Platt Gillian

Inspection report for early years provision

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221126 Unique Reference Number 13 September 2007 Inspection date Andrea Ewer 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 1988 and is registered to care for a total of five children up to the age of eight years. She is currently caring for four children for various hours and days.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 13 and nine years in a house in a residential area on the outskirts of Northampton.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Care is provided in the playroom, kitchen and hallway, with the first floor bedrooms being used for children to sleep. Children share access to the fully-enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 clean and tidy premises where positive steps are taken to maintain good hygiene standards and prevent the spread of infection. They start to understand the importance of good hygiene practices as part of everyday routines such as, washing their hands after craft activities and visiting the toilet and before eating. The childminder helps children to understand the purpose of washing their hands by explaining that you're washing all the germs away.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks that positively contribute to their healthy growth and development. Information about children's dietary needs is used to plan and provide healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks that meets children's individual dietary needs. Children enjoy fresh fruit and chopped vegetables regularly for snacks and have meals such as lasagne with vegetables, boiled egg with 'soldiers' and sausages with beans and potatoes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills and enjoy fresh air. They move around with confidence indoors and have free access to the garden for outdoor play. Children ride on tricycles, and play on the slide and see-saw. Children often visit the park where they play on large apparatus and run around vigorously to let off steam. This helps children develop increased co-ordination and improved control of their bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Records that support the childminder to maintain children's good health are well maintained. Written consent is obtained to administer medicine and to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Clear systems are in place to record accidents and any medicine administered to children and the childminder obtains information from parents about children's medical and dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play safely in the well-organised and secure home where positive steps are taken to minimise potential hazards. They play happily between the playroom, kitchen diner and hallway which provides a welcoming and child-friendly environment. Attractive displays of many photographs help children feel a strong sense of belonging. Toys and activities are stored in containers on the floor and low-level shelves. This enables children to choose what to play with from the suitable range of good quality toys and activities that meets their play and development needs and supports them to become independent. Children participate in craft activities and eat at the table and play comfortably on the floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall effective measures are in place to keep children safe in the home. Smoke alarms are fitted to both floors of the house, a fire blanket is placed next to the cooker and a safety gate is fitted at the top of the stairs to prevent children gaining unsupervised access to them. Some electric sockets, however, are not covered, and catches are not fitted to drawers housing sharp cutlery and some cleaning materials. This potentially compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm or neglect because the childminder has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the correct procedure to follow should she be concerned a child in her care is being harmed. The childminder has attended updated child protection training and understands the importance of keeping records of any concerns she

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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 has about children. The up-to-date copy of local guidelines that includes relevant telephone numbers and written child protection procedure effectively support her to implement the procedures correctly and ensure children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are content and settled in the childminder's care. They share warm and friendly relationships with the childminder who plays with and talks to them consistently throughout the day. Children express their needs confidently, safe in the knowledge that the childminder will listen to them. For example, children ask to have their snack in the garden during warm weather and chat away happily to the childminder as they eat. Younger children feel secure as they snuggle into the childminder for a cuddle when they wake up slowly from their sleep.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play happily with the wide range of stimulating toys and activities provided and make choices about which activity to join. They express themselves freely during creative activities where they draw and paint pictures and make collages. Children manipulate, cut and roll play dough to make models and imitate real life as they make risotto in the play kitchen. Children listen with interest to stories and actively participate by naming the characters. They regularly enjoy visits to local toddler groups where they develop their social skills within larger groups. Children enthusiastically plant potatoes and tomatoes, care for them as they grow and help to prepare them for meals. They also take part in simple cooking activities, such as, making chocolate muffins. This helps them learn about growth and change and where our food comes from.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel valued in the warm and caring environment where they share friendly relationships with the childminder and each other. They start to understand what is expected of them as they respond to the clear guidelines and effective strategies used by the childminder. For example, children are reminded they must put some toys away before they take others out. Children enjoy the positive interaction with the childminder who spends her time playing with and talking to them. As a result children are learning to share, take turns and behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although there are no children who have learning difficulties and/or a disability, the childminder demonstrated during discussion that she is able to provide care that fully includes all children and could incorporate any additional care requirements into the daily routine. She understands the importance of working closely with parents and outside agencies to help children reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive appropriate and consistent care because the childminder works in close partnership with parents. Information is obtained from parents at the start of all childminding arrangements and shared regularly thereafter through daily discussions about children. Children have enough regular access to a good range of resources that help them learn about our similarities and differences. They play happily with small world people who have a disability, look at books and complete puzzles with images of people form other races, cultures and religions to themselves.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall children's needs are met. Attractively presented written policies and procedures are in place and inform parents of the service being provided. Records, that support the childminder to promote the outcomes for children are well maintained. Useful information is obtained from parents at the start of all childminding arrangements and is used by the childminder to plan and provide care that meets children's individual needs.

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Organisation

Relevant checks have been carried out on all household members to ensure they are suitable to have regular contact with young children and therefore promotes children's safety. Space and resources are generally well organised and ensures children benefit from a suitable range of activities that they enjoy and are interested in. Daily routines are consistent yet flexible to meet children's individual needs for meals, sleep, active and quiet play. Children sleep according to their individual needs and choose which activities to join.

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Organisation

The childminder continues to attend training courses that help her to build on her knowledge and skills. She has recently attended a child protection refresher course and updated her first aid qualification which support her to promote children's welfare, care and safety .

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder develop the written agreement with parents. The childminder now purchases pre-printed contracts that clearly set out expectations of both parties regarding the care of children, activities provided and business arrangements. This effectively promotes children's welfare, care and safety.

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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): • improve children's safety by ensuring electric sockets, sharp cutlery and cleaning materials are made inaccessible.

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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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