Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337273 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2007 Inspection date Sheena Gibson 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 two children aged 15 years and 23 months in a suburb of Derby. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with an upstairs bedroom used for rest periods. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. Currently there are two children on roll. 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 cared for in a clean and comfortable environment. Good attention to hygiene within the home means children's health is suitably protected. They are learning appropriate practices to keep themselves healthy, for example, they routinely wash their hands before snacks and meals. The use of individual towels for hand drying contributes to reducing the risk of cross-infection. A sickness statement that is shared with parents ensures that poorly children do not attend and therefore minimises the risk of illness spreading. Children are appropriately

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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 cared for if they have an accident as the childminder has a secure knowledge of first aid; an appropriate paediatric first aid certificate is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to be active and go outside to play. They have toys in the garden such as balls and a mini trampoline and frequently use the larger equipment at the park. They enjoy music and movement sessions and dancing along to music in the home. This provides a benefit to the all-round development of their physical skills. The provision of regular healthy meals and snacks means children's nutritional needs are well met. Attention is given to providing home-made meals and introducing children to fresh fruit and vegetables.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very settled and at ease in the secure and well-maintained premises. Use of the ground floor provides sufficient space for them to play and relax within the childminder's sight, so ensuring they are well supervised. A number of sensible precautions are in place to minimise identified hazards and help keep children safe. For example, a fully-fenced outdoor area provides regular opportunities for safe outside play; fire evacuation procedures have been considered, with fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors being in place. However, after heavy rain the pond fills beyond the safety grate and the fire evacuation procedure has not been practised, which results in a potential risk for children. Children enjoy a wide range of toys and play materials that are of good quality, clean and in good condition. These are stimulating and suitable for the ages of children being cared for. For example, they enjoy toys that stimulate

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the senses, and toys that provide further challenge such as puzzles and shape sorters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes some valuable precautions in maintaining children's safety. For example, the use of gates prevents unescorted access to the stairs, and cupboard locks prevent access to household cleaning products. Children rest peacefully whilst with the childminder and a baby monitor is used to ensure their well-being. They are adequately supported in respect of child protection. The childminder has a rudimentary understanding about some of the indicators of child abuse although is not confident in what to do if there is a concern, which potentially impacts upon children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and demonstrate interest in what is on offer. A simple routine helps them to feel secure within the environment. They confidently sit at the craft table with appropriate plastic scissors and some magazines, determined to cut out some pictures. They enjoy playing with dough, shapes and cutters, making all sorts of items such as horses, snakes and sausages. They have a warm relationship with the childminder and each other. They are keen to spend time with the childminder and she interacts well with them, listening to what they say and responding appropriately. She engages them in simple conversation as they play, asking open questions such as 'what are you making?' This gives them the opportunity to gain further communication skills and extend their vocabulary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are curious and some are very assertive. They are secure to approach visitors in an attempt to get everyone to join in with their play. The childminder has a sound understanding of 'Birth to three' and considers this when engaging the individual children. She knows the children well and can clearly explain their level of development. Therefore they quickly progress. Children have a wide range of toys and activities that they enjoy and which encourage new

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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 skills. They have good imaginations and enjoy role play, particularly moving around the room pretending to be an aeroplane. Children enjoy visits to the local library for story time and to a local toddler group where they meet new people, further supporting their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and relaxed in their dealings with the childminder. They begin to understand their own needs and even young children make themselves known. For example, indicating to the childminder when they want to play with something specific. They begin to understand how to take some responsibility for their surroundings, willingly tidying up when they have finished with the dough activity. Information gained on the registration form and then verbally on a daily basis provides the childminder with sufficient information to ensure that their needs are effectively met. This includes details of any special needs or learning difficulties. Children gain an adequate understanding of other people in the world through some puzzles, books and activities that help them to begin to understand about different people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children's good behaviour is actively fostered by the childminder's positive reinforcement and praise. Children have some awareness of the expectations for behaviour even though they are very young. For example, they know to tidy up before they go out to play and are aware of the areas they can and cannot go within the home. They receive appropriate intervention and encouragement when playing together to enable them to share fairly and are praised frequently, successfully fostering their self-esteem. A positive working relationship with parents benefits children's care as information is shared effectively, which provides consistency for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care and well-being benefits from the childminder's positive attitude and good organisational skills. She has completed the required pre-registration course and has also undertaken further training to support her knowledge and understanding, which improves practice. The childminder's good understanding about ensuring that people in the household are vetted appropriately supports children's welfare. Space is used effectively. It is well organised to enable children to have plenty of free movement and still have a good amount of toys and equipment to make choices from. Their rest areas are separate to play areas which means that they can rest or sleep peacefully.

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Organisation

The childminder effectively shares her time between all of the children to ensure that they each receive sufficient attention and care. All required records are in place and very well organised to support the effective management of the provision. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 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): • continue to take positive steps to promote children's safety with regard to the pond in the garden and practising the fire evacuation procedure • develop further knowledge and understanding of child protection and the procedure to follow if there is a concern.

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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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