Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349218 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2007 Inspection date Jan Healy 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 registered in 2007. She lives in the town of Midsomer Norton, BANES, with her partner and one child aged 10 years. The whole of the house is available to use for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for two children under the age of eight years. The family have fish as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder promotes the children's good health, as she takes positive steps to prevent the spread of illness, as the parents are requested to keep the children at home if they are unwell. If a child becomes ill during their stay, they are separated from the other children and swiftly reunited with their parents, to protect the health of the other children in her care. The children are taught about how to keep themselves healthy, as the childminder explains the reasons why the children should wear a hat and sun cream during warm weather to protect

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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 their skin and to wear sun glasses to protect their eyes. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is confident to deal with an accident, should one occur. All accidents are recorded and are shared with the parents, so they are aware of any injury to their child. Written parental permission is sought for the seeking of emergency medical treatment and advice, to prevent the delay in the children receiving appropriate care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit, as the childminder holds a certificate in food hygiene, ensuring all foods are stored appropriately and the children's health is protected, as she is aware of the danger of 'high risk' foods, such as rice and is aware to thoroughly re-heat food if necessary. The children have the choice of providing their own food, or have the opportunity of eating a healthy, nutritious home cooked lunch. Mealtimes are a relaxed affair, which the children enjoy, whilst sat together at a dining room table, helping to aid their social skills and vocabulary. Any child who suffers with a food allergy or intolerance are protected, as written details are obtained from parents and menus are written for their particular diet. Fresh drinking water is readily available to prevent the children from becoming dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are safe and secure, preventing access to unwanted visitors. There is well organised space, where the children participate in a wide range of activities, including both floor play and table top toys. Rooms are clean, tidy and well maintained with the children's drawings and paintings displayed, making for a child friendly environment. The home is kept to a comfortable temperature, so the children play and rest in comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The activities available meet the needs of the children, as the childminder takes into consideration their age, what they like to do and the stage of development the children have reached, so they are presented with challenging activities that keep them amused and aid their learning. A booster seat and step enable the older children to make use of the bathroom without adult help, aiding their independence. A highchair is available for the younger children, so they are able to join the older children at the table during mealtimes, aiding their social skills and vocabulary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are safe whilst in the care of the childminder, as she takes appropriate precautions to eliminate hazards, for example, the electrical sockets are covered to help prevent injury and dangerous substances are kept out of the children's reach. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are tested regularly, so the childminder is informed of any impending danger, so she is able to protect the children from harm. The children practise an emergency evacuation procedure, so they are familiar about the routine to leave the house quickly in the event of a fire. The outdoor play area is fully enclosed and secure with the locking of a gate, so the children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has strong knowledge about child protection issues, as she keeps herself up to date with regard to any changes in legislation. She is aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is quickly able to identify a significant change in a child's behaviour or appearance, as she knows the children in her care very well. She is able to describe the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation of abuse being made about her, or about a member of her family, for their protection.

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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. The childminder is clear about how to promote the children's welfare, learning and development, therefore, she provides a broad range of activities that encourage the children to make full use of the opportunities available. The children are confident learners and enjoy putting on 'magic shows', for example, making a wand float in the air and pulling stuffed rabbits out of a hat, much to the excitement of the children in the group. They are learning to count, by the singing of a variety of counting songs and rhymes and are learning to recognise numerals by the playing of board games. They enjoy looking at the pictures in books and are taken to the local library where participate in story time and choose a selection of books which they take home. They enjoy make believe play, when they dress up in different costumes and pretend to be characters of their choice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides an environment that is free from discrimination, where the children are able to play happily and in contentment. They have the benefit of being able to access all the resources available, whether they are male or female and are encouraged to reach their potential. The childminder has effective knowledge about relevant legislation, to enable the children to learn about equality and justice. A broad range of resources aid the children to understand about similarities and differences and about how everyone is different, but all are just as important.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder understands that the children are most likely to have their needs met, when she requests information from the parents about each child's individual needs, therefore, she is then able to organise her environment to suit and to arrange a full range of activities, to ensure all the children are able to take part at a level that is appropriate to their needs. However, the children have little access to resources which display positive images of disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit, as the childminder adopts a consistent and positive approach to the management of the children's behaviour. Clear boundaries and house rules are in place, for the safety of the children, for instance, no running indoors. The children are taught social graces and to give consideration to how their behaviour has an effect on the other children in the group, which aids their personal and emotional development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The parents have the advantage of being presented with a full range of the childminder's policies and statements, so they are able to make an informed choice about whether the provision will suit the needs of their child. A settling in period is negotiated to ease the transition from home. The parents are kept informed about the progress the children are making or about any concern noted. They are made aware of the procedure to follow in the event of wishing to make a complaint, to prevent the delay in dealing with a concern.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is experienced at working with young children and holds a relevant qualification in childcare, so has accurate knowledge about child development and about how young children learn. The childminder is proactive in seeking training courses that further her understanding of the

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 National Standards and about any changes in current legislation. She retains an up to date attendance register, recording the times of the children's arrival and departure, so they are accounted for in an emergency. The children are supervised for their safety and are protected from adults who are not vetted for their protection. All regulatory documentation is maintained. All records are stored confidentially, to protect the children's personal details.

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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): • provide the children with resources that reflect positive images of disability

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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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