Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345691 Unique Reference Number 20 August 2007 Inspection date Sjertsje Ebbers 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 2006. She lives with her husband and school-aged child in a semi detached house in Kirby-in-Ashfield, north of Nottingham. There are local amenities which are easily accessible, such as a park, school and shops. The family has a selection of fish, one rabbit and a dog. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed and secure back garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years of age at any one time. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder takes positive steps to promote children's good health. For example, she helps children to understand why they need to brush their teeth in the morning and before bed. Children are learning about their personal hygiene because the childminder reminds them to wash their hands as part of their daily routine. Children are protected from cross-contamination

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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 as they have their own towels. The childminder’s home is kept clean and she serves as a positive role model.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from well-proportioned meals that are nutritious. They have good opportunities to learn about healthy eating because the childminder provides them with a balanced diet and complies with their individual dietary needs. For example, they receive healthy snacks such as yoghurts and carrots and are given ample time to eat these. Children have access to their own drink bottles which ensures children are kept hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the fresh air and have regular opportunities for outdoor play. Children can move freely because the outdoor space is a safe, well-planned and resourced learning environment. For example, the childminder has a variety of large outdoor equipment such as a swing, see-saw and trampoline that children can access themselves. She provides a range of stimuli for movement, such as music and dancing and joins in with the children while they move to the music.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a welcoming and safe environment. They have sufficient space to move around safely and the childminder follows children well to ensure good supervision. The garden is well-maintained and secure. Children have access to a wide range of interesting toys and colourful equipment which contributes to all areas of development. These are stored at children’s height which encourages their independence and enables them to make their own choices. The childminder ensures toys and equipment are of good design and condition and they are regularly cleaned.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken positive steps to minimise risks in her home and reminds children to be careful during their play. Fire safety precautions such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place. Children are starting to learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder practises fire drills with them. This ensures children know the emergency escape route in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a child protection policy and procedure in place and the childminder has a good knowledge of detecting signs of abuse. However, the procedure is out of line with the current Local Safeguarding Children Board and the childminder’s knowledge on who to contact in the event of a concern is not secure. As a result children are not fully safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled in the welcoming environment. They enjoy spending time exploring the stimulating range of toys and equipment provided by the childminder based on her good knowledge of child development. The childminder gets down to the children's level and joins in with their play, supporting the development of their language and curiosity with open-ended questions. This ensures children's learning is consolidated and extended.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their confidence as the childminder knows them well and listens to children when they talk about their everyday experiences. Children are encouraged to take part in a variety of activities which ensures all areas of children's development are promoted and met. They enjoy engaging in imaginative play, taking on the roles of doctors and nurses. Children

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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 confidently ask questions and use their initiative, for example, independently accessing the garden to select toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are forming positive and caring relationships with each other. The childminder encourages children to play together and to share toys. This helps children to develop their social skills. She also ensures they have one to one time with her by working around children’s routines. Older children serve as good role models for the younger children. All children’s care and learning needs are well met and they are developing well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder’s home. They are developing a sense of belonging as they have developed good routines. They have access to a varied range of resources, including books, dolls and small world figures which assist them in gaining an awareness of diversity and the wider world. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has received relevant training in the field. She takes appropriate action to include all children in her care and to promote equal opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand the rules and know what is expected of them. Their behaviour is good and they use good manners such as saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. The childminder makes sure children are being kept entertained and engaged in interesting activities to prevent children from getting bored or misbehaving. She uses praise and encouragement which contribute to children's self-esteem. Regular communication with parents enables any behavioural changes to be shared and ensures a consistent approach is maintained.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents to provide individual care required to promote children's welfare and development. Information with parents is shared verbally on a daily basis about children's meals and daily routines to ensure their changing needs are met and to provide continuity of care. The childminder has a complaints policy in place in case a parent has a complaint, however, her knowledge on the correct procedure to follow is not secure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a friendly and approachable childminder. She has got a good range of relevant early years qualifications to support her registration. The childminder is committed to improve her practice and to uptake further training. Space and resources are organised well and the childminder effectively organises her time around children’s routines. This ensures they receive individual care and attention. The children are provided with a balance of play and learning opportunities that contribute to their all-round development.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is positively promoted by the documented information kept, this is well organised to ensure children's details are kept confidential. There is a range of written policies and procedures in place to support her practice. However, at the time of inspection some of the childminder’s documentation was incomplete or out of date, such as the complaints and child protection procedure. Subsequently, some of her knowledge on these procedures is not secure which could affect children’s welfare. Appropriate checks have been carried out to ensure children are cared for by a suitably vetted person and children are never left alone with any person not vetted.

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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 Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 that the child protection procedure is up to date and in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board • review childminding records and documentation, such as complaints procedure, to ensure they are in line with the National Standards.

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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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