Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349460 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Silvia Richardson 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 two and five years. They live in a house close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child age two years on a part-time basis. The family have no domestic pets but do keep fish in an enclosed indoor tank. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children relax and play in a clean and comfortable home, promoting their welfare. Children and adults remove outdoor shoes on entering the home, helping to maintain hygienically clean floor play areas. Suitable nappy changing arrangements and exclusion of sick children, are helping to minimise the risk of spread germs. Children are encouraged to wash their hands prior to eating snacks and meals, promoting good personal hygiene habits. Children are developing

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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 independence in the bathroom, because hand pump soap and paper towels are easily accessible to them. Detailed records are kept, supporting children's health and welfare in the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an active and healthy life-style, because they have some excellent opportunities to take part in physical play activities outside. Children are very happy playing in the garden because there are a wide range of different activities available. They enjoy climbing and sliding as well as water play and role play, making choices from an attractive range of resources. Children are well hydrated, because drinks are offered frequently and are readily available. Children are protected from the sun, because the childminder ensures they wear hats and barrier cream. Children are well nourished, enjoying plenty of salad vegetables and fresh fruit every day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and move around safely in the home and the garden because they are very well supervised. Some good measures are in place, helping children to stay safe, such as gates positioned across the bottom of the stairs and the kitchen area. Children are learning about how to stay safe, because the childminder talks to them about potential dangers and hazards. They are becoming aware of their environment and the importance of picking up toys and placing things carefully, in order to avoid tripping accidents. Children are learning how to stay safe when crossing roads, because the childminder talks with the children to develop their awareness. The childminder keeps children safe by making appropriate use of reins as necessary and making sure children hold hands.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe should evacuation of the premises be necessary, because the childminder has thought through and prepared an emergency escape plan. Fire safety precautions include a fire blanket easily accessible in the kitchen and working smoke alarms, so the childminder can respond quickly to keep children safe. Children are protected should safe guarding concerns arise, because the childminder has a good understanding of the issues and knows how to make a child protection referral if necessary. Some good records are kept, such as accident and incident details, keeping parents well informed. However, incidents are not followed up by using risk assessment, to consider prevention of a further occurrence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the home, because the childminder is attentive to children's all round needs. They enjoy consistent and familiar care routines, helping them to feel secure and promoting their well being. Children take part in a wide range of activities, in the home and garden and out in the community, helping them to develop skills and make good progress. Toys and play materials are very attractively set out, creating an interesting and stimulating environment. Children are enticed to explore and experiment using all their senses, such as smelling the lavender and feeling and talking about ice as part of their play and learning experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a good balance of play experiences, so that they have active play time, creative and role play opportunities, music and story times. Children's speech and language are developing well and they are able to express their ideas and preferences because the childminder engages in discussion with the children all the time. Children are confident and independent learners, because the childminder asks them open questions, helping them to think for

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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 themselves and work things out. Resources are easily accessible, so that children can select items of their own choosing. Children's play and learning is enhanced by the childminders active participation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure in the home and develop a real sense of belonging, because the childminder is successful in helping children to feel like one of the family. They are made very welcome and valued as individuals, so that they are relaxed and confident in the setting. Photographs and pictures are prominently displayed, helping children to feel good about themselves and their family links. Children each have their own place mat and use some of their own items from home, promoting a sense of identity. Toys and books reflect diversity and positive images of differences, so that children develop a positive self image. The childminder actively promotes inclusion, so that children of varying ages, engage purposefully in activities together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play happily together and co-operatively, because the childminder supports them well with sharing and turn taking. They are developing social skills and good manners, because the childminder provides gentle reminders and praises children frequently, reinforcing acceptable and desirable ways of behaving. Partnerships with parents are established well from the start of a placement because the childminder provides some excellent written information for parents, so that they are well informed about the child minding service. Agreements about care are in place, together with written parental consent for children to participate in wide range of activities. Excellent notes are kept of children's routines and progress, keeping parents well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Adult members of the household are properly vetted ensuring their suitability to be with children. The childminder is a qualified primary teacher and has completed a course of training pertaining to childminding, enhancing her practice. Children are benefiting from the childminders strong knowledge and understanding of how children learn. She organises her home and resources very effectively, creating interesting and stimulating play and learning experiences for children. Children are thriving in the setting, because the childminder organises a child centred routine that is well balanced and meets individual care needs. Detailed records and childminding policies and procedures are supporting good childminding practice. These are used effectively to communicate information to parents, so that they are well informed about childminding arrangements. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • carry out a risk assessment following an accident or incident, as a means of preventing further occurrence

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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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