Marshall Laura

Inspection report for early years provision

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306845 Unique Reference Number 03 January 2008 Inspection date Sally Ann Smith 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 two children aged seven and five years in Littleover. The lounge, kitchen, hall, playroom and toilet on the ground floor and three bedrooms on the first floor are 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part-time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and takes children to local shops and parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to learn about appropriate hygiene through consistent daily routines. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and each have their own hand towel reducing the risk of cross-infection. Dry hand gel is used for outings so that children's hygiene is effectively promoted. Tissues are easily accessible enabling children to help themselves

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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 when required. The childminder is vigilant when cleaning sinks, toilets and basins using an anti bacterial cleaner and disposable wipes rather than a dishcloth, therefore minimising germs. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid box is readily accessible. A first aid kit is taken on outings. Records are maintained of accidents and medicines administered to children which are shared with parents. However, written consent is not obtained at the time of the placement to administer medication, although the childminder obtains permission prior to the start of each course of treatment. In addition, the childminder is not familiar with notifiable and communicable diseases and the relevant procedures therefore compromising children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat a range of nutritional, freshly prepared meals accompanied by plenty of fruit and vegetables. At times they have nearly ten varieties of vegetables to tempt their taste buds, including asparagus and mange tout. Children heartily tuck in to butternut squash soup and are surprised when the courgettes they normally dislike are disguised in a pasta sauce which they devour with gusto. Children visit the shops and purchase fruit to make a fruit salad. This includes less well known varieties such as sharon fruit and physallis. Children pick various soft fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries whilst blackberries are added to apples to make a crumble. Specific information regarding children's individual dietary requirements is discussed with parents to ensure children's needs are met. Children have a regular supply of drinks which are also taken on outings to ensure children are rehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to be active and have exercise both indoors and outdoors which promotes their physical skills. They walk to and from school on a daily basis and visit the local park where they can access a range of climbing and play equipment. At times they take scooters and footballs to develop their balance and coordination. Younger children visit the local soft play facility where they can practise a range of physical skills such as climbing, stretching and sliding. Children enjoy dancing and movement to music as they select compact discs or play different musical instruments.

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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 environment which is safe, secure and well maintained. The childminder takes reasonable steps to ensure that hazards are minimised. For example, cleaning materials are made inaccessible to children and they are not exposed to hazards when in the kitchen. Any electrical sockets are covered with safety caps when not in use. Toys and resources are regularly cleaned and sterilised, particularly babies toys and the childminder checks all resources to ensure there are no missing parts. All broken toys are discarded. Children can move around freely and independently access resources of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about safety both inside and outside the home. They understand the rules of the house, for example, they know that they must not run around or climb over the furniture. They are kept safe on outings as the childminder ensures that they are within close proximity at all times. Children wear wristbands identifying the name and telephone number of the childminder in the event of a child becoming lost. A book containing parents' contact details is kept in the car and telephone numbers are stored in the childminder's mobile phone which is always taken on outings. Smoke alarms which are regularly tested are on both levels of the house and there is a fire blanket in the kitchen. An emergency escape plan has been devised by the childminder and she discusses this with older children. Although the procedure has been practised in the past, it has not been done recently to take account of younger children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding, therefore potentially compromising their safety.

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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 Children are suitably safeguarded because the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures and her responsibility to protect children in her care. She is currently awaiting training to update her knowledge and understanding of all safeguarding issues in line with current guidance. She understands the procedures should an allegation of abuse be made against herself.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in their environment and relate well to the childminder. They are relaxed in her company as she displays a warm and friendly manner. Children have a wealth of resources to choose from, all of which are easily accessible. These are stored in Perspex boxes enabling children to see the contents inside. The focus of play is very much child-initiated enabling children to participate in activities they enjoy and which maintain their interest. Children freely move around the rooms available and confidently ask for help in selecting resources. For example, the childminder responds for requests to play with the play dough and fetches this for children. Children are involved in a broad range of activities which support their development and learning. Children construct with a range of materials and resources building various models and designs. They use their imagination as they play with small world resources

