Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262759 Unique Reference Number 30 July 2007 Inspection date Kim Wailling 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 12 years in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house area is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear 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 and four children over five on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends local pre-school groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently supports children who hold English as an additional language.

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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's health and nutritional needs are comprehensively met. The childminder takes good steps to promote children's health and well-being. For example, children are offered a range of fruit and vegetables for snack. They can independently access their own cup or beaker which means that drinks are available at all times so that children can quench immediate thirst. Children are introduced and reminded of the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle. For example, the childminder plans activities, such as encouraging older children to design menus which increases their knowledge of nutrition. Younger children's food preferences are known and home routines are followed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to develop personal independence skills as the childminder provides good guidance and support. For example, children are sensitively reminded to follow routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children's nappies are frequently changed and all soiled materials disposed of immediately. Discussions with parents take place before childminding starts about when it is appropriate to exclude children who are ill or infectious. Children's health, if they have an accident, is satisfactorily safeguarded. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and all accidents and administered treatments are clearly recorded. There are two well stocked first aid kits to deal with any minor injuries to children, one exclusively used for outings. However, there is no procedure to ensure that the contents are replenished on a regular basis. This, potentially, limits their effectiveness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a very wide range of activities that develop their physical skills. The childminder's garden has been designed to facilitate children's play and can be used throughout the year. Children can access a wider range of age-appropriate outdoor toys, such as push and pull toys. In addition, a range of indoor resources, such as art and craft tools, develop coordination skills. Daily walks are taken, which are supplemented by visits to parks. This means that children's physical fitness is promoted in an enjoyable way. Children can rest and sleep according to their needs. The childminder is highly responsive to children's need for rest. She organises the daily routine to offer children quiet activities, such as opportunities for younger children to snuggle down to share stories. As a result, children are well rested and content throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for and flourish in a safe child-friendly environment which fully promotes their development. The ground floor rooms of the childminder's house are organised specifically for childminding purposes. The well-maintained family garden includes shady areas for children to use in the summer months. Children use a good range of equipment, including everyday household items, such as child-size tables and chairs, which are of good quality, safe and clean. They have access to a wide range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate resources and toys that stimulate their interests and learning. For younger children there is a good balance of manufactured and homemade toys and resources, such as dressing up clothes. In addition, there is a varied collection of resources and activities for older children, such as board games, art and craft materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to select toys independently as the childminder has efficiently organised her home to facilitate this. Risk of accidental injury to children is minimised as the childminder is

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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 vigilant. Procedures to ensure children's safety whilst on outings are very good. For example, children wear high visibly jackets and the childminder carries with her a small photograph album containing a photograph of her and photographs of minded children annotated with emergency contact details. Children's safety when travelling in the childminder's car is given good attention. Children are helped to gain an understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, children practise emergency evacuation procedures and road safety is discussed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully protected. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She has updated all relevant policies and has attended appropriate training to build on her understanding of child protection issues. Features, such as emergency cover arrangements, which are agreed with the children's parents, further enhance children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, achieve well and enjoy what they do. There is an interesting range of toys for them to use which are regularly rotated to stimulate interest. Children can freely access favourite toys and play contentedly. The childminder is very attentive and children readily include her in their play. She is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and incorporates many of its aspects into her care. For example, children's early language skills are encouraged as the childminder uses every opportunity to talk and listen to the children. The weekly routine includes visits to local toddler groups, outings to playgrounds and parks which further extends younger children's development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children's learning needs are also well met. Weekly themes are planned and projects such as making bird feeders are undertaken which reinforces children's learning in an enjoyable way. Drawing and activity sheets are kept in attractive portfolios which successfully record children's achievements and progress. These are presented to children when they leave the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are helped to form positive relationships and gain an understanding of right and wrong. The childminder is warm and caring towards the children who respond to her attentiveness. The childminder's children are also kind and considerate to minded children and happily join in with their play. Consequently, children are settled, comfortable, become confident and make good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well supported in the transition between home and the childminder and settle quickly into the childminder's care. Children behave well and play happily together as social skills, such as sharing, are encouraged. The childminder is aware of children's differing needs and takes positive steps to ensure that children's individual needs are fully met. For example, the childminder liaises closely with parents and carers if children require extra support. Children's awareness of the wider community is fostered. For example, there are resources such as story books and dolls with different skin tones, which promote an awareness of cultural diversity. In addition, younger children attend a local childminder 'pop in' group which helps them form new friendships and enjoy the company of others.

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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 Children's care is enhanced as the childminder has a good relationship with parents and carers. Information about the services that the childminder offers is discussed with parents and carers before childminding starts. This includes explaining how complaints are investigated and the outcomes recorded. The childminder talks to parents and carers about events in their children's day and keeps a daily care diary for younger children. Children's achievements and progress are systematically shared with their parents and carers. This means that parents and carers are fully informed to play an active part in their children's development and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the very good organisation of the childminder. Their enjoyment is promoted as the daily routine, which accommodates the 'school run', is very well structured. This means that children are given time for unhurried play, rest, walks, relaxed meals, visits to groups and outings. As a result, children have an enjoyable time with the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps a well-organised portfolio, which contains relevant certificates, references and policy statements. These are filed under National Standards so that information can be easily accessed. The childminder is aware of confidentiality issues and keeps documentation secure. She has attended and successfully completed relevant training and is continuing her professional development by enrolling on a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level three childcare course. The childminder evaluates what she offers children very well and makes very good use of the local childminding network to keep herself updated. As a result of this the childminder has built on the satisfactory practice noted at her first inspection. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to review ways of promoting equality of opportunity. In response the childminder has systematically built on her knowledge and understanding of inclusion and purchased a range of resources that reflects diversity. Consequently, children's care has been enhanced.

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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): • establish a procedure to check that the contents of the first aid kits are replaced as necessary.

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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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