Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY221635 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Sandra Laura Bates 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 2002. She is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding one child who attends on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her own three children, of whom two are aged under eight, in an end of terrace house on a residential estate which is within walking distance of all local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The minding is confined the ground floor rooms of the house where there are also washing and toileting facilities. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play and the childminder makes regular use of other play venues and places of interest.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted due to the childminder's attention to such things as general household hygiene as well as by the provision of items such as individual hand towels for

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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 children that are changed daily. Children learn to manage their own personal hygiene needs as the childminder encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet, for example, and explains why this is important. She supports parents to help them potty train their children by using consistent practices with good effect in her setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children sit at the table to eat the foods and drinks provided by their parents. The childminder is clear about the benefits of regular routines at meal times. Children also enjoy additional healthy snacks provided by the childminder such as fresh fruit, which is always available, and water or juice to drink. Snack times are a sociable affair as the childminder talks to the children about their evident enjoyment of an apple for instance. The childminder ensures that children take regular drinks so that they do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay safe and secure in the setting due to the childminder's careful attention to the provision of suitable equipment such as safety gates, socket covers and child proof locks on all vulnerable doors and cupboards. There is a procedure for the safe evacuation of the premises in the event of an emergency. This ensures that risks to children are reduced.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are warm and welcoming. Children use ground floor rooms that are decorated with examples of children's art work. Sleeping children rest in a travel cot which is also accommodated on the ground floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use resources that are maintained in clean and serviceable condition. These are stored in colourful plastic topic boxes or are placed around the room so that children may access them easily. The childminder checks the play materials regularly to ensure that items are grouped appropriately and are not damaged or dirty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted due to the childminder's sound understanding of her role in respect of child protection. She knows the steps to take if she has any concerns about a child's welfare, but lacks clarity about the areas of abuse and the current Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well and are very much at home in the childminder's company. They play contentedly and involve the adults present in their activities, for example sharing the play dough. The childminder responds to the children's changing preferences and inter-acts in a very positive and encouraging way which helps children to learn. For instance, when children choose to role play making a cup of tea for the adults present, the childminder tells them it may be too hot to drink, relating this to actual occasions when children have asked to taste a real cup of tea.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular outdoor play both at the setting and at local play areas and places of interest. Children talk about feeding the ducks and the horses nearby. The childminder utilises the changing weather conditions to interest children such as going outside after a rain storm to splash in the puddles.

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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 Children proudly point out their own art work and achievement certificates that are prominently displayed. The childminder actively promotes children's sense of self worth by showing her appreciation of their achievements with praise and positive reinforcement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that there is consistency of care for all children according to their individual needs. She provides a range of resources and activities that help to develop children's understanding of equality and social diversity although not all aspects of this are always in evidence. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are well supported. The childminder has experience and confidence in her capabilities, and works with parents and any other professionals to provide the best care for each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They respond in a positive way to the childminder who explains to children why some behaviours are unacceptable. For example, she tells a child who stands on a chair that she might hurt herself if she falls. The childminder displays a short list of simple house rules that are based on helping and respecting each other which children, who are old enough to understand, are encouraged to observe. Lots of positive reinforcement and praise from the childminder helps to promote children's acceptable behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive regular verbal feedback about how their children spend their time. The childminder offers a daily diary for very young babies to include such things as feeds and nappy changes. She ensures that there is a balance between giving parents the time they need to be clear about their children's care while protecting her own personal time. The childminder clearly understands the requirement to keep a record of any complaints made by parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is well organised. She arranges the premises to provide a comfortable child orientated environment for children. Records and supporting documentation are efficiently maintained and easily accessible for inspection. They are stored in such a way as to ensure the confidentiality of individual children's personal details. The childminder is committed to improving her practice and refreshing her qualifications through ongoing training. She is proactive in accessing information and training about forthcoming changes to the regulatory framework.

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Organisation

All the regulatory documentation, including records and permissions, are in place and appropriately maintained, however, there are no supporting policies to underpin the service and provide more comprehensive information for parents.

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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 provider was asked to ensure that the premises were secure and any potential hazards made safe. There were no issues in relation to safety or security raised at this inspection. The provider was also asked to comply with local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. Since that time, such committees have been replaced with Local Safeguarding

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Improvements 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 Children Boards. The provider does not yet have up to date details of this organisation's procedures and a recommendation to this effect has been raised at this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1 April 2004 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): • up date knowledge in line with current Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, and aim to enhance understanding of child protection in general through further training • ensure that a varied range of resources that reflect all aspects of equality and avoid gender stereotyping are set out on a daily basis • consider developing a portfolio of policy statements to underpin knowledge and understanding and provide more comprehensive information for parents

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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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