Olympus

Inspection report for early years provision

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149445 Unique Reference Number 29 October 2007 Inspection date Susan Parker 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?

This childminder has been registered since 1993. She is registered to provide care for six children under eight years, of these, not more than three maybe under five years, and of these, not more than one maybe under one year. The childminder is currently caring for eleven children, under eight years of age, on a part-

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and twin daughters aged eighteen years. They live in Baldock, Hertfordshire. The downstairs of the home is used for childminding; the home is within walking distance to the local shops, school and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog, kept separate from the children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the NCMA Childminding Association. She attends a local childminding group regularly.

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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 encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after touching the dog or messy activities. The children's dietary needs are met as the childminder and parents work together to provide healthy meals. The childminder also discusses and records any individual requirements with parents and keeps a record of these, ensuring that any special diets are observed. Children are offered a suitable range of healthy snacks. These include a choice of fresh fruit which helps to promote their growth and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to a secure garden. They have regular physical exercise as the childminder walks to local schools and nurseries as well as local shops.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children visit local playgrounds regularly to experience using large physical play equipment. Therefore they have regular opportunities to develop their skills and explore a wide range of physical movements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is well promoted as the childminder has an awareness of possible risks and takes steps to minimise these. For example, she uses a lock on the front door which prevents the children from exiting the home unsupervised. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder discusses and practises fire safety and evacuation procedures with them. Children are also learning about road safety as they walk to and from schools, groups and local parks. This ensures that any risks, indoors or outside, are identified and dealt with effectively by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of clean and well-maintained equipment. Children have access to a good selection of safe toys and equipment which are checked regularly to ensure their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and has the required contact telephone numbers and documentation in place. She will be extending her knowledge in this area by attending further training on child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled within the home, where they are given a choice of fun and developmentally appropriate toys and activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They communicate well with each other and the childminder. They are confident in asking for help when needed. Children are offered a variety of activities which help promote their development. Equipment suitable for children of all ages is available for the children to choose, however, children cannot always access toys and equipment unaided. This does not effectively promote the development of their independence.

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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 are happy and relate well to the other children. The childminder encourages and builds on children's confidence and vocabulary through praise and recognition of achievements. They have regular visits to social groups and play areas which ensure that their social skills and knowledge of the world around them is developing positively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals and the childminder ensures that she is aware of their individual needs and backgrounds. All children are given equal access in all aspects of the childminding including play activities and outings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are a good selection of written policies and procedures in place which underpins the good care provided for the children. The children's behaviour is good. They are praised for kind deeds, achievements and good behaviour. The childminder sets consistent boundaries so that the children know what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's awareness of society and other cultures is well promoted. Children attending from different backgrounds mix socially with other children on a regular basis. This promotes their understanding of each others' similarities and differences. They also have access to a good range of toys and play resources, such as dolls, figures and books, which depict positive images of people and cultures. Children are encouraged, by the childminder, to show respect for each other and people and pets around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. The children's individual needs are confidentially documented and met. The childminder ensures that information on meals, sleep patterns, toileting and activities are effectively shared with parents and carers each day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The organisation of the childcare is good. The childminder has completed relevant training courses which enables her to provide well-balanced activities for the children in her care. She is actively seeking further training courses in order to develop her knowledge and extend the good care she provides for children. She efficiently organises her time, resources and equipment which enables children to have regular access to suitable activities. The individual needs of children are met as the childminder ensures that all necessary information about the children is recorded and shared confidentially. The children's overall welfare is promoted as the majority of all required documentation is in place.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of her role regarding the National Standards and associated regulations. She has ensured that she has provided and shared policies and procedures in place which underpin the good organisation of her childminding.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has implemented an effective collection of children's policies to promote their safety. She has also made a complaints procedure available to parents

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Improvements 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 if required. Any complaints will be logged and addressed effectively. This will ensure that children are safe in her care

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 certain 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 further equipment and activities are in place to promote children's independence.

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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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