Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY348828 Unique Reference Number 05 July 2007 Inspection date Sarah Fletcher Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2007. She lives with her two children aged five and 14 years in Shenley Brook End, close to Milton Keynes. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day, and one child over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has no pets.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines. They are beginning to learn and understand simple good health and hygiene practices, for example, washing their hands before eating, after using the toilet and when returning from school. The childminder uses separate towels for each child and for herself and ensures tissues are always readily available for runny noses. The childminder protects

p.2

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 from the spread of infection by following a clear verbal sickness policy and using anti-bacterial sprays or wipes to clean surfaces and changing mats. Nappy changing takes place in accordance with each individual child’s needs. The childminder uses disposable gloves or washes own hands after each nappy change and disposes of nappies appropriately.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents. She ensures she meets parents’ wishes and children’s preferences, together with any religious or dietary requirements to nourish children in her care. For example, children receive a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables during their freshly prepared meals and snacks, and receive warm snacks in cooler weather. Older children enjoy helping to make snacks and often share the preparation of pancakes, which are their current favourite, served with a variety of fresh fruits. Yogurt, vegetable sticks and milk shakes help to ensure children enjoy a variety of healthy snacks, with nutritious choices such as pasta, vegetables and salad, served with tuna, cheese or sausages, for their main meals.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children receive regular drinks of milk, water and natural juices throughout the day and on request, with older children also enjoying milk shakes made with ice cream. Children receive encouragement to develop their independence during meals and toddlers are learning to feed themselves, with help from the childminder when required. For example, when the childminder gives the toddler scrambled eggs with bread in her high chair, the childminder praises her when she copies the childminder by stirring the eggs to cool them. Children learn about healthy living through regular physical play and activity. They play in the garden on the swings and slide, take walks around the community to visit the parks or toddler groups and enjoy dancing to music, using the dance mat for fun and exercise. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and parents' wishes.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home, where they are free to choose toys, resources and equipment and move around freely. The childminder provides a secure and safe indoor and outside environment, which is clean and well maintained. She ensures children remain safe by keeping doors and windows secure and ensures only known adults collect children. Children use a developing range of suitable and safe equipment, toys and resources, which are easily accessible and carefully checked for wear and tear by the childminder. The childminder rotates her resources to support the needs of the children she cares for and meets their individual needs by finding out their preferences through discussion with both the children and their parents.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and equipment are appropriate for children’s age and stage, with young children prevented from accessing toys or other articles that may cause them harm.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and secure in the childminder’s care, as she reduces risks and hazards and minimises dangers within the home and outdoors. For example, the external doors have high locks, smoke detectors are in place and all dangerous liquids are stored out of children’s reach. Older children learn about fire safety and evacuating in case of a fire, because the childminder has a clear plan in place, which she shares with them and helps them to understand with regular practice. For example, when new children started recently the childminder held a practice to ensure the plan is suitable to evacuate the differing ages of children successfully. Children are learning to keep themselves safe and avoid accidental injury by following the childminders guidance on stranger danger and road safety through regular discussions and practical advice.

p.3

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 Children are protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She is able to demonstrate how she protects children by explaining the signs of abuse and neglect and how she would deal with any situations that may arise. She has good awareness of her responsibilities and knows the importance of recording information confidentiality and accurately. The childminder knows what to do if allegations of abuse are made against her or her family. Parents are aware of the childminder’s role and her responsibilities to protect children because this was discussed at induction and will be included in her written policy. They are aware she may have to report any concerns.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the childminder’s home enjoying the company of her own children, with all aspects of their care, learning and play benefiting from the high level of interaction from the childminder. The childminder finds out what children know and can do when they first attend by talking to parents and observing children when they are playing. Children settle into the childminder's care gradually, over a period of several days or weeks, ensuring they are confident in her care and parents start to build trusting relationships.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem through a developing range of activities and using appropriate resources, such as a variety of play equipment in the garden, and a range of art and craft materials for children to create their own ideas. Children learn increasing independence from the opportunities for messy play, together with exploring their imagination through dressing-up and role-play. Children's language development is progressing further through the childminder's use of open questioning and encouraging children to show interest and talk about what they see.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's receive good support from the childminder while they play with resources such as puzzles, games, books, educational and small world toys, together with outdoor equipment, suitable for their age and stage of development. Children begin to distinguish between right and wrong and how to respect each other as individuals. They have their needs met, because the childminder cares for children by providing individual and appropriate care. Children make positive relationships with adults and each other and behave generally well.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive appropriate support and care from the childminder, who works well with parents to ensure children feel a sense of belonging and are fully included in family life. For example, she is able to help the new parent of the toddler by taking the child to the doctors for an inoculation for a foreign trip, as the parent is unable to get away from work to make the appointment. Children are able to access a developing range of resources that help to promote a positive outlook of the wider world, although the choices are limited. Children learn about their local community through walking around the neighbourhood and visiting local groups, such as the library and toddler and activity groups.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children move about the home confidently, behave well and are beginning to know the boundaries and ground rules decided by the childminder. Older children are developing their understanding of self-control and the childminder encourages them to feel valued and respected

p.4

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 as individuals. She meets each child's individual needs and follows their own routine after careful discussion with the child's parents.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's continuity of care benefits from the developing two-way communication system between parents and the childminder, which enables her to meet children's needs successfully and to treat children equally. Parents are given appropriate information on the childminder’s care practices and written details to contact Ofsted in case of complaint; however the childminder's complaints record is not yet in place.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s welfare and well-being are high priority to the childminder. She ensures children have positive support and high levels of interaction by caring for them in small groups. Young children are beginning to feel at home and at ease within the family environment and play happily in the childminder's care. Older children's development through play benefits from the childminder's appropriate organisation of time, space and resources and enables them to feel confident to initiate their own play.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder is developing her policies and procedures to help promote good practice and to encourage children’s good health and continuity of care. Appropriate documentation is in place regarding children's details and records of attendance are accurate. Documentation is stored securely and shared with individual parents, although not all the required parental permissions are yet in writing.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 all required permissions from parents are recorded in children's individual files • develop a complaints record to share with parents and improve the range of resources that promote positive images of the wider world

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6