Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347763 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2007 Inspection date Melanie Calway 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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15, 10 and two years in Wisbech, in Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks and drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children and takes children on regular outings to a music group and a childminding group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children, one of whom attends on a full-time basis. The family have a dog, a cat and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and belongs to a local childminding network.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well because there are good hygiene procedures in place. Children are reminded to wash their hands before eating and after touching pets and so are learning about good hygiene through the daily routine. A step stool and child toilet seat are provided in the downstairs toilet to promote children's independence. Nappies are dealt with hygienically as the childminder uses disposable gloves and each child uses an individual changing mat to minimise the risk of cross-infection. The home is clean and well-maintained and toys are cleaned regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical needs are met as the childminder has a current first aid qualification and keeps a first aid kit in the kitchen so that she can deal with minor accidents and injuries appropriately. An accurate record of all accidents and existing injuries is maintained. There is a system for recording the administration of medicines, which is completed correctly. The childminder obtains information from parents on caring for children’s medical needs. Consent has been obtained from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice so that she can seek help in the event of an emergency. Children are protected from the risk of infection as the childminder has clear sickness procedures, including a list of exclusion periods and notifiable diseases. Children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs. They can sleep undisturbed in a travel cot in the living room. Each child has individual bedding to minimise the risk of

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Helping children to be healthy

cross-infection. Children have regular opportunities for exercise and fresh air as they can play in the garden when they want to, during fine weather, and go on regular outings to local farms or to a nearby playground. The garden is well equipped with physical activities for children. Inside they are able to move about freely and enjoy music and dance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder offers them a healthy snack of fruit or bread sticks and a balanced diet is offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner for those children who want it. A weekly menu is supplied for parents so that they are aware of what is available. Children are able to reach their drinks from the kitchen table.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in premises which are safe and suitable. The doors are locked while children are present and the rear is fully enclosed so that children are kept secure. Children have plenty of room to move and play freely and there is a large outside area where children can play safely. The environment is made welcoming as the conservatory is a dedicated play room where toys are kept in baskets and on low shelves so that they are easily accessible to children. Posters are displayed to make the environment inviting. Toys are appropriate for the age group and checked regularly for hygiene and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as the childminder maintains a good level of supervision and a baby monitor is used to check on sleeping children. Children can explore their environment safely as all the kitchen cupboards have catches on them and a stairgate prevents children from accessing the hall or the first floor. The childminder watches where children are and reminds them to be careful as they play, occasionally giving them explanations. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder takes her phone with her, which has all the emergency contact numbers in as well as a first aid kit. Children are kept in buggies or on reins to keep them safe

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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 when walking. All the necessary permissions for outings and transport have been obtained from parents. Children are beginning to learn about road safety as they learn to wait for the green man before crossing the road. Children are well protected from the risk of fire as there is a written fire evacuation plan which is clearly displayed. Necessary fire equipment such as fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place. Smoke alarms are tested weekly and a record kept and the evacuation procedure is practised regularly with children so that they learn what to do in the event of a fire. Drills are clearly recorded and the childminder notes children's reactions to enable her to help them respond appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder is aware of her duty to report any child protection concerns and she makes parents aware of this in her child protection policy. She also keeps a record of existing injuries. She has up to date information on child protection procedures and plans to attend training to develop her knowledge in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities. They attend a local childminding group and a music group to help them to socialise every week as well as regular outings to a local farm and butterfly park. They also walk to a nearby play park. Inside they can choose freely from a good range of appropriate toys which are stored in plastic baskets at floor level and on low shelves around the conservatory which serves as a dedicated play room. Toys are rotated regularly to give children variety. Children enjoy sticking and gluing at the kitchen table. Outside they can play with the rocker, slide and play house. Older children enjoy activities including games, cookery and gardening. The childminder lifts up young children to the kitchen sink to wash their hands and dries their hands for them and children are not able to access fresh drinking water independently so their independence is not fully promoted at these times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder sits with children, at their level, and involves herself in their play, giving them smiles and eye-contact and chatting to them to encourage their language development. She sits with them while they do sticking activities at the kitchen table and sits on the floor with them in the play room building with construction bricks. She joins them at snack time at the kitchen table which is a pleasant social occasion. She chats to them and asks them questions to extend their play, asking who they are talking to on the phone. Children's self-esteem is fostered as they are given plenty of praise and encouragement. Children are forming positive relationships with the childminder and with each other. They play happily together throughout the morning. Children can choose books to read while they cuddle up with the childminder. Children's independence is generally well promoted. They are encouraged to tidy toys up before

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

getting new ones out and even young children are able to achieve this. They are given choices about what to play with and they are able to fetch their own changing mat. The childminder makes observations of children's play which she keeps in folders along with photographs of them at play so that an attractive record is kept of their development and their achievements to share with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children under three are cared for appropriately. The childminder has attended training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework pack and is beginning to use it to record children's development. Young children are given opportunities to explore and investigate through messy play and are given comfort and reassurance when they need it.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well as the childminder gathers good information from parents about their care. She provides parents with a sheet asking for detailed information about their individual needs so that she is able to offer them appropriate care. New parents and children visit the setting and are shown the activities on offer. Some resources reflect other cultures but the range of resources reflecting other cultures and life-styles, to enable children to learn about the wider world, is limited. Children are given appropriate support. Although the childminder has not yet cared for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities she would work with parents to ensure that all children's differing needs could be met and seek training to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in the childminder's care as she has consistent boundaries so that children know what is expected of them. Her house rules are positively worded and include a pictorial version for younger children. Children are reminded of the rules and are praised to encourage good behaviour. Her behaviour policy provides clear information for parents so they are aware of her approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for effectively because the childminder has a good relationship with parents. She provides clear and useful information in the form of policies and procedures, copies of which are given to parents. She invites parents to comment on her service by means of a comments book and a parent questionnaire. Children's folders, including observations, their work and photographs are shared with parents on a regular basis to keep them in touch with their children's progress and development. Daily diaries are used to exchange information about the day to day care of the children and parents are encouraged to contribute to these. There is a clear complaints procedure and the complaints record had been set up in line with regulations. Ofsted's number is displayed in the play room in case a parent should want to contact the regulator.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is a suitable person to care for children. She and her household have the necessary clearances . A list of people in the household is available for parents to see and the childminder has a clear policy on not allowing any persons without clearances to be left alone with children. She is booked on training courses to develop her knowledge and skills and keeps in touch with childcare issues through her local childminding support group and an experienced childminding 'buddy', who acts as a mentor.

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Organisation

The premises and daily schedule are well organised to ensure children's safety and well-being and to give them a range of interesting experiences. An accurate record of children's hours of attendance is kept.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation is in place and is maintained in an orderly and accessible manner. Useful information is kept for reference and written policies show clearly how the service operates. Children's records enhance the care they receive and good use is made of photographs to record children's development and share this with parents. Overall children's needs are met.

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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

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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): • encourage children's independence with regard to hand washing and enabling them to access fresh drinking water • provide play materials which reflect diversity and show positive images of people from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

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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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