Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276582 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2007 Inspection date Ros Church 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 2003. She lives with her husband and daughter in a rural area of South Lincolnshire. Minded children have access to the ground floor with toilet and sleep facilities available within this area. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has 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. She currently cares for four children under five years and one child over eight years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is satisfactorily promoted because all areas of the home are maintained in a clean condition and children learn to follow appropriate hygiene practices. For example, children learn to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, and learn why this is important. The childminder effectively manages access to the family dog to ensure children's continued

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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 good health and hygiene. She promotes children's health as she holds a current first aid certificate, and has a clear policy in place with regards to the care and attendance of sick children, which is shared with parents. However, parental consents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment have not been obtained, this means children may not receive appropriate treatment in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a routine which incorporates lots of physical exercise and fresh air. They have regular opportunities for playing outside in the garden where they are able to use a suitable range of equipment which includes a slide, playhouse and various wheeled toys, such as, tricycles and tractors. Children enjoy local walks along the farm paths, and visit local parks where they are able to use fixed climbing and balancing equipment to develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary requirements are met as the childminder takes account of preferences and parental wishes regarding meals and snacks. Children learn about eating healthily as a wide variety of healthy and nutritious foods are provided which include vegetables and fruit. Children's understanding of healthy eating is extended further through a range of different activities, such as, playing picture games and making collages about healthy foods and not so healthy foods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children remain safe because the childminder is vigilant in her supervision of them. She takes positive steps to reduce any hazards around the home and garden, enabling children to move around and play safely. Suitable space is available for children to be involved in a range of activities within either the playroom or the lounge/dining room. Toys and equipment are well-maintained and most are easily accessible within the playroom for children to make choices in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder generally identifies and minimises risks prior to children arriving and whilst they are in her care. For example, the entrance door and garden are secure. Children are beginning to develop a suitable understanding of keeping themselves safe. For example, on outings they learn about safety in the local environment and how to cross roads safely. Although there is a clear emergency evacuation procedure in place, this has not been practised. A smoke alarm is in place on the ground floor but not on both levels of the house. This weakens the overall arrangements to protect children in the event of a fire. Children's welfare is suitably protected because the childminder has a sound understanding of the procedures in safeguarding children, and knows what to do in the event of any concerns. Her knowledge and understanding has been supported through recent training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and relaxed in the care of the childminder. They are confident in their surroundings and make some choices from the range of activities available. For example, a young child chooses to do a drawing using the stencils. He finds the crayons and stencils, and confidently asks the childminder for the paper. The childminder interacts well with the children and becomes involved in their play; this encourages their development. Children make positive relationships with the childminder and one another. They enjoy playing games together, such as, a sound game where children listen for the sound and identify the playing card, or where children take turns in carefully loading up the tools in 'Bob the Builder's' wheelbarrow

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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 before it tips up. Opportunities are provided for children to play in the home and garden with activities which include painting, play dough, decorating biscuits, collages and growing seeds, such as, sunflowers. The childminder has some knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, however, she does not yet use this to fully extend the range and stimulus of activities for the youngest children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. A calm and consistent environment helps children settle readily with the childminder and learn what is expected of them. The childminder interacts well with the children and promotes good behaviour through praise and encouragement. Children begin to learn what is expected of them through clear guidance and direction, such as, sharing toys and equipment, and learning to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children's individual needs and routines are met as the childminder works well with the parents. Parents learn about their child's care and the activities they have been involved in through daily communication with the childminder. The childminder has satisfactory systems in place to support the inclusion of children with identified disabilities and/or learning difficulties. Children learn about similarities and differences in society through a satisfactory range of toys and equipment which show positive images of diversity in society.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children have satisfactory levels of support and supervision to enable them to feel secure in the environment. The childminder organises the ground floor of her home so children can eat, play and rest in comfort. Children's welfare is protected as relevant documentation is satisfactorily maintained and kept confidential. Vetting procedures have been carried out on most members of the household. However, the childminder has not contacted Ofsted since her daughter reached 16 years, with regards to carrying out individual checks. This is a requirement of registration, to enable all checks to be carried out on any person in the household who is 16 years and over to ensure children's safety. The childminder keeps up to date with required first aid training, and has attended additional courses, such as, child protection and a 'Music Sounds Workshop'. This helps her to extend her knowledge and the care given to the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children by having an appropriate range of activities and resources, to develop knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures, to make safe the grate at the entrance of the property, and to improve knowledge and understanding of special needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained equipment and now provides a satisfactory range of resources showing positive images of diversity in society. She has developed her understanding of equal opportunities and has a written policy which is shared with the parents. She has developed her knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures by attending a relevant course. A large planter has been placed on the outside grate making it inaccessible and safe for children. The childminder now has a satisfactory understanding of how she can meet children's special needs and care. By taking these positive steps children's welfare and safety is promoted.

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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

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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 persons 16 years and over living or regularly present in the household when children are being minded undergo checks including a criminal records check • ensure written parental permission is requested, at the time of placement to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future • ensure smoke alarms, which conform to BS EN safety standards, are provided at every level of the house and are maintained in working condition, and that the emergency escape plan is practised • improve outcomes for children under three by implementing an approach in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework, with particular regards to planning and provision of activities.

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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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