine. She uses a changing mat on the lounge floor which she wipes after each use and disposes of dirty nappies in the bin outside to prevent unpleasant odours. The childminder is mindful of washing her hands at the kitchen sink afterwards.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder does not hold an up to date first aid certificate but children have protection in the event of a minor accident as she has some knowledge of dealing with minor injuries gained from a previous course. There is a first aid box available but some items are out of date and the basic contents do not meet current guidelines. The childminder obtains parental permission to seek emergency treatment in the event of a more serious injury and also to administer medication and sun cream. She records details of accidents in a notebook and shares this with parents so they are aware of the treatment their child has received.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular drinks throughout the day; older children have water in lidded beakers and babies enjoy their bottles of formula milk which ensures they are not thirsty. Parents currently supply all food for their children but the childminder is happy to provide a packed lunch or cooked meal if asked. She follows parents’ guidance about serving food; for example, she gives babies their jars of food and bottles of milk at room temperature. Children sit together at the table in a booster seat or highchair and enjoy sociable mealtimes with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a spacious home where rooms are used appropriately to meet their needs, for example, they play in the lounge, eat their meals in the dining room and younger children sleep in a travel cot in the master bedroom. Children have easy access to the fully enclosed garden which has space for children to move and play freely on the lawn. There is a good range of age-appropriate toys stored in the lounge, making them easily accessible for the children to make independent choices, however the childminder sets out a variety of toys for babies who cannot self-select at this stage. The toys used by children are of good quality and are properly maintained. The childminder tidies toys away once the children go upstairs for their morning nap; she checks they are clean and safe and uses anti-bacterial wipes to clean toys that have been in children's mouths. The children have great fun exploring musical toys, rattles, dolls,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

pull-along toys and particularly like pressing the buttons on the musical telephone. The childminder has a suitable range of care equipment for younger children, including, a double buggy, highchair, travel cot, booster seat, changing mat and bouncy chair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children remain safe within the home as the childminder is aware of potential hazards and has put measures in place to minimise them, for example, there are child locks on the kitchen cupboard containing cleaning materials, buffers on the kitchen door to prevent children catching their fingers, and stair gates across the access to kitchen and at the top and bottom of stairs. As a precaution, fire safety equipment, such as, smoke alarms and a fire blanket are available. The childminder understands the need to help children leave the house safely in the event of

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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 an emergency but has not thought-out her evacuation plan to cover all areas of the home and scenarios, such as, if children are sleeping upstairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children's welfare as she has a satisfactory understanding of how to protect children. She recognises the signs of possible abuse and has systems in place to record her concerns. The childminder is clear about her role and responsibilities but does not have a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures document to refer to which has further guidance and contact numbers; parents are also not aware of her responsibility to protect children as they do not see this document.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children relate well to the childminder who sits on the floor at their level and enthusiastically joins in their play, for example, they play with the musical telephone and have great fun furiously pressing the buttons to make it work. The childminder is not familiar with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework but she ably encourages younger children’s development by showing them how to do things, for example, she sings ‘round and round the garden’ as she tickles their hands then encourages them to do the same to her; children also copy her when she claps her hands and taps her fingers on the tray of the highchair. Children are attentive to simple picture books; they sit on the floor together and cuddle up with the childminder who reads 'Let's make a noise' and 'Where's your smile?’. Children enjoy turning the pages and touching the different textures in the books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder constantly smiles, chats and sings nursery rhymes to the children who respond by gurgling and squealing with delight; they are clearly happy and settled in her care. Children go for walks to the park with the childminder but due to their age have few opportunities at present to visit toddler groups or local attractions to extend their experiences. The childminder is aware of children’s needs, for example, when they are hungry or need a nappy change and she responds promptly to ensure their comfort and care. The childminder is very aware of sharing her time between the minded children and her own children; she enjoys the time alone with the minded children to play with the stacking rings and musical donkey while her own child sleeps.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a few resources, including a book about world religions and male and female dolls to help them learn about diversity. The childminder is keen to celebrate festivals and events, such as, Mother’s Day and Chinese New Year but opportunities are limited at present due to the age of the children cared for. The childminder discusses children’s needs fully with their parents to ensure she offers correct levels of care, for example, how long they sleep and if they have a comforter, such as, a dummy. There are no children currently attending who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities but the childminder demonstrates an awareness of the issues to consider.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave appropriately for their age; they interact well together and play harmoniously along side one another with no squabbles. The childminder builds children’s self esteem as she gains eye contact and talks directly to them; she offers lots of cuddles and quickly praises them for their efforts, for example, when a younger child successfully puts a ring onto the stack. There are a number of strategies in place to deal with older children’s inappropriate behaviour.

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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 The childminder has good systems for developing partnerships with parents; she offers verbal feedback at handover time, which is usually on the school playground or occasionally at her home, to discuss the day’s events and care given. New children have several visits to the childminder’s home to help them settle and parent’s can view the childminder’s folder containing relevant information about her. The childminder does not share information about how to raise a complaint with parents and she is unfamiliar with the new regulation, however she does have a system in place to record any complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises the environment well, creating a welcoming family home for children where there is space for them to move and play freely both inside and outside. She incorporates children’s individual routines into the day so they eat, play and sleep at times that suit them. The childminder maintains all regulatory paperwork along with necessary parental consents to enable her to offer personal care to the children. She keeps her childminding file in the kitchen so it remains confidential but is within easy reach if needed. The childminder has copies of all relevant documents relating to her registration; however she has not read all of them which means she is not fully aware of the changes to some regulations. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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. 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 satisfactory. 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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children and ensure the contents of the first aid kit meets current guidelines • obtain a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, become familiar with the content and ensure this document is shared with parents

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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 • further develop evacuation procedures to ensure children can leave the home safely at all times • continue to introduce activities and resources that help children learn about the wider world.

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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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