Drewell Carolyn

Inspection report for early years provision

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220966 Unique Reference Number 31 August 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 1993. She is currently caring for two children for various hours. The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 15, 13 and nine years old. They live in a house in Northampton.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Care is provided on the whole of the ground floor, the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has completed the National Childminding Association, Quality First quality assurance scheme training. She attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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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 prevent the spread of infection. They start to learn the importance of good hygiene practices during everyday

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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 routines, such as washing their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. In the event of minor accidents or illness, children receive appropriate care because the childminder holds an up to date first aid qualification and has a well stocked first aid kit readily available. Information about children's medical needs is obtained from their parents and all required records, including medicine, accident and consent for emergency medical treatment or advice are well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities to develop their physical skills. Young children gain control of their bodies as they crawl, pull themselves up to walk around furniture and learn to walk in the safe and suitable environment. Older children build on skills they already have during outdoor play in the garden or local park. They confidently climb on the large apparatus, fly their kites in the local field and negotiate space well while riding tricycles and scooters.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met well. They enjoy healthy, nutritious meals and snacks which often includes home grown fruit and vegetables. Children have access to drinks at all times and meals take account of their personal likes and dislikes, as well as any medical, religious or cultural requirements.

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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 well-organised and welcoming home where they feel secure. Space is used effectively to allow children to participate in a broad range of activities, such as arts and crafts and meals at the dining table and role play on the floor. Children play safely in the securely enclosed and well-maintained garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently choose what to play with from the wide range of good quality toys and equipment that are suitable for their purpose and meets their play and development needs well. Children stay safe because effective measures are in place to minimise any potential hazards. Safety gates prevent children using the stairs unsupervised, smoke alarms are fitted to both floors of the house, a fire blanket is fitted appropriately in the kitchen and catches on cupboard doors ensure harmful cleaning materials are inaccessible to children. Regular risk assessments that are recorded ensure the home, furniture and equipment remain safe at all times.

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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 very good knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the correct procedure to follow if she is concerned about a child in her care. She has updated her knowledge by attending a child protection refresher workshop and has relevant documentation that supports her to implement procedures correctly. For example, parents sign records of injuries children arrive with and the childminder is confident about what to do if an allegation of abuse is made against herself or a household member.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in the homely environment where the outcomes for children are promoted very well. They share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and feel settled and secure in her care. Children approach the childminder with confidence to express their needs, such as to tell her which activity they wish to do next.

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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 Children purposefully engage in a wide range of stimulating activities that meets their physical, intellectual, social and emotional needs. They enjoy a variety of craft activities, such as making puppets and musical instruments. Children use their imagination well as they take their puppet for a walk around the room. They enjoy dressing up as characters, such as a queen and a princess, imitate real life by making cups of tea and go shopping, which helps them make sense of the world. Children become skilful communicators as they respond to the childminder who talks to them about what they are doing, the colours they use on their puppet and what they wish to do next. They concentrate well as they listen to stories with interest and actively participate by identifying characters and giving them the names of their family members. Children have

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

fun during simple cooking activities, where they make flapjacks, biscuits and pizzas. This helps children start to understand how things change. Children have good opportunities to develop their early writing skills as they regularly draw pictures and write out shopping lists. They become confident in their own abilities as they help to make sandwiches for the indoor picnic and use the bread maker with support and guidance, to make bread. Children develop social confidence during regular visits to toddler groups, where they learn to share, take turns and play harmoniously with others. Progress records based on the 'Birth to three matters' framework, effectively support the childminder to provide care and activities that meet children's play and development needs well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children respond positively to the childminder's high expectations for their behaviour. They start to understand right from wrong because the childminder uses effective strategies, that take account of children's age and level of understanding. The childminder successfully implements the written behaviour management policy, using praise and encouragement to reward and support children to behave well. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel highly valued because the childminder knows them well and makes every effort to meet their individual needs. They share warm, caring relationships with the childminder and approach her confidently to express their needs. For example children snuggle up to the childminder for a cuddle and ask for their lunch early when hungry. Resources that help them learn about diversity are readily accessible, including books that show positive images of people from around the world, various coloured dolls and dolls who have a disability. This positively helps children appreciate our similarities and differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the friendly and professional relationships the childminder has with their parents. Information about children is shared regularly which contributes successfully to them receiving consistent care that meets their individual needs. The positive written comments given on questionnaires and references shows parents value the friendly approach, care given and the service provided. Although there are no children currently attending who have learning difficulties, the childminder is able to provide care which fully includes all children and could incorporate any additional care into the daily routine. The childminder has attended training in The Autistic Spectrum and has a written special educational needs policy that supports her to provide care that would help children, who have learning difficulties, reach their full potential.

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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. Children feel at home in the well-organised home, where their welfare, care and safety are promoted very well. Space and resources are organised well and ensures children benefit from a stimulating range of activities that they enjoy and are interested in. Daily routines take account of children's individual needs for meals, sleep, active and quiet play. Children's care, play and learning experiences are continually enhanced because the childminder continues to attend training workshops that help to build on her knowledge and understanding of good childcare practice. She has recently attended Food Hygiene, Healthy Eating, Safeguarding Children refresher, 'Birth to three matters' and 'Managing children's behaviour in a home based setting' training. This supports the childminder to develop the quality of care provided and therefore meet children's play and development needs well. The use of evaluation is not sufficiently

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Organisation

developed to clearly underpin accurate evaluation of the childminding practice.

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Organisation

Relevant checks are carried out on all household members to ensure they are suitable to have regular contact with young children, which contributes positively to their welfare and safety being promoted.

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Organisation

Comprehensive and attractively presented records, policies and procedures that support the childminder to promote the outcomes for children, are very 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. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder develop her knowledge of current child protection procedures. Children's welfare and safety are now better promoted because the childminder has attended a child protection refresher course. Furthermore she has completed the quality assurance training which included aspects of child protection. This ensures the childminder has the relevant skills and knowledge to protect children from harm or neglect.

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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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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): • further develop the use of evaluation to underpin accurate evaluation of the childminding practice.

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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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