Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336207 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Olwen Pulker 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 2006. She lives with her husband and her two adult children in a residential area near Wolverhampton. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an 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 and is currently minding four children under five all of whom attend part-time. The childminder walks to local schools and nursery to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children who have English as an additional language. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and comfortable home where they are protected from infection through the implementation of suitable hygiene procedures. As a result children are able to explore the environment safely. They are beginning to learn the importance of personal hygiene, for example, they routinely wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. The children are protected from infection because the childminder is conscientious about exclusion periods for children who have a contagious illness, cleans work surfaces with anti-bacterial spray and has a sound nappy changing procedure in place. Documentation is in place and maintained in good order in relation to recording children's medication. The childminder has a first aid qualification and consent for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice if required. Consequently, accidents can be dealt with effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthily from the food that parents provide for them. The childminder gives them the healthy options first and children enjoy a selection of sandwiches, yoghurt and fruit. Children are offered water or juice at regular intervals during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy being active and have frequent opportunities to develop their physical skills as they use the fixed equipment and run around in the play park. They take part in music and movement sessions and relish water play in the garden, using brushes to 'paint' the patio or making patterns with wet hand prints. Children have plenty of fresh air as they regularly walk to and from nursery and the duck pond.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move safely between the ground floor rooms for various play activities. They choose from an interesting selection of good quality toys and equipment, carefully monitored and supervised by the childminder to make sure that they are safe and appropriate for their ages and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's awareness of safety is developed through daily indoor and outdoor activities. They learn to cross roads safely when out and about and the childminder talks to them about the dangers associated with water when visiting the duck pond. Children are learning to tidy toys away after they finish playing with them and this helps prevent accidents indoors. There are good procedures in place for ensuring children remain safe and secure at all times in the setting. Children know what to do in the event of a fire as they practise the emergency evacuation procedure regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect. The childminder has attended training and shows a good understanding of the procedure to follow with any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure in the childminder's care. She interacts positively with the children in their daily routines and play giving consistent support; she aids early speech development through constant dialogue with the children. They recognise different colours

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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 and are fascinated by the rainbow effect on the carpet caused by light refraction through the porch door. They enjoy playing with small world figures and furniture, either carefully placing them on the carpet or sharing them with others who incorporate them in their play with toy trucks. They involve the childminder in their role play when they excitedly act out their experiences. A line of cushions on the floor becomes a train with a driver at the front with his passengers sitting behind him. The driver insists that the train has to go "faster and faster and faster" before falling over on his side when the train crashes. Children regularly attend local groups where they play with other children, learning to become more sociable. They have frequent opportunities to be physically active when visiting play parks and indoor playbarns

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and learn about the natural world as they feed the ducks at a nearby pond or go to see the animals at the garden centre and farm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They are comfortable and confident in the welcoming environment and make themselves at home. Their individual needs are catered for and they build a trusting relationship with the childminder, which fosters their sense of belonging. There are limited resources such as books and hand puppets to promote positive images of diversity and as yet the childminder has not introduced any activities to promote children's knowledge and understanding of different cultures and abilities. The childminder supports children who have English as an additional language and works closely in partnership with parents in order for children to make good progress in their language development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are learning to share toys and play well together. They learn good manners and respect for others as the childminder provides a good role model. Children understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age-appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship being fostered between their parents and the childminder. Verbal dialogue and written accounts ensures that information is exchanged daily to promote continuity of care and children's well-being. Parents are informed of the complaints procedure should they have any concerns about the service provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and confident to choose their own activities, they are effectively supported by the childminder who organises the play environment appropriately. They have good access to quieter activities, free play activities and outdoor play. Adult to child ratios are good ensuring that children spend individual time with the childminder to promote their learning and sense of belonging. Access to training materials is effective in ensuring that the childminder keeps up-to-date with current childcare issues and good practice guidelines. This allows children to be cared for in an environment which is interesting and stimulating.

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Organisation

Most documentation is maintained in good order to ensure the safe management of the setting and thereby promote the welfare of children. Information about children's care, including agreed contracts with parents, are in place so that both parties are clear about the service provided. However, the childminder does not promptly complete the attendance register as children arrive but enters the attendance times as children are collected at the end of the day.

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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 Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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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): • ensure that all children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources which promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice • maintain a daily record of attendance which is accurate and up to date.

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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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