Bownes, Andrea

Inspection report for early years provision

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300313 Unique Reference Number 19 September 2007 Inspection date Yvonne Victoria Facey 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her family in Sheffield. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. This includes the kitchen, lounge with access upstairs to the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the house for outdoor play. The family have a dog. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for four children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is supported appropriately by the childminder who has suitable knowledge of appropriate health and hygiene procedures. Children are supported in self-care skills such as toileting and hand washing to ensure that they remain healthy and to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and a suitably stocked first aid box which ensures that she is able to respond appropriately in the event of an accident to a child. However, existing injuries are not recorded as result children’s medical needs are not

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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 fully safeguarded. A sick child policy is in place which provides parents with clear information regarding the childminder's responsibility to protect the health of all the children in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works well with parents to ensure that children's dietary needs are met. She provides nutritious home cooked meals such as casseroles, and cereal or toast for breakfast. Appropriate snacks are available for children including fruit, carrot sticks and red pepper which are set out when they come home from school. As a result children are beginning to understand that a healthy diet is good for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy many opportunities to develop their physical skills and enjoy fresh air. They visit the local parks and playgroup, where they play physical games and use large equipment. This successfully promotes children's physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder has assessed any potential risks to children and has taken action to minimise them, for example, by ensuring that household substances and items such as sharp knives, are kept out of children's reach. This ensures that children are able to move around the childminder's home safely. Children practise emergency evacuation procedures. This ensures that children know how to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire. They also have conversations about crossing the road and waiting for the green man before they cross. Children play with suitable and safe equipment. Resources are checked as they are put out for children, to ensure that they remain safe for use and are stored safely, within easy reach of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an adequate understanding to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. However, she has not familiarised herself with the new guidelines so that she is fully aware of all the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. This is because she provides a stimulating range of toys and activities that meet the developmental needs of the wide age range of children for whom she cares. The childminder has good relationships with the children and gets down to their level as she effectively supports their play and interacts with them. Children have many opportunities for expressing their creativity. For example painting and create collages from a range of materials. They enjoy visits and outings to places of interest such as the museum and nature walks to collect conkers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children establish secure relationships with the childminder, having fun and building on what they know. They demonstrate good self-esteem, as the childminder uses praise and encouragement for attempts and achievements. The childminder uses many opportunities to extend language and progress their play. She has a sound understanding of child development and knows the children's individual needs.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well in response to the consistent, positive methods that the childminder uses to promote appropriate behaviour. General house rules that children understand help with this approach, for example, no sliding on floor, use good manners and no running in the house.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are friendly. They are made welcome and are encouraged to share information about their child's needs. The childminder provides parents with feedback about their child's day through verbal discussion. All relevant consents and details from parents are obtained. This ensures that they are aware of the service that the childminder provides and ensures that children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. The childminder not aware of the current complaints regulations. As a result, parents are not suitably informed about the complaints procedure. This is a breach of regulation.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder's care because they receive sound levels of adult support and the environment is generally well-organised. Toys, resources and space are arranged where children are able to initiate their own play. The play space is suitable and allows children to play safely indoors and out. The childminder appropriately maintains and uses appropriate documentation to promote the welfare and care of the children. However, new regulation documents have not been obtained.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to review her medication and accident records and store documentation appropriately. She has addressed these recommendations appropriately. This contributes to the care and welfare of children attending the setting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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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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

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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 satisfactory. 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 existing injuries are recorded • revise the approach to child protection and bring in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and the 'National standards for under 8s day care and childminding Addendum', October 2005 • familiarise self with the procedures for managing complaints so that they are in line with the 'National standards for under 8s day care and childminding Addendum', October 2005.

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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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