Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341761 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2007 Inspection date Anne Archer 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 2006. She lives with her partner, one adult child and one 12-year-old child in Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house with the exception of the utility room is used for childminding with toileting and sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed back 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 one child under five fulltime and one child under five and three children over five on a part-time basis. The family has a dog and cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home where younger children are starting to learn the importance of hygiene and personal care during toilet training routines. Older children are

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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 reminded to wash their hands before eating food and after using the toilet. The childminder also ensures that work surfaces are clean before preparing and serving meals. This sustained level of hygiene helps to prevent the spread of infection. This is further enhanced because the childminder ensures that her pets' food and water bowls are not accessible to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements are met through close liaison between the childminder and parents. She is willing to provide all meals and snacks taking into account children's individual dietary needs, their likes and parents' wishes. This practice helps to promote children's healthy growth and development. Children have regular opportunities throughout the day to have a drink and a piece of fruit, ensuring they are well hydrated even in the warmest weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to get fresh air by walking to and from school or pre-school, walking in the nearby woods and park and by playing in the childminder's garden. They develop hand-to-eye co-ordination as they learn to cut pictures out of a catalogue and use a glue stick to fix them on their collage. Children participate in a range of activities to maintain and progress their physical development such as ball games, dancing and swimming. Children can rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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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 home where risks are identified and minimised. The premises are secure and the childminder ensures that safety measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations developing. For example, a safety gate is available for use at the bottom of the stairs when younger children are present to prevent them gaining unsupervised access to the stairs and children know they can not play on the kitchen floor when electrical appliances are in use. This enables children to move around safely and independently. Children are learning the importance of keeping safe by responding to guidelines set out by the childminder. For example, children learn about what to do in an emergency by practising the fire escape plan, to behave sensibly near roads and to cross them safely. However, the smoke alarm on the first floor was removed during recent redecoration and has not yet been replaced. This compromises children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's knowledge of local child protection recording and referral procedures and her understanding of her responsibilities for the children in her care. Children use appropriate toys, equipment, furniture and resources which support their play and development. The childminder regularly checks and cleans these to ensure they are safe and suitable for children to use and play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, content and settled in the childminder's care. They have opportunities to independently select toys and resources, building on their natural curiosity as learners as well as joining in planned activities. From discussion with parents and from her own observations, the childminder is very aware of the children's stage of development and offers appropriate encouragement and activities to support their learning. Children experience warm, caring relationships with the childminder which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder repeats familiar words to support younger children's language development.

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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 Children's creative development is promoted as they paint, draw, cut and stick. They use their imagination as they play with dressing up clothes. Younger children enjoyed helping an older child complete an alphabet puzzle and joined in a card matching game for a few minutes. They particularly like playing in the garden on the slide, pedal car and bikes and also enjoy playing ball games. They have regular outings to a local park and like tramping through the nearby woods looking for treasure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident in their relationship with the childminder because she clearly values and respects them as individuals. This promotes a sense of well-being and aids their emotional development. Children learn about the world around them from playing with toys and resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability and from the discussions that take place during walks in the local area. Children behave and respond well to the childminder's consistent behaviour management strategies that take account of children's stage of development, understanding and maturity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care, welfare and learning are promoted well because the childminder has developed positive working relationships with parents and carers. She shares her policies and procedures with them including how to make a complaint about the service she provides. Clear settling in procedures mean that children settle quickly and parents are able to confidently leave their children in the childminder's care. Information is exchanged daily and records of information updated regularly to ensure children's individual needs are met according to the parents or carers wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and at home in the childminder's care because she is fully aware of their individual routines and needs and plans each day accordingly. This good practice supports children's sense of wellbeing and promotes their emotional development. Space, routines and resources are organised effectively to meet children's needs and to ensure privacy for her family. Children are able to move about freely within the designated areas and develop their play and ideas in a safe, secure environment. Children independently select toys and resources from the range set out by the childminder in the conservatory and they receive adult support and encouragement during their play.

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Organisation

Children's care and welfare is safeguarded by appropriate documentation which is shared with parents and carers to ensure continuity of care. However, whilst the childminder shows a clear understanding of the records that she is required to keep and maintain she has not sought parents written consent to administer an antiseptic cream on grazes and scratches although its administration is clearly recorded in accident records and signed by parents. The children's care experience is enhanced by the past knowledge and experience gained by the childminder while previously working as a childminder and assisting at a pre-school setting. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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. 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 a smoke alarm which conforms to BS EN safety standards is fitted on the first floor and is maintained in working order • ensure prior written permission is given by parents before any medicine or other treatment is administered and that written records are kept of medicines administered and the parent signs the record to acknowledge the entry.

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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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