Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY229845 Unique Reference Number 10 August 2007 Inspection date Sjertsje Ebbers 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 2002. She lives with her husband and family close to the town centre of Mansfield Woodhouse. The ground floor only is used for childminding with all appropriate facilities in this area. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. It is a non smoking household. The childminder takes children to the local toddler group on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years. She supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home where they learn to follow simple good health and hygiene practices from an early age. Children know, for example, to wash their hands before meal times. Their health is promoted as the childminder obtains appropriate information

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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 from parents about individual children's health care needs, including consent to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. The childminder keeps written records of any accidents, which are countersigned by parents, and she is aware of the procedures to follow if administering medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy and nutritious diet. The childminder follows parents' wishes when providing meals and snacks, which take into account children's individual dietary needs and preferences. Children have access to drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated. However, children are not accessing their drinks whilst they play outside for longer periods of time. This means that the childminder does not always remind them to access their drinks. As a result they do not always reach appropriate levels of hydration. Children are able to rest or sleep according to their individual routines and are monitored well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They have access to a garden where they have many physical play opportunities and spend much of their time jumping on the trampoline. The childminder also takes children for walks to the park.

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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 safe and secure environment, where they can move around freely and independently under the childminder's close supervision. Children's safety is enhanced and the risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder moves around with the children to reduce possible risks. Fire safety precautions, such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms, are in place and the childminder has considered how she would escape in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a stimulating range of high quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. These are stored all around the ground floor giving children easy access to toys. Children are becoming increasingly independent and choose play materials and equipment themselves. The childminder cleans and checks toys and equipment regularly. Children are learning about how to keep themselves safe on outings as the childminder teaches them about road safety and they know to stay close.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from potential harm as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in safeguarding children. She has attended training and is aware of the procedures to follow should she ever have any concerns about the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled. They relate to the childminder and to each other with affection and respect. For example, they try to cheer a child up who is quiet by making silly noises and movements. Children's language and vocabulary is effectively encouraged through the good level of interaction. The childminder patiently listens and responds to their stories so they know their views are valued. Children confidently ask questions and use their initiative, for example, asking when they are eating or independently accessing other areas of the house to select toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the well-considered routine, which provides a balance of play at home, on outings and visits to local play groups. Children are making good progress but at times the childminder does not build on their interests to further extend their learning. This means that

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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 children's learning is not yet consistently consolidated and extended. Children have access to a broad range of toys and play activities that promote their all round development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing good levels of independence and are beginning to explore activities for themselves. They are able to select toys and equipment safely as they are stored at children's level and move around the rooms freely to choose from home play. They enjoy interacting together and like playing little games that they made up themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a good sense of belonging because the childminder knows them and their families well and ensures they are all valued and included. Children have built good relationships with the childminder who responds sensitively to them and respects their individual personalities. All children have equal access to toys and equipment that meet their individual needs so they can become confident and independent. The childminder has some resources reflecting diversity and discusses people's similarities and differences with children, to help them develop an understanding of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has considered how the environment and activities could be adapted to ensure inclusion. The childminder works closely with parents to provide individual care required to promote children's welfare and development. She is willing to work with other agencies to further increase her knowledge and would undertake further training to accommodate an individual child's needs and promote their welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about responsible behaviour as the childminder is a positive role model and has a good understanding of effective managing strategies depending on their stage of development. The childminder deals with behaviour in a calm and consistent manner and she encourages children to think about their own behaviour. Regular communication with parents enables any behavioural changes to be shared and ensures a consistent approach is maintained. There is a focus on positive behaviour as the childminder regularly praises the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are able to share all the childminder's written policies and information is provided to ensure children are looked after according to their parents' wishes. A positive relationship is built with parents from the beginning, as children spend time settling in with their parents. Information is shared verbally on a daily basis about children's meals and daily routines to ensure their changing needs are met and to provide continuity of care. The childminder has a sound knowledge on the complaints procedure.

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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, this is well organised to ensure children's details are kept confidential. A register is maintained, accurately

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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 showing children's actual hours of attendance and all the required documentation was available at the time of inspection.

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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 attended relevant training to support her registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given four recommendations. She was asked to complete the Introductory to Childminding course which she has since undertaken and completed. This ensures the childminder has a sound understanding of childminding. Second, she was asked to review hygiene practice with regards to preventing cross-infection. The children now know, for example, to wash their hands before dinner. However, the childminder is still currently reviewing her hygiene practice with regards to individual towels for children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A third recommendation was to provide a range of activities that promote positive images of culture, ethnicities and disabilities. The childminder has since put some resources and activities into place, such as Chinese New Year. This increases children's understanding of diversity through play. She was also asked to ensure written permission for emergency treatment is requested. The childminder now has all required permissions from parents in place to ensure children stay healthy and are kept safe.

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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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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 children are kept hydrated while playing outdoors • plan and provide play and learning activities to further help children develop their emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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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 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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