Wilkinson, Julie Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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207681 Unique Reference Number 07 January 2008 Inspection date Janice Rizvi 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 1998. She lives with her family in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs child’s bedroom of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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. There are currently seven children on role aged between one and nine years who attend on a part time basis. The childminder uses her car to transport children to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a Dalmatian dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Young children are establishing good routines in respect of personal hygiene. They are cared for in a clean and orderly environment. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene and hand washing. Sick children are cared for sensitively and parents called if needed. Children with infectious illnesses are kept away from the other children where possible and excluded. This helps to protect others from the spread of infection. The childminder records any accidents and has maintained her first aid training. The first aid kit is ready to hand and fully maintained. The childminder has records available to obtain parents prior consent for medication. Parents consent to seek medical advice and treatment is partially in place and contains a comprehensive tick list of other activities. However, this is a little confusing as there is no mention of medical advice and consequently does not fully inform parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder discusses these with parents. Children are encouraged to eat healthy snacks, with fresh fruit and vegetables. Drinking water is readily available and pure fruit juices. Children are confident to request their choice of snacks and ask for drinks. They sit in comfort and are given time to complete their meal. Younger ones are encouraged to learn to eat and assisted as necessary, they are offered frequent drinks. This ensures their fluid levels are maintained and provides older children with opportunities to take some responsibility for their own needs. Children get plenty of fresh air and exercise as they go on frequent outings to local nature and adventure parks. They enjoy outdoor garden activities such as bats and balls and riding their tricycles. Children learn how to move with control and how exercise helps their bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children and parents enter into a welcoming environment where the childminder displays her relevant certificates, thus reassuring parents of her qualifications and experience. Children enjoy sufficient space in which to play and can freely move around between rooms and activities. Good provision is made for children to rest according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy using resources that are safe, in good order and suitable for the ability of the child using them. These resources are regularly checked for safety. All this helps in providing a safe environment for children. Overall, children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has a sound understanding of potential hazards and takes steps to address these. She ensures children are properly supervised at all times, both indoors and while on outings. Although the lap belt is used for young children sitting in the high chair, the more secure full five point harness is not consistently used. Therefore, there is a degree of risk in the event of children leaning over the side of the high chair while the provider’s attention is diverted elsewhere. She is aware that the large trampoline safety net is damaged and is in the process of replacing this and clearing the garden of discarded equipment. The childminder has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

therefore made the trampoline and certain areas of the garden out of bounds until this area is refurbished. The outside area is checked prior to use and any animal excrement is disposed of, or washed away. The premises are secure to ensure children are unable to leave unsupervised and any unknown persons cannot enter the house without being vetted. All vehicle documentation as required is in place and each child being transported has their own individual seat restraint and parental consent in place.

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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 Children are beginning to learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder talks about different dangers with them. For example, ‘Stranger danger’, they learn to stay within sight and hold hands, when out walking in local parks they learn that the berries are ‘for the birds to eat and not safe for us’. When crossing the roads, they look for the 'green man' and 'stop, look and listen'. Adequate fire detection and control equipment is readily available and children take part in regular fire practises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and her responsibilities in this area. She has devised a procedure which she shares with parents and has the latest guidelines to hand for reference.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy coming to the childminder's house. They enter with confidence and independently select their choice of activities from a broad range of equipment. Favourite activities for young children are playing with musical toys, dolls and exploring their environment. Children enjoy role play, drawing, craft and making full body prints. They learn about their identity; compare size and colour of their hair and naming of body parts. There is an interesting balance of equipment, allowing for learning, active play and relaxation. Children independently select their own choice of toys from the toys in the sitting room and low cupboards. Older school-age children have fun with various activities, such as craft and decorating their 'tee shirts', hand prints, gluing and making cards. They also have access to a computer for educational games. Weather permitting, children explore the natural world and have opportunity for more vigorous

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

exercise when they visit various parks and local adventure centres.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to talk about their day, ask questions and receive caring support. They play well and socialise together. The childminder keeps a daily diary for very young children and has photographs of activities for children to enjoy and discuss. These are also used to inform parents and discuss their individual child’s progress and future development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans young children's activities and routines. Children's activities are usually child-led. Younger children's needs are well met by the childminder. She encourages their communication skills by patiently listening and responding to their questions so they know their views are valued. She is alert to their need for consistency and believes in offering children a wide range of experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all families into the home. Children have many opportunities to talk about themselves, learning about each other, their individual needs and backgrounds. Each child is positively valued and respected by the childminder who uses her knowledge of each child to guide her care. Children have access to resources that reflect positive images so they are encouraged to respect differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder welcomes all children into her service and is happy to work with parents and other agencies in order to support children's learning. Children receive praise and encouragement for positive behaviour. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and sets consistent boundaries for them. For example, children are encouraged to share and take turns and older children are learning to take account of the needs of younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Partnership with parents and carers is positive. The childminder ensures parents are kept well informed of children's development through the good use of log books and verbal information. A detailed complaints policy and log is kept which is fully discussed with parents. However, although the contact number for the regulator has been updated, the address is incorrect. This is potentially misleading to parents. Overall, good information is exchanged with parents. The childminder uses this to ensure continuity of care is offered between home and the setting. Parents benefit from a comprehensive file of written policies and procedures, which are discussed at the start of the placement.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises the home to provide a stimulating and child-friendly environment in which children can take part in a range of activities to support their care, learning and play. Space and resources are well organised to provide children with a balance of interesting activities. Children's needs are met by a well-balanced adult to child ratios and children benefit from the individual care and attention given.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is positively promoted by the documented information kept. Overall this is well organised to ensure children's details are kept confidential. A register is maintained. This ensures the efficient management of the provision. All mandatory documentation is made available for inspection with some to be updated.

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Organisation

The childminder has a clear understanding of the National Standards which ensures children are sufficiently protected in her care. Appropriate checks have been carried out to ensure children are cared for by a suitably vetted person and children are never left alone with any person not vetted. The childminder has maintained her first aid training to support her registration. 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 last inspection the childminder was asked to; improve outcomes for children by using an approach in line with ‘Birth to three matters’ and the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder uses her own methods to provide a broad range of activities and equipment to progress children's development as evidenced in the body of this report. She has also produced photographic evidence to demonstrate how children enjoy their learning. The programme and routines provide a balance of activities consistently throughout the various seasons of the year. The childminder's attention to the above issues have improved the quality of care and outcomes for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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): • continue to minimize hazards to children by improving children's safety when using the high chair • reiview the emergency consent procedure to ensure it is fully informative to obtain the necessary consent • review the complaints procedure; with reference to updating the regulator’s address.

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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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