Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY290337 Unique Reference Number 21 September 2007 Inspection date Linda Cook 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 was registered in July 2004. She lives with her husband and their two children, aged seven and twelve years, in a three bed roomed house on an established residential estate in the rural village of Brompton, close to local amenities. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding with the exception of the dining room. There is a garden to the rear of the property for outdoor activities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years and two four year olds before and after school. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through the daily routines. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting, before eating and after

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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 messy play. Children are safeguarded from cross infection because the childminder has a sound knowledge of how to prevent the spread of infection and has a clear sick child policy, which parents are made aware of. However, children are not always provided with individual means of drying their hands and faces which does not fully protect their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a very wide range of physical activities, both indoors and outdoors, which contribute to their good health and physical development. They have regular access to the back garden and local play parks where they use a broad range of resources to develop their physical skills to a good level. They particularly enjoy their trips to feed the ducks. Children of all ages enjoy moving to music and completing exercise tapes whilst indoors. Babies have access to a clear space in the lounge, where they can learn to crawl and pull themselves up on furniture, as they develop their walking skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy and nutritious snacks and have regular drinks throughout the day. Interesting activities further promote the children's interest in healthy eating. For example, they bake on a regular basis and go shopping to buy food. The childminder takes account of parent's wishes and the children's preferences to ensure their individual dietary needs are met effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children independently select from a good range of toys and resources made available to them and rotated to maintain their interest. They are all clean, well maintained and cover all areas of learning. The childminder ensures they are stored appropriately to develop children's independence while ensuring young children can only access those resources which are appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming environment. The childminder is positive in her approach to ensure all reasonable safety measures are taken to prevent accidents, for example, restraints are always used when young children sit in booster chairs at the table. Children learn how to keep themselves safe both indoors and outdoors. They are taught how to cross roads safely on outings and they are made aware of what to do in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her duty to safeguard the welfare of the children in her care. She is aware of the different forms of abuse, but is less conversant with the referral process should she have concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house, they are happy, relaxed and confident in the regular routines. They learn to become increasingly independent as a result of the consistent support, praise and encouragement provided by the childminder. For example, very young children are encouraged to choose resources and activities which are readily available to them at their level. Older children confidently express their needs, deciding what they would like to do and what to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Very positive relationships are developed between the children and the childminder which contributes to their sense of belonging. The childminder demonstrates that she is skilful in meeting the varying needs of all the children she cares for. She adapts activities and resources

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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 to ensure all children are able to enjoy and take part regardless of their age and stage of development. Children benefit from the positive interaction as the childminder is actively involved in their play. The children also have regular opportunities to mix with their peers when the childminder takes them to a local toddler group each week.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a wide range of activities both planned and child led; which offer sufficient challenge are interesting and fun. They particularly enjoy craft activities and at the inspection visit the children enjoyed making collages with leaves and seasonal fruits. They played co-operatively together and used their imagination as they pretended to ring mummy and to read stories. This is supported by the childminder who extends children's learning through the use of sensitive questioning; encouraging children to extend their thinking and broaden their vocabulary. The childminder recognises the informal learning opportunities that are present in a childminding setting. The children count everyday objects and learn to recognise their colours and talk about the things they see. School age children choose what they want to do and can be active or rest according to their individual needs. They look forward to the planned activities

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to learn about cultural diversity through the satisfactory range of resources provided by the childminder. These include books and dressing-up clothes. They learn about their local community on their trips out and regular walks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are highly valued as individuals. They are very happy, settled and confident in their surroundings. They develop close and caring relationships with the childminder, constantly chatting to her. Children are well behaved. They play co-operatively together and are learning to share and to show respect for one another. This is encouraged by the childminder's positive approach to behaviour management and consistent boundaries. The children respond well to her clear guidance and praise and are developing good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are discussed in detail with parents before minding starts and are reflected in the daily routines. Contracts are completed with parents and a system is in place for these to be regularly reviewed. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's achievements; they receive daily feedback at delivery and collection each day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are at ease in the well organised environment and regular routines. This means they are confident to initiate their own play and learning and are able to develop their independence as they are able to access resources and attend to their personal care needs.

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Organisation

All requirements of the National Standards for documentation and record keeping are met effectively. These include accident and medication records, and a record of attendance. However, parents are not supplied with Ofsted's contact details. Documentation is very well organised to ensure it can be accessed easily in an emergency, while maintaining confidentiality. 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 last inspection the childminder was asked to improve nappy changing procedures, provide socket covers and remove air fresheners from low sockets. Also to obtain written parental consent for outings and to summon medical advice in an emergency.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has purchased a changing mat which can be wiped clean to protect children from cross infection. Socket covers have been provided and air fresheners moved to higher sockets, further minimising risks to children. The written consent of parents is requested for taking children on outings and to summon medical advice in and emergency, further safeguarding children's welfare.

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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 complaint 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 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 children are provided with individual means of drying their hands and faces • extend knowledge of child protection referral procedures • ensure parents are provided with Ofsted's contact details.

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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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