Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265919 Unique Reference Number 07 September 2007 Inspection date Tina Kelly 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two sons aged six and nine years in Croxley Green on the outskirts of Watford. The bungalow is close to local shops and amenities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play, there are no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA), she regularly attends the local childminder group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children. At the time of inspection the childminder was caring for one child aged two years and a baby of five months.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted because the childminder has developed sound procedures that ensure all aspects of the children's personal care is recorded and shared with parents on a daily basis. Issues are highlighted within the daily diary so parents are kept fully informed about

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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 their children's toileting and sleep routines. The childminder talks through the familiar nappy change routines with the young children in her care, they are co-operative and are becoming aware of the importance of personal hygiene as they have their own towels and flannels which help in minimising

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Helping children to be healthy

cross-infection. These procedures contribute to keeping children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has posters on display and policies that promote a healthy eating plan. However children have few opportunities to try new tastes or learn about where food comes from. They are not encouraged to take part in basic food preparation such as making sandwiches or make decisions about snacks and fruit that may be offered to them. The sample menu does not show a range of options, or new tastes and textures that would develop the children's tastes and identify foods they enjoy and are good for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for regular physical play. They have easy access to the garden where they can play, run and ride on wheeled toys. Children are able to access age-appropriate apparatus at toddler groups and activity sessions. They are frequently taken to nearby parks and play areas where they can develop their skills. These outings help children to keep fit and healthy.

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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 secure and welcoming family home. The childminder is aware of potential hazards and ensures appropriate safety measures are in place to ensure a safe environment for children to play and explore. When taking children out in the community their safety is maintained as the 'outings bag' contains important contact details, personal care information, a mobile phone and wrist bands that the children can wear when they are taken on trips to large play areas and parks. Children's safety is of high priority, the childminder has initiated a password system for collection times. She checks the identity of all visitors to the home when childminding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they play, they are gently reminded to put toys away and not to leave them in the way of the door. Good explanations support the children's learning. Young babies are kept safe as the childminder uses a lightweight travel cot in the main lounge, this enables the baby to watch the other children play safely. This protects the baby from getting hold of small play items and ensures the other children's play does not pose a danger. Children are able to make choices about their play, they have easy access to toys both in the lounge and the front bedroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder has attended child protection training, she has all the required documents to record accidents and incidents. Leaflets and contact numbers provided by the Local Safeguarding Children Board are on display and available in the portfolio. This ensures appropriate action is taken if there were any concerns about the welfare of the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled within the provision. Young babies are content and fall asleep in the arms of their carer. Young children have a growing sense of confidence, they approach

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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 visitors with books and settle to look at the pictures. They ask for help when setting up farm buildings, they show great determination as they fix the roofs and stand up the wooded animals. The childminder supports their learning with consistent interaction. Children's language and comprehension skills are extended as they share stories, sing favourite songs and share their play ideas with both their childminder and visitors. Children have easy access to a wide range of good quality toys. They can make independent choices about what they want to do. They are able to move around the family lounge and access additional toys in adjoining rooms.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's achievements are recorded in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Their developing skills are recognised and a standard check list is used to record their achievements. The records show the growing achievements made by the young children but the lack of dates and detail about the activities they have taken part in means there is not a clear overall view of the children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. children are valued and encouraged to take part in all activities and events. Babies are settled in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

age-appropriate chairs so they can watch the other children play. Young children are learning to take into account the needs of others, especially the baby. The childminder gives good explanations of activities they can take part in when the baby is asleep. This gives a strong sense of belonging with favourite games, puzzles and stories planned for the one to one session after lunch. They are becoming aware of their own needs and those of others, and learn to make decisions through having clear choices offered by their carer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the wider world through outings and resources that are readily available. Training has enabled the childminder to extend her understanding of different cultures and festivals and to develop the children's experiences of the wider world. The childminder has routines and procedures in place to help all children reach their full potential. These strategies cater for learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept informed about the day to day routines and childminding service with a comprehensive portfolio. A daily diary is used to share personal care information, nappy changes and sleep routines with parents. Families are kept informed about new learning opportunities and government strategies as posters provided by the early years partnership and Ofsted are on display.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's policies and procedures work well in practice to promote the outcomes for children. She plans the weeks activities around the different routines of the children in her care. She takes account of the children's individual needs, she plans her time to ensure children can play and to rest when they need to.

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Organisation

Comprehensive documentation is readily available in the registration portfolio. This also contains training certificates. The childminder has a commitment to training. She is fully aware of the courses that are offered by the Early Years Partnership. She is currently working towards a level

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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 three childcare course. She is proactive in seeking training and putting into practice new learning strategies to consistently promote and extend children's care and learning opportunities.

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Organisation

The childminder uses the National Childminding Association (NCMA) document toolkit to ensure appropriate records are maintained for the smooth running of the childminding service. Documents are in place to monitor and maintain the well-being of the children in her care, these are reviewed on a regular basis. Overall children’s needs are met

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was given three recommendations: to ensure reasonable steps are taken to minimise hazards, this refers to razors in bathroom cabinet. To provide toys and play materials to promote positive images of gender, disability and culture and to develop a portfolio to include policies and procedures, parent references, photo's, certificates of training, etc.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is aware of the potential hazards within the home and takes appropriate measures to ensure the children's safety. Toys and resources have been developed to promote positive images and the childminder has developed a portfolio which contains all the relevant documents in line with the National Standards.

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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): • to extend and develop the children's knowledge and understanding of healthy eating • to review the records of achievements to ensure names and dates are in place, to monitor progress and provide activities that extend and develop the children's skills.

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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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