Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349028 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2007 Inspection date Deborah Jane Starr 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and seven years in Portishead, North Somerset. The whole of the house is registered for childminding, except for the garden. The family have a pet hamster.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently caring for seven children under eight years and five children over eight years. Children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder's husband may act as her assistant at times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She takes children to local parks and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted though well-established routines. Policies, such as the exclusion of children when unwell prevent the spread of illness. Procedures, such as thorough

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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 nappy changing and frequent cleaning of toys safeguard children from the risk of cross infection. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and provides appropriate care if a child has an accident. Systems in place and understanding of procedures for the recording of accidents and the administering of medication are appropriate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a varied range of activities that contribute to their physical health and development. Regular access to outside play space at the front of the house and visits to local parks and lake grounds provide opportunities for children to develop control and co-ordination of their bodies. Climbing frames for varying abilities, a see-saw, sit and ride toys, scooters and skipping ropes promote children's balance and co-ordination. Children develop batting, throwing and kicking skills using a variety of balls and bats and when playing group games ,such as cricket, badminton and football. Daily walks to school and around the local area provide plenty of fresh air. Children are able to sleep comfortably in cots according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and taken account of. Children develop a good understanding of a healthy well-balanced diet through discussion while helping to prepare snacks of fresh and dried fruit. They enjoy light meals, such as sandwiches at lunch time accompanied with a range of salad. Home prepared evening meals include a variety of fresh vegetables. Cookery activities focussed on healthy choices promote children's understanding further. Children drink water and squash throughout the day from individual, easily accessible cups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home effectively to accommodate a varied range of play activities to meet the individual needs of a wide age range of children in her care. Her use of space ensures children move independently around the well-maintained home where most hazards are identified, minimised and checked, such as plug sockets, stair gates, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. However, children's safety is compromised as the front door is not secure and un-vetted persons and potentially children are able to enter and leave the premises freely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with and use a varied range of quality toys and equipment that are regularly checked, age-appropriate and meets their developmental needs. Children's understanding of their own personal safety is promoted within the home. For example, children know the procedures for evacuating the premises, are guided to sit safely on chairs and pass objects safely to each other, such as a play screwdriver. Young children are strapped securely into a buggy, hold the childminder's hands when walking and wear reins when appropriate. Children develop an understanding of road safety when walking to school or local activities. Young children play within close proximity to the childminder in the park, whilst older children play within agreed boundaries and within sight. Discussion about 'stranger, danger' promotes children's understanding further.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all policies and procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and protected; this includes procedures for the collection of children by authorised persons and a lost and uncollected child policy. The childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues and knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities and local reporting procedures protects children from harm. Parents are informed of her responsibilities through discussion and a written statement.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive happily and settle quickly. They initially select from favourite toys and games set out for them and engage co-operatively in their own play, such as making dens. The positive relationship between the childminder and children promotes their self-confidence and enables them to try out new experiences. Pre-school children eagerly participate in a prepared activity in which the childminder encourages them to develop their own thoughts and ideas through appropriate open-ended questioning and the introduction of unfamiliar vocabulary. Children feel the texture of egg shells, talk about how eggs and seeds grow and make a grass egg head. The childminder knows the children and uses her secure knowledge and understanding of child development to ensure that toys and activities that particularly interest children are easily accessible and stimulate them. The childminder, however, does not regularly consider what she

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

knows about the children to offer activities that promote the next steps in their development. An unhurried approach allows children time to play with resources for as long as they choose, for instance when playing with small world figures. Children are encouraged to take turns and they play co-operatively with each other, sharing play tools when jointly constructing a model scooter and playing table top games. Children are relaxed with the childminder, asking questions and talking about what they are doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Regular visits to local childminder activity mornings and visits to local shops and amenities help children develop their social skills and develop a sense of their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are clearly identified and met. This is achieved through regular discussion with parents to ensure consistency of approach, the adaptation of activities that enables all children to be involved and the inclusion of significant words; to use with children for whom English is an additional language. Effective settling-in procedures, comforters from home and a flexible approach to each child's care consistent with routines at home supports children's well-being and promotes their sense of security and belonging. Children are proud of their achievements, and happily share responsibilities, such as sharing out snacks. Resources, such as books, dolls and small world figures, reflect positive images of diversity. Activities, such as wearing a blindfold to promote an awareness of lack of sight and use of skin tone crayons alongside social experiences promote a positive attitude towards difference and help develop

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder effectively balances the individual needs of the children in her care. Her calm, clear, consistent and respectful approach to children and use of age and developmentally appropriate strategies, helps children understand what is expected of them and develop effective negotiation skills. The childminder's role modelling of acceptable behaviour and frequent use of praise and encouragement effectively builds children's self-esteem and promotes their sense of well-being. Children's behaviour is very good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship between parents and the childminder. Parents are well-informed of the childminder's polices and procedures and their children's daily experiences through a prospectus including written policy statements, a daily diary and frequent discussion. Parents are well informed about procedures should they wish to make a complaint.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder creates a homely and welcoming atmosphere in which children are relaxed and at ease. The play areas give children space to move independently and freely. Table tops and floor space ensures children of a wide age range participate in a varying range of activities according to their interests. Children sit comfortably on sofas, and access toys and self select from regularly rotated organised storage boxes, some low-level surfaces and toys set out prior to their arrival. A flexible approach to the day ensures children's individual needs are met; for example, they sleep during the day and the collection of children from school. Forward planning ensures children's individual needs are met in the event of an emergency by the identification of an alternative childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding overall of the National Standards, as reflected in most of her policies and procedures. All documentation is appropriate, accurate, well organised, clearly displayed and maintained confidentially.

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Organisation

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.

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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): • ensure the premises are secure • further develop the planning of activities that promote the next steps in children's development by using the Birth to three matters framework.

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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 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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