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

such as pirate ships, castles and dolls houses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly look at books, happily snuggling up to the childminder to look at the pictures and discuss their observations. They play with puppets and act out different scenarios or make up their own stories. Older children often put on shows. This helps to develop children's language and communication skills. Art and craft activities prove very popular and children stand at the easel and paint, chalk or use crayons to create a picture. Children enjoy working collaboratively to complete more large scale creations. For example, a roll of wallpaper is spread on the floor and children make a tree trunk and branches. They then collect leaves to stick on their tree. Mathematical development is fostered as children regularly count and play different games to develop mathematical language and problem solving. Children explore their understanding of opposites and count as they sort objects by number, colour and size. Children regularly go out

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and about, meeting up with other children to encourage socialisation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled as the childminder discusses their needs with parents and ensures that appropriate toys, resources and equipment are available. Procedures are in place to help settle new children and the childminder acknowledges that some children take longer to settle than others. Therefore a settling in programme is planned around the needs of the child in consultation with their parents. They are offered initial visits to the setting to help develop relationships and enable the childminder to find out about the child’s personal routine and care needs. This helps to establish confidence and trust. All children are encouraged to access the full range of resources available. However, children have few opportunities to become aware of cultural diversity, disability and the wider world in general. On occasions, children taste Indian, Chinese and Jamaican foods but resources such as books, puzzles and visual displays

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are very limited therefore hindering children's understanding and learning. The childminder is not currently caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but has appropriate strategies in place to care for their needs. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure the needs of the child are fully met and will work with outside agencies at the parents instigation.

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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 Children are given lots of praise to make them feel valued and encourage positive behaviour. The childminder reinforces positive aspects of children's behaviour rather than the negative and leads by example. For example, the childminder says 'please' and 'thank you' at appropriate times and encourages children to do likewise. Challenging behaviour is appropriately managed and the childminder recognises that children go through different stages and emotions. For example, she understands that some young children bite when they are frustrated so she looks at strategies for dealing with this. The childminder never humiliates a child, for example, by using a naughty chair when they misbehave. However, on occasions older children are asked to sit quietly and reflect on their behaviour and the consequence of their actions. Behaviour

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Helping children make a positive contribution

management strategies are discussed with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their individual needs met by the childminder who works closely with parents. Information is shared verbally at the beginning and end of the day to ensure that children receive consistent and appropriate care. Relationships with parents are relatively relaxed and informal although contractual agreements are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's needs are met as the childminder organises space and resources accordingly to allow children to play and learn. Children are well supported during their time at the childminders enabling them to feel secure and confident. Children's attendance is accurately documented, recording their arrival and departure times. The childminder adheres to her conditions of registration although her certificate is not displayed for parents perusal. The childminder has a current first aid certificate which has been recently updated but has not attended other training to update her knowledge and understanding. However, she is aware of the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' and the importance of accessing training in readiness for its implementation in September 2008.

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Organisation

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the National Standards and therefore

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Organisation

most records and documentation are in place for the safe and efficient management of the setting, although some require further detail. Documentation is stored securely to protect privacy and confidentiality. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to: make cleaning materials inaccessible to children; obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice and treatment and ensure that attendance records accurately record children's arrival and departure. All cleaning materials are inaccessible to children. The childminder obtains written consent from parents to seek any necessary medical advice or treatment and an accurate record is maintained of children's arrival and departure.

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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 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): • improve the good health of children by obtaining written parental consent to administer medication at the start of the childminding arrangement and improve knowledge of notifiable and communicable diseases and the relevant procedures • promote further the safety of children within the setting by practising the emergency escape plan • improve and increase further the range of resources and planned activities to reflect cultural diversity and disability • comply with conditions of registration with regard to displaying the certificate.

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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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