Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY225748 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2007 Inspection date Diane Mary O'Neill 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 2002. She lives with her husband and four children aged 18, 17, 13 and nine years in Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available 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 three children under five either all day or part-time and two children over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She helps run the local toddler group. The family has a dog and tropical fish as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to understand simple and effective hygiene practices through suitable procedures which therefore enable them to learn about the prevention of spreading infection. The childminder positively works towards reducing the potential risks to children’s health and hygiene to ensure their welfare is well maintained. Children’s health is further safeguarded as

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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 has clear documented exclusion times for certain illnesses, therefore preventing cross-infection to other children. Children are protected through the childminder’s suitable awareness of dealing with emergency first aid as she holds an up-to-date and recognised first aid training course certificate. She has all relevant documentation for the recording of any accidental injuries and medication administered in line with registration requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a reasonably healthy diet of suitably presented nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder shares information with the parents to ensure the children’s dietary requirements are maintained. Children have access to drinks of water and squash on request.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have appropriate access to fresh air and exercise whenever possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They go to the local parks where they have access to swings, slides, and large physical equipment which enables them to learn and practise their physical skills. Within the childminder's garden the children play with a selection of play materials that further encourage their enjoyment. For example, play tunnel and tent, sit and ride toys, and sand pit.

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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 and safe environment. The childminder has identified and minimised the risk to children by regularly checking equipment, toys and premises. There are suitable opportunities for children to take part in indoor and outdoor activities and use equipment to develop their skills and physical abilities which are appropriate for the ages of the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall children’s safety and well-being is suitably monitored by the childminder. This includes them practising on a regular basis an emergency evacuation procedure and following the ‘Green Cross Code’ when out with the childminder, therefore helping them to learn about staying safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s care and welfare is safeguarded as the childminder gives appropriate consideration to her responsibility to protect children in her care. She ensures that all required up-to-date guidance and documentation is in place to assist her in this process, such as having the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board guidance and the up-to-date publication of the Department of Health booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused' summary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are secure, settled and very happy in their surroundings. The childminder is attentive to the children in her care providing a varied and stimulating range of practical age-appropriate activities that inspire interest. These play opportunities enable them to develop in most areas of their learning. Children are able to extend their play through trips within the local area such as, going to the park to use the large physical play equipment which further enables them to enhance their physical skills as well as going on trips to a local farm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy pretend play and using their imagination. For example, playing with a pirate ship and looking for treasure. They also enjoy playing with the cars and a garage as they pretend to fill their cars with petrol at the pumps, so re-enacting everyday situations. Children proudly showed the childminder the smiley face they had made out of play dough, where upon she gave them lots of praise. Children have good opportunities to ask the childminder for toys. For

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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 example, the children asked for soft bricks, so they could do some building. They actively took part in clearing some of the play materials away to make space for other activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are well behaved, confident and happy during their time with the childminder. They take turns and co-operate with each other to achieve the common goal. For example, they share the toys in the sand pit, playing with the cars and pirates. Children confidently talk about their needs and interests, likes and dislikes. They communicate and interact well with the childminder and the other children in attendance. The childminder helps the children to count and learn their colours through using bricks, posters, and everyday items. Such as, they matched the bricks to items of the children’s clothing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has prepared a file with the new Foundation Stage guidance, laminated cards of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum. This then assists the childminder in her planning of activities for all the children and making sure she meets their developmental needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals because the childminder makes sure that she is aware of their individual needs and is able to meet these. For example, there is a daily routine which allows time for them to play, rest and have their dietary needs met. The children’s behaviour is acceptable and they are learning to play together, sharing and taking turns. There are consistent boundaries in place so the children are learning what is expected of them. The childminder has a sound understanding of behaviour management and uses age-appropriate strategies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to have an awareness of society and the world around them. By going out on trips within the local community and playing with a sufficient range of toys and books the childminder is enabling them to further develop their knowledge and understanding of the diverse society in which we live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s care is enhanced through the childminder’s positive working partnership with parents. This impacts on the confidence and security of each child. Each parent has sufficient time to discuss their child’s progress on a daily basis, which helps to keep them informed about their child’s day. The childminder offers parents the opportunity to read her portfolio as well as giving them photographs of activities their children have been doing.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy and at ease in this well-organised environment. They participate in the activities and happily initiate their own play by readily exploring the toys and resources on offer. The childminder is well-organised and has a professional approach to her childminding practice. She has written policies and procedures and documentation to positively promote the welfare and learning opportunities for children in her care. She does however, require to display her certificate of registration so it is easily seen by the parents.

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Organisation

The childminder is interested in keeping up-to-date with any childcare literature which enables her to further enhance the learning and play opportunities she can offer children in her care. Overall, the needs of all children are met.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure Ofsted is kept fully informed of all changes to circumstances. This was recommended because the childminder had, had a conservatory built. The childminder stated that some more changes were done and that she wrote to Ofsted. Therefore she met her registration requirements. The childminder was asked to make sure that the low-level glass panels in the television cabinet were safe or inaccessible to children. This has since been removed and the television is mounted on the wall, therefore making it safe for children.

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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 childminding certificate is displayed at all times.

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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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