Atkinson, Karan

Inspection report for early years provision

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227501 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Esther Gray 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and nine, in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The lounge, conservatory and kitchen areas of the ground floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have two rabbits and a dog.

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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 seven children on a part-time basis. She drives to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent and toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She 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’s health is effectively promoted as the childminder takes positive steps to promote children’s good health and encourages them to begin to take responsibility for meeting their own health needs. Children learn about the importance of hygiene in daily routines and when they come into contact with pets. The childminder also makes parents aware of the appropriate exclusion periods, taking up professional advise where necessary, to prevent children from coming into contact with communicable diseases. As a result, positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder is able to take appropriate steps to care for children when they are injured or ill so that health needs are well met by having up-to-date training in first aid for young children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy living through a range of good activities that encourage them to learn about a healthy diet, fresh air and exercise. Children enjoy regular opportunities to experience physical activity and develop their skills. They visit parks and local areas of natural beauty which also have facilities for developing balance, climbing skills and provide space to run around in the fresh air. The childminder also provides children with a good range of outdoor play opportunities in the garden, with a see-saw, rocking horse and a little car for younger children to ride on, in the confines of the enclosed garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They have good opportunities to learn about healthy eating because the childminder provides children with regular drinks and food that are nutritious and she complies with their dietary and religious needs. Children grow seeds in the garden and explore the tastes and textures of different foods such as, dragon fruit, star fruit and mango. They help the childminder to cut up the vegetables and fruit to assist in preparing their own food. As a result, they are developing an lively interest in and awareness of factors which influence good outcomes for a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and are well cared for in premises that are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. This is because the childminder ensures that the environment gives children good access to a variety of toys and resources. Parents express their appreciation for the space made available both indoors and outside for children to play in. There are a good range of facilities that successfully promote children’s development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is well promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings. She ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents and minimise identified risks to children. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they learn about fire safety, rehearsing the emergency evacuation procedure regularly with the provider, marching like 'fire-fighters' to the garden. Older children are aware of the need to ensure safety gates, doors and locks are closed behind them to ensure the safety of younger children present. Younger children are able to investigate and explore their surroundings safely. They begin to understand there are rules and boundaries that keep them safe. Children use appropriate and safe equipment and they are all encouraged to become aware of their own safety and that of others.

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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 The childminder has sufficient information made available from the local authority, to ensure children are suitably protected from possible risks of child abuse and would follow the instructions within that information to protect children. However, she has not updated her knowledge on the changes to local processes or kept up-to-date on best practice on what to do if concerns arise. As a result, the childminder is not able to respond quickly and effectively to safeguard children. Despite this she has a good appreciation of what signs to look for and sufficient knowledge to take the appropriate steps to protect children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children have their individual needs met and are developing a good range of knowledge and skills because they are provided with a wide variety of good activities and play opportunities that help them achieve especially in areas of their particular interest. Children begin to distinguish right from wrong and form positive relationships. There are consistent boundaries and good adult support which helps the children to develop appropriate social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children are encouraged to develop their communication, language and literacy through a variety of very good activities in art, craft and discovery experiences. For example children enjoy food preparation or visits to local parks and wildlife or woodland areas. Children's work is valued and collected to share with parents, demonstrating achievement in writing for a purpose or in shape recognition. All children enjoy and share stories, songs and rhymes. Well thought out routines are planned to enable children to be a member of a social group, to be involved with the older children for part of the day and to encourage conversation as they sit and eat together. The childminder is very attentive which promotes a good disposition toward learning as she enables children to develop their play. However, she has not planned to promote children's progress from what she knows about the children into the daily routine effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

As a result, activities are not always extended sufficiently to consistently meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although older children are provided with a calm relaxed environment in which they can play or relax after school, there are no prepared, planned activities to engage children as they arrive from school. All activities for older children are child-initiated and most children stay for very short periods of time. During this time they have good opportunities to run around in the fresh air and to relax with a game of their choice. Children look forward to coming to the childminder each day and are comfortable with the rules they have agreed for the house. As a result, children are happy and settled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are well met because the childminder works very well with parents and carers to develop close partnerships so that all children settle happily to play. Although the childminder has not developed written information to share with parents there are scrapbooks with examples of what types of activities children enjoy. There is a good settling-in process giving young children time to adjust to a new environment. As a result, children feel comfortable and settled because they see parents and childminder acting together and giving consistent messages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children test out boundaries with adults who they trust. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of the younger children and provides appropriate activities and

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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 resources to support children’s physical and emotional development. Although there is no written statement on behaviour management, parents discuss behaviour management as it affects their children and older children are included in those discussions. As a result, children are clear about how the rules ensure children are not injured and that toys and property are not damaged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The organisation of the facilities allows easy access for all children and there is good division of space to ensure the needs of older and younger children are all met. Comprehensive details are collected about children's individual needs, including dietary or cultural and religious considerations. As a result, children are treated with equal concern. Although there are no focussed activities to develop children's appreciation of similarities and differences in the wider society, some planned activities provide opportunities for the childminder to explore familiar and alternative traditions of the wider society with children. As a result, the childminder encourages children to appreciate the wider multi-cultural environment, share resources and respect the feelings and needs of others.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from good organisation of the setting. It ensures that children’s health and safety and well-being are met. Children are protected from harm as the childminder is aware of the importance of ensuring that all unvetted visitors are suitable and are not left unattended with children in the setting or whilst on outings. The childminder makes good use of time, space and resources to ensure children are happy and settled and can access suitable facilities to promote first rate progress in their development and encourage them to develop a good disposition towards learning.

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Organisation

Children are well cared for in a setting where the childminder is suitably experienced to meet the needs of all children. Information is shared with parents to ensure they understand roles and responsibilities in protecting children from harm, with good details kept on children's records to meet their individual needs. These records are available and retained for inspection. Although the childminder has updated her first aid training she has not updated any other areas of her child care knowledge recently. She has identified the need to obtain information about the forthcoming changes in childcare and to develop her knowledge on up-to-date best practice with regard to the needs of children aged birth to three years. This knowledge underpins the care of younger children to ensure they develop to their full potential. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure appropriate checks are completed for family members, ensure children are aware that fresh drinking water is available to them at all times and ensure parents sign to acknowledge the record of medication administered to minded children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All residents of the household aged over 16 years have been identified to Ofsted and appropriately vetted to safeguard children. Parents are asked to sign the medication record to acknowledge the time and dose of medication administered to their children at their written request. As a result, children's health is further safeguarded. Children have access to fresh drinking water throughout their stay and have their own containers with their choice of drink, which are replenished as soon as they become empty and are kept within their reach. This

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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 ensures children's health and well-being are promoted and also ensures they do not become dehydrated during hot weather.

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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

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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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): • extend the range of planned activities and experiences for children, appropriate for their stages of development and based on their individual needs • develop and update knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect of children and what to do if concerns arise.

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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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