Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY263984 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2007 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin 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 2003. She lives with her partner and son, in a house in North Swindon. It is within walking distance of shops, green areas and other local amenities. The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years, and currently cares for four children on a part time and full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Quality Assured Trio Childminding Network. She has recently completed her Extended Childminding Practice qualification and frequently attends training in the Early Years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play and rest in warm, clean premises where good standards of hygiene are maintained. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of the need to maintain a hygienic environment for the minded children, and has implemented cleaning rotas for both food storage and preparation areas, as well as toys and equipment. Children are encouraged to learn about hand washing routines, and hand drying arrangements prevent the spread of infection. Children are not, therefore, at risk from cross infection. Children's health is well protected by a childminder who has a fully stocked first aid kit, an up to date knowledge of first aid, and keeps accurate records of accidents and medication administered to the children in her care. The sickness policy is formally shared with parents in the 'Welcome pack', and this limits children's exposure to unnecessary illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Information is gained from parents regarding children's dietary meals and allergies. This information is recorded and any needs and preferences are catered for. Children bring their own meals to the childminder's home, and these are stored appropriately in the fridge to protect the children's health. The children have access to drinks at all times, and this means they have enough fluids throughout the day. The childminder promotes healthy eating with the children in her care, through offering them nutritious snacks, including fruit. She is aware of the need to provide children with a balance of food, and how this helps their concentration and energy. Children's dietary needs are well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children regularly engage in physical activity, both indoors and out. They often visit local parks where they have access to appropriate challenges on the large climbing equipment. They play games, including football and take part in daily walks part of the way to school. Indoors, children dance and have opportunities to visit soft play centres. Children's physical skills are suitably met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in bright and child friendly premises, where space has been well utilised to meet the needs of the children. A welcoming environment has been created by the childminder, with photographs of the children engaged in activities on display as well as their paintings. This helps the children develop a sense of belonging in the childminder's care. Children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment that is stimulating and promotes their development in all areas. These are stored in low level shelves which are accessible by the children. Children, therefore, make choices in their play and this helps promote their confidence and independence. The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues regarding the maintenance of toys. Hence, children play with toys that are safe, suitable and age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in safe premises free from risks, as the childminder has identified most risks in the home and implemented safety measures to reduce these effectively. For example, safety gates prevent access to the stairs, sockets are covered and the premises are all secure. Children, therefore, play in safety and precautions are in place to prevent accidents in the home. The fire evacuation plan is on display and the childminder now practises the evacuation plan regularly with the minded children. These drills are recorded, smoke alarms are tested and, hence, children's safety in the event of a fire is well monitored. She has also ensured her escape plan

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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 is effective according to the ages of the children cared for. On outings, children are encouraged to learn about road safety. Their safety is promoted as the childminder uses all appropriate safety equipment and has contact details readily available in case of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fairly well protected by a childminder who has a sound knowledge of child protection issues. However, she has not gained updated information on the procedures to follow in the event of concerns, which has the potential to not fully safeguard the children in her care. The childminder actively promotes the children's well-being through sharing her child protection duties with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's care. They happily explore the toys, and make connections, knowing if they push the caterpillar down, it will roll across the floor. They are proud of their achievements, wishing to share these with others and communicating their pleasure through laughing. The childminder interacts well with the minded children, supporting them well during their play. For example, when playing dough, one child says 'ball' and the childminder recognises this, repeats it and praises the child for this. Hence, she encourages their confidence to communicate, thus, she supports their language development well. The childminder gets down to the children's level, sitting with them on the floor while they solve puzzles, encouraging them to name the shapes they are putting in, and hiding the pieces to make a game and sustain the children's interests. Children are happy to engage in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the activities provided for them, for example, they eagerly sit up to the table to engage in play dough activities, with the childminder supporting younger children with the use of the rolling pin, explaining it is used to make it flat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans her weekly timetable of activities she provides for the children. They attend toddler group and music group weekly and engage in role play and art and craft activities. Children engage in cooking activities and gardening, and visit the library, local parks, and the forest, where they explore the environment to get muddy and dirty. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and links the activities the children participate in with the aspects of this. Some activities have been recorded with regard to the children's development in line with the framework, although this is not yet developed fully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who treats each child as an individual and respects them highly, thus promotes their self-esteem effectively. She adapts activities to the different age groups of the children she is caring for, to ensure all children are included and involved. She recognises children's needs, for example, when they are hungry and responds to these. Children have access to a variety of resources that promote positive images of diversity in their daily play, for example, books, play figures and posters. Hence, children gain an awareness of the wider world around them. The childminder is confident in addressing and supporting children with learning difficulties and in monitoring children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is extremely good. They relate well to one another and older children show respect for their peers, helping younger children with tasks. The childminder is a good role model to the children, being polite and respectful to them. She regularly offers them praise, helping them feel good about themselves and their achievements. The childminder has clear

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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 boundaries for the children in her care, with house rules displayed for the older children, that remind them what is expected of them, helping them take responsibility for their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership with parents as their routines are respected and care needs are discussed, and hence, the childminder is able to offer the children continuity of care. The childminder has daily exchanges of information with parents regarding children's routines, and the activities they have been involved in. Children take home drawings and paintings they have made whilst in her care to share with their parents. The childminder has a comprehensive 'Welcome pack' for parents. This includes detailed information regarding the policies and procedures she is required to follow as a registered childminder, hence, ensuring parents know the care their children will receive. There is a detailed complaints policy available to the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are care for by an experienced and well qualified childminder. She has attended vast amounts of additional training to support her professional development. This has led to improvements in her practice, hence, providing enhanced care and learning opportunities for the children. The childminder maintains the required adult to child ratio at all times, and this means children receive good adult support as the childminder spends quality time interacting and playing with the children in her care. Thus, children appear relaxed and at ease in the comfortable environment where they demonstrate secure bonds with the childminder.

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Organisation

All necessary consents have been gained from parents regarding their children participating in routines and activities with the childminder. This protects their well-being and ensures they are cared for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder implements her policies and procedures in a way that promotes the children's welfare, care and learning, although she has not updated her knowledge of child protection procedures. All required documentation is kept securely on the premises and is readily available for inspection.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve fire safety by the practising emergency evacuation procedure with minded children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now practises the evacuation plan regularly with the minded children. These drills are recorded, smoke alarms are tested and, hence, children's safety in the event of a fire is well monitored.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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. 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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Complaints 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

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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 information is gained regarding updated procedures to follow for child protection concerns

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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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