Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY284548 Unique Reference Number 30 July 2007 Inspection date Paula Durrant 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 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged 11 and four years in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. The garden is not used at present.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Currently the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five who attends full time. The family have fish as pets. During the inspection there was one child present.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from infection and are well taken care of if they have an accident as the childminder rigorously adheres to environmental health guidance. For example, the premises are maintained to a high level of cleanliness, food is stored appropriately and surfaces where

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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 food preparation takes place is cleansed with antibacterial solutions prior to use. Comprehensive written health and hygiene procedures support the childminder in her practice. For example, children who are unwell or display symptoms of communicable diseases are discouraged from attending in line with stipulated exclusion periods. Children wash hands in line with the daily routine. They understand the purpose of why they complete this task as discussions about bacteria and germs are frequently held. This means that the potential for cross-contamination is effectively minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a nutritious, balanced diet. The childminder is flexible in the provision of meals in line with parental preference. Current practice is that children have a home cooked meal midday, in addition to a light evening brunch of either crumpets or various toppings on toast such as beans. All meals comply with individual dietary needs. Children stay well hydrated as drinks are offered routinely throughout the day. Water is preferential as the childminder recognises that this does not affect children's diet or damage their teeth.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical activity. They have access to a secure and safe garden area which is suitably equipped with a range of challenging resources. Children also participate in regular walks in and around the local community and access other amenities such as parks and activity centres frequently. This supports increased development of control and coordination of large muscle movements. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home care routines whilst older children sit quietly, looking at books or watching child-centred television programmes to recuperate their energy levels.

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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 welcoming, secure and safe family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder is highly vigilant, undertaking daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a diverse range of high quality resources maintained in good repair. The childminder abides by manufacturer's recommendations providing age-appropriate equipment that holds a recognised safety kite mark. Good organisational forethought, such as the use of differing locations of the home when younger and older children are in attendance, means that all children access a range of stimulating equipment and activities they enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe as the childminder is vigilant in her practice. She gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home. For example, children know to adhere to the 'house rules' such as not climbing on the furniture as they may fall and hurt themselves. They know to listen and obey the instructions of the childminder when out, such as keeping safety restraints fastened in the car and holding hands when walking. Children stay safe in the event of a fire as there is a clear procedure in place which is regularly practised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is priority in this household. Children are cared for by a suitable adult who has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has completed vetting checks and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. She knows where and how to record and report concerns in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in this stimulating and nurturing environment where the childminder completely dedicates her time, enthusiasm and enjoyment to supporting children in their learning. For example, she remains available to offer assistance and guidance and to extend language for thinking skills through the use of open ended questions such as when making snails from the play dough. A lovely extension of talking about where snails live, what they look like and how they move gave the child an opportunity to share their knowledge and to build on what they know as they learnt about the habitat of the creature and its food source, eating the green leaves of the childminder's plants. This was further extended to talk about other living beings as the childminder asked the child about other types of insects or animals that live in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children remain intent and highly focused on their tasks due to the positive involvement of the childminder. They are confident in voicing their thoughts and ideas, such as when a child requested to change the direction of their play, introducing moulds in which to make characters with hair as they pushed the play dough through the small holes on the top of the figure's head. This allowed an opportunity to talk about change in mass and also for children to use tools such as scissors to cut, supporting both mathematical and fine motor skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is highly intuitive to the children in her care. She knows their likes and dislikes and preferences of resources. She promotes a varied balance of practical play opportunities both within and outside of the family home. She has a sound awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and of the pending Early Years Foundation Stage. This supports her in her delivery of a varied and balanced curriculum where significant emphasis is given to teaching through play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs take high priority in this home-from-home provision. A superb partnership with parents enables children to receive extended family care. The childminder knows the children well and uses information gained from parents to implement highly effective care plans for each child. Mutual respect, love and understanding all play an integral part of the childminder's practice. Children play an active part in their own learning. They make independent decisions in their play. They have positive levels of self-esteem and respect the opinions and actions of others because the childminder consistently praises their efforts and reaffirms their achievements, guiding their social and moral development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a conscientious practitioner who has a secure understanding of child development and the way that children learn through play. She makes full use of her childcare qualification, life skills as a mother, short courses and childcare literature to implement practical age-appropriate activities that appeal and stimulate interest and a desire to learn. For example, she provides a balance of focused adult-led activities in addition to promoting free choice in order for children to reaffirm and practise their skills. Children are very much part of an extended family and are comfortable in this well-organised and inviting environment. They confidently make independent choices in their activities and extend their own play and learning in an imaginative way. The childminder effectively uses her written procedures and routines to

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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 promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. Although the childminder has a sound awareness of her registration requirements she is yet to develop a summary annex for managing parental complaints so that confidentiality is upheld and has failed to report to the regulatory body (Ofsted) a significant change within the household. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course and to make sure that the first aid kit is stored in an appropriate accessible place. Children's health care needs are maintained as the childminder has now updated her skills through appropriate training and has relocated her first aid box so that it remains easily accessible. She was also required to make sure the attendance records are completed on a daily basis. This is now done.

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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 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): • ensure full compliance to regulatory requirements, this refers to implementation of a summary annex for parental complaints and notifying the regulatory body (Ofsted) of significant changes.

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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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