Carpenter Nicola

Inspection report for early years provision

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221179 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2007 Inspection date Sheila Dawn Flounders 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 satisfactory. 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 1993. She lives with her partner and three grown-up children in the Duston area of Northampton. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five all day, and seven children over five before and after school and in the holidays. All the children attend part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, but also has use of a car during the day. There are a number of community facilities within walking distance of the setting, including pre-schools, schools, recreation areas and shops. The family have a cat and a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are sufficiently nourished during their time at the setting. Parents send all their food, which ensures that any dietary needs are fully met, which sometimes needs to be prepared by

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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 the childminder. She has ample space to store any items that need refrigeration and is aware of necessary hygiene measures in the kitchen. Children are able to access drinks, as most of the time their cups are kept within their reach. The childminder has previously attended first-aid and has also been trained to use an epipen, to deal with severe allergic reactions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because there are suitable measures in place to prevent the spread of infection, for example, some areas of the house cleaned daily. Children do not attend with serious illnesses or contagious infections, and parents are made aware that children will need collecting if they become unwell during the day. Within the home children are taught about personal hygiene routines, with gentle reminders about hand washing when they use the bathroom. Younger children are changed or use the potty in the hallway area, so that they are away from the play and eating areas of the house. The childminder also ensures that the family pets are not a health risk to the children. Medication is not often given, but the paperwork currently used to record parental permission and its administration are separate, not always fully completed and could be mislaid, which could compromise children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to access physical play with suitable activities available in the rear garden and more boisterous games in the local park. The childminder ensures they all get some fresh air and exercise during the walks to school or with the dog. Younger children do not always sleep, but suitable facilities are available when they need to, with pushchairs used in agreement with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment inside the childminder's house. They mainly use the large lounge area, with older children using the dining area to access the table or the computer, and sometimes the younger children play in the conservatory, where many of the resources are stored. The childminder is aware of potential hazards, for example, ensuring that empty sockets are covered and positioning sleeping children so that they are easy to monitor without leaving the others. She ensures the children are safe by keeping the front door and rear gate locked. Regular checks are made of the toys and equipment and necessary safety equipment for younger children is available if needed, for example, a stair gate. However, the garden is not as safe, with a loose step, items waiting to be removed close to areas where children play and one of the sheds not securely fastened which could compromise

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children's safety if the childminder is distracted when they are playing outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

On outings the younger children are securely fastened into the pushchair and the older children either hold the childminder's hand or onto the pushchair. The childminder ensures that the older children are aware of how to cross the road safely by taking turns to look and check the road before they cross, and they always use crossings where available. Children learn to protect themselves as they take part in emergency escape practises, which are randomly triggered by a neighbour, so that the childminder herself does not know when to expect one. They also all bring their own hats and sun cream in the hot weather. The children are further protected because the childminder understands her role and responsibility to safeguard children, which she discusses with parents.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to access a range of activities which are suitable to their varying ages and abilities. Some of the older children also bring items from home. All of the children are confident in their interaction with the childminder and with each other, although some of the younger ones are more wary of new faces. They enjoy being together at times in the same room, sometimes playing co-operatively, or at other times several activities go on in different parts of the room. At other times the older children go into the other room to use the computer or do activities at the table away from the inquisitive fingers of the young children. They all become engrossed in what they are doing, for example, the older children playing a game on the computer, whilst the younger ones delight in looking at the various animals either in books or as models, thinking with the childminder about what noises they make or talking about the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The older children are confident about asking the childminder questions, although these usually relate to their care needs. They are able to discuss the activities that they like to do together. During their interaction children, particularly the younger ones, acquire new skills and knowledge, for example, new vocabulary, such as 'ladybird' and 'grasshopper' when looking at the books. They are also provided with opportunities to use their initiative, for example, a younger child tries to change the 'transformers' as he has seen the older children do, and manages to move some of the pieces.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met by the childminder, as she takes time during introductory visits to find out what they are. Then during ongoing discussion with parents she establishes what they want her to do to help their child's development, for example, discussing when they both agree is the right time to start toilet training so that appropriate support can be given, or how strategies for handling behaviour change as children grow up. During these discussions parents learn about her policies and procedures, see the paperwork that will be used and provide information and necessary permissions for her to be able to care for their child. However, she does not give them sufficient information about how to make a complaint, or how to respond, because she is unaware of the current procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

During each day children have opportunities to make choices and decisions for themselves, with the older children particularly having the freedom to access all areas of the ground floor, and they are all encouraged to self-select from the resource boxes out in the lounge. During term-time the older children are not usually there at the same time as the younger ones, but in the holidays they demonstrate that they are tolerant and understand that younger children have more urgent care needs than their own. They are all encouraged to build up a sense of belonging in the setting by helping to tidy up the toys, and managing the contents of their packed lunches when they are old enough. All of the children generally behave well, as they are aware of the childminder's boundaries. However, there are suitable strategies in place to handle any incidents that do occur which take account of the ages, interests and level of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

understanding of the children. The childminder also encourages positive behaviour by praising the children and spending time at activities with them to demonstrate what reasonable behaviour is.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder has all the necessary information recorded about the children, permissions from parents and paperwork to record accidents and medication, although these are not always well maintained. She shows her registration certificate to new parents, although it is not on daily display. She is aware of the need to inform the regulator of recent household changes, to ensure that all adults are suitable to be in contact with children.

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Organisation

The premises is used to provide areas for general play, eating, table top activities, quiet activities away from other children if needed and sleep areas. The childminder organises her time during term-time to provide different activities at varying parts of the day according to the ages of the children being cared for. For example, activities suitable for the younger children during school hours. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider was asked to develop the resources and activities that promote equality and improve the written agreements with parents. There are now contracts in place with all parents, the detail of which is discussed at initial visits so that they are fully informed of the expectations, activities offered and business arrangements. These are suitably maintained and available for inspection. Additional resources have been added to develop children's awareness of equality and diversity and the childminder also ensures they are aware of the diversity within the local community.

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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 satisfactory. 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 medication is not given without prior written permission and that parents sign the record to acknowledge the entry • develop your knowledge and understanding of how parents may make a complaint, how to respond and what record is required

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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 • ensure that all areas of the garden used by the children are safe.

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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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