Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346933 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2007 Inspection date Janet Butlin 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 lives with her husband and two young children in the village of Denbury, near to Newton Abbot in Devon. The house is in walking distance of schools and pre-schools. Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the property only and in the secure garden. The childminder was first registered in February 2007 to care for four children under eight years and there are currently two children enrolled in this age group. There are no family pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a very clean home. They are well protected in the event of having an accident or becoming unwell, as the childminder is qualified in first aid and has good systems in place to record any incidents or medication given. Children observe good hygiene by using wipes to clean their hands after using the lavatory, and this protects them from cross infection. Good procedures are followed when changing nappies and these are disposed of swiftly and hygienically.

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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 enjoy healthy snacks of fruit whilst at the childminder's. They remain well hydrated as they always have a drink easily to hand. Young babies have their formula milk prepared carefully and the childminder ensures that meals that are brought from home are stored and presented appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the health giving properties of fresh air and develop their large muscles by going on frequent walks. They also visit the beach often. They are protected from the harmful effects of the sun, as the childminder applies sun cream carefully and ensures that children do not go out in the strongest sunlight.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a welcoming and well set out environment. They have dedicated space to play on the ground floor of the house, and they access their toys and books easily and safely in this room. They choose from an extensive range of good quality toys, all of which are in extremely good condition. Children enjoy frequent playtimes in a secure and well maintained garden which is safely equipped for their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in the home as the premises are secure. The childminder has identified and addressed all hazards and has established an effective evacuation procedure. All fire safety equipment and systems are in place and are regularly checked. Children learn about road safety when they go on walks to the local school with childminder, as this is used as an opportunity for explanation and discussion.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further supported by the childminder's secure understanding of the child protection procedure. She has up to date, helpful information to refer to and is interested in undertaking further training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and show obvious affection for the childminder. They eagerly explore the toys and games and choose which activities they are going to pursue. They have their favourite toys and carefully explain to their playmates the rules of games. Young children become competent learners, as they carefully post shapes into the right compartments and work out what they have to do to make the musical box work. They become skilful communicators as they make the noises of the animals in the book they are sharing with the childminder. She repeats the noises and the names of the animals back to them, to reinforce their language and communication skills. The childminder recognises when these young children are becoming tired and follows their comfort routines to enable them to go peacefully to sleep. She is aware of the Birth to three matters framework, but does not yet use it to fully inform

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

her practice. Children enjoy regular trips and outings to places of interest, such as the beach, the library and local groups and this further extends their enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well behaved and respond to the childminder's calm and patient manner. They take turns good naturedly and cooperate well, when playing a competitive game. They say please and thank you, and take pride in collecting positive symbols on the reward chart.

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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 Children learn about the wider world as they play with toys and look at books depicting positive images of cultural and social diversity. The childminder uses these resources to initiate discussion and widen children's awareness of the world about them. Children who have specific needs, benefit from the childminder's good understanding of this area of care. Children's individual needs are ascertained at time of placement and are observed carefully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes. There are good systems to ensure continuity of care, such as countersigning records of events and providing consent for various activities and procedures. There are good systems in place to keep parents informed about regulatory procedures. A helpful daily diary provides additional, useful information for parents regarding children's activities during their time with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment, where all systems and facilities are in place to support good care. The childminder is patient and caring and provides a range of interesting and worthwhile activities for the children to enjoy. She makes good use of the local environment to provide interesting walks and outings. She also arranges her home, so that children have dedicated spaces to play freely. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place and is appropriately and securely stored. The childminder uses an effective system of self evaluation to identify areas to develop in order to enhance the experiences of the children in her care.

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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.

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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):

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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 • develop understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and use it to improve outcomes for children

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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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