Hunt Susan Yvonne

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

209892 Unique Reference Number 04 September 2007 Inspection date Linda Tomkins Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 and 12 years in Staffordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 two children under five part-time and four children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local childminder's toddler groups. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a welcoming, comfortable home where the childminder has developed good hygiene practices and ensures children understand why and how they wash their hands before food and after using the toilet. Young children are encouraged to begin to access the

p.2

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 bathroom independently and develop their own hygiene routines. For example, wiping their own noses with tissues. This means that children are not exposed to cross-contamination and understand how germs spread.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

There are commendable arrangements and written policies for managing illness. The childminder does not care for sick or infectious children which helps to prevent cross-infection. Procedures for managing accidents and giving medication are good, they are clearly recorded and explained to parents when children are settled into the childminder's home. The childminder has attended training in first aid and discusses and records the children's individual health and dietary details which ensures all their needs are met.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of how children's health is promoted. Children are provided with a varied range of activities which contribute to their continued good health, such as, regular outside play in the rear garden, visits to a local park and walks to and from school. Children have regular quiet periods of rest on the sofas or sleep in a travel cot on the first floor, in accordance with their routine.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides snacks of fresh fruit and raw vegetables, such as, carrot sticks. Children also enjoy bread sticks and occasional biscuits. They have drinks of diluted low-sugar juice, milk or water. Children benefit from freshly cooked meals, such as spaghetti bolognaise or meat and vegetables. The childminder organises her routine so that children eat at regular times at the dining room table. She ensures that children have free access to water at all times which means they choose to drink when they are thirsty.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are provided with clear, safe space to move around freely and independently. The childminder has fire detection and safety equipment and has devised an emergency evacuation plan which she displays and discusses with children. This helps to keep children safe in an emergency situation.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select activities from a range of toys and equipment stored in the shed, toy cupboard and containers in the lounge. The childminder supervises children's selection to ensure children can safely access the resources. She provides toys that are appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. The children play outside in the rear garden on secured large equipment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All of the required procedures and equipment are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Children are helped to begin to understand how to keep safe when outside, for example, wearing wrist straps when walking and being told to 'stop, look, listen for cars' when crossing the road. The childminder reminds children of safety rules as they play outside, saying 'use the steps, don't climb on the wall'. However, the lock on the first floor bathroom door is accessible to young children and has the potential for children to lock themselves in the room.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder understands her duty to protect children in her care and has detailed knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse. She has sound knowledge of the procedures to report concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children's level of development is excellent because the childminder organises her routines and activities to suit each child, which allows children to progress and increase their confidence and independence in their play and learning. She encourages younger children to choose their own favourite activities. For example, making shapes with play dough and using a magnetic drawing game. Older children spend short periods of time with the childminder but initiate their own activities, such as, relaxing on the sofa whilst watching their preferred television programmes and playing board games together.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder discusses children's individual routines with their parents so that children have time to be active and to rest. Children have regular opportunities for physical development as they frequently play in the rear garden and walk to the park. Children become absorbed in their indoor play, such as, reading and helping with routine household jobs.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is qualified, experienced and knowledgeable. She ensures her resources suit the age of the children she cares for and provides a varied range to allow for choice of activity. For example, a Playstation and role play in the outside play house. The younger children are taken to pre-school groups and on visits to other childminders to interact and develop their social skills when in larger groups. The childminder constantly praises and congratulates the children on their achievements.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children's activities and progress are shared verbally with parents when they are collected. The childminder demonstrates an exemplary understanding of how children learn and value a degree of independence. The children are very settled and have formed close relationships with the childminder and her family.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder and children interact together using interesting resources, such as, dolls, books and watching children's television programmes with information and positive images of race, gender and minority groups. Children have frequent outside visits in the surrounding areas to the park and other local childminders and their children. This helps to promote a positive view of the wider world and helps children to learn to appreciate similarities and differences in others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. They enjoy individual attention and have conversations with the childminder who encourages them to freely express their views. For example, choosing specific activities, snack food and drinks.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Currently there are children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities attending and the childminder is proactive in offering support to the children by increasing knowledge of the children's specific requirements. The childminder is clear on how to take appropriate action to ensure support is given to children and parents to promote the welfare and development of all children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are positively encouraged to behave well and make themselves at home to foster good levels of self-esteem and a strong sense of belonging. There are clear boundaries and house rules which ensure children are encouraged to respond to the high levels of good behaviour

p.4

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 displayed by the childminder. Children are expected to say 'please', 'thank you' and help to tidy away their toys. Their good behaviour is rewarded with smiles, verbal praise and hugs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are initially provided with a 'parent pack' on the childminder's service when they attend introductory visits prior to placing their child. The childminder prepares individual record files for all children and shares information verbally with parents each day when they collect their children. This ensures parents are involved and contribute to the quality of care their children receive. Children take samples of cakes and artwork home to help parents to be involved in their learning and development. The childminder ensures parents are provided with information on how to contact Ofsted in the event of a complaint.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is qualified and employs her wide experience to provide a range of activities to develop children's skills and independence. She enthusiastically attends training to update and increase her skills and ensures all her training certificates are available for parents. For example, Level 3 in Home Based Childcare, First Aid, 'Birth to three matters' and Child Protection.

p.5

Organisation

Good practice and written policies and procedures ensure that children are secure and relaxed in the setting. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own learning and play. The environment provides clear space for children's free movement. The childminder promotes the welfare, care and learning of minded children.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has extensive knowledge of required records and ensures that all are accurately maintained, regularly reviewed, stored confidentially and available for parents and inspection. This enables the childminder to monitor and improve the quality of her care and contributes to continuity in the children's care. Overall, children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide a range of toys promoting equality of opportunity, make the stairs, kitchen and fireplace safe and to obtain written permission from parents for emergency medical treatment.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has increased her range of resources to promote equality of opportunity by providing children with books, such as 'A new friend' which tells the story of a child with disabilities starting school. In addition she has various reference books on other cultures and festivals. Safety gates and a fire guard are fitted to restrict access to the stairs, kitchen and fireplace and children are closely supervised at all times. Parents routinely give a range of written permissions including permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • make sure the lock on the bathroom door cannot be operated by children.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6