Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276692 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Cynthia Walker 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband, two children, aged 13 years and four years, and an adult child in a town house in Nelson. The local shops and parks are within walking distance. The childminder uses the lounge dining room for childminding. Children use the first floor to access the toilet and a bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family pets include two cats. The childminder visits the local toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the local childminding network. The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding four children, of which one child attends full time and the others attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well nourished and enjoy a variety of nutritious meals and snacks which incorporate a range of fruit and vegetables. These are reflected in sample menus which are in the childminder's policy on food and drink. Children can access regular drinks throughout the day

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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 which includes the option of water. The children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and there are clear systems in place to record these. Children are developing emotional well-being through loving and caring relationships.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical exercise as they access the outdoor area throughout the day. The childminder extends this by taking children to a variety of groups and on visits to parks in the local area. Children balance well as they confidently bounce on a small trampoline. They competently climb the steps and go down the slide. There is a suitable range of resources to promote children's physical skills which include, wheeled toys, a trampoline, a slide, a playhouse and a variety of small equipment, such as bats and balls.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an understanding of personal hygiene as they wash their hands after going to the toilet and before their lunch. The childminder demonstrates that children are cared for appropriately if they have an accident or need medication, however, details are not recorded of incidents children arrive with from home. The childminder has clear written procedures to support children if they become ill. Children's needs for rest or sleep is discussed with the parents and sensitively implemented.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, safe and secure environment where risks have been identified and minimised, which enables children to move safely and independently within the home. Safety and activity checklists and regular monitoring visits from the childminding network reinforce the safety for children. A detailed safety policy is in place and children's understanding of fire safety is promoted by evacuation practises. The childminder helps children learn about keeping safe as she implements simple road safety whilst going on visits and gives clear explanations on how to climb the stairs within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is providing a welcome environment for the children with resources arranged around the room. Children access a wide range of resources which are appropriate for the ages and stages of the children being cared for and support their learning and development. Resources are accessibly arranged to encourage children to make independent choices about play. The childminder regularly rotates toys and resources to maintain the children's interest. The safety of resources is maintained by regular checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a suitable understanding of child protection procedures which are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. The childminder has attended recent training to maintain her understanding of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are interested in play and are actively involved in a good range of activities within the home and on visits to groups. Photographs highlight children's involvement in baking, play dough, sand and accessing swings and a climbing frame whilst on visits. A detailed policy on care, learning and play details the daily routine and lists the activities children are offered whilst in the care of the childminder, for example, painting, imaginative play and simple gardening. The childminder extends the children's learning experiences by taking them on visits to a wide

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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 range of parks in the local area where they can go for walks, dragon fly spotting and feed the ducks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing outdoors and become animated as they chase and catch bubbles the childminder blows for them, which they excitedly burst. They use good concentration as they participate in a matching game with the childminder and discuss the characters being found. The childminder actively praises the children and sensitively enables children to achieve. Children spend time arranging animals within construction and enjoy playing with a princess doll. They discover binoculars which they experiment with and use to look at other people present in the room, exclaiming, 'I can see you'. Children are confident in the environment and their responses from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works closely with parents to establish the children's routines and preferences which ensure children receive effective support throughout the day. Clear policies and procedures are available for parents which highlight the activities, menus and care their children will receive. The ongoing needs of children are shared informally at the end of the day and younger children receive a daily diary which includes the activities they have been involved in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing an understanding of diversity through a reasonable range of resources which include a doll, small world figures and books. This is supported with the participation in activity sessions at toddler group linked to other cultures, such as meeting visiting African children. Discussions with parents clearly identify the children's individual needs ensuring appropriate care can be given.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in response to the calm and consistent response from the childminder. They are developing positive relationships with each other and are confident in their environment. Children play co-operatively together, for example, in the garden and show concern for others as they find a favourite animal. Although the childminder has developed a written policy on behaviour management some of the strategies highlighted are not developmentally appropriate.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. A good range of documentation is used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children which includes a detailed professional file and clear policies and procedures. The quality of care is enhanced with the childminder's positive attitude to training to improve her knowledge and practice, her training needs are highlighted in a development plan with the local network. The childminder organises her home effectively which enables the children to extend their play and learning. Thoughtful management of time including visits to groups broadens the children's learning experience. Involvement with the local area network ensures the childminder's care is regularly monitored and reviewed to maintain the quality of care for children.

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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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was given two recommendations in relation to evacuation procedures and child protection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has developed a written evacuation procedure and has systems in place to record practises. She has attended safeguarding children training and has a suitable understanding of child protection procedures. The childminder is maintaining the safety of the children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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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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): • include information on incidents children arrive with from home within the accident records • review the policy on behaviour management to include strategies which are developmentally appropriate, and respect individual children's level of understanding and maturity.

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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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