Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345266 Unique Reference Number 09 July 2007 Inspection date Rosemary Davies 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 registered in 2007. She lives with her daughter, who is of pre-school age. Their home is a three bedroomed, detached house in the north Swindon area, Wiltshire. Shops, a park, library, toddler groups and other amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder can take children to, and collect them from, local schools and pre-schools. The family keeps a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children use the entire house. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Her registration permits her to care for five children under the age of eight years, at any one time. She currently minds three children aged from one to six years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children use an extremely clean home environment in which the childminder takes every care to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children know they must wash their hands after using

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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 the toilet, using fresh, individual hand towels each time. The home is cleaned and vacuumed thoroughly and frequently. Very good procedures are used to keep pets healthy and clean. The childminder provides parents with clear information about her duty to keep Ofsted informed of notifiable illnesses and makes them fully aware of when children cannot come to her, owing to illness. She has a suitable first aid qualification but has not sought permission from parents for emergency care and treatment, should this be required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take regular fresh air and exercise. They benefit from daily walks in the area and often visit the nearby play park. This offers a range of equipment suitable for all minded children, which helps them develop skills in climbing and balancing, including older children who attend after school. Children eat healthy meals and snacks when with this childminder. She works closely with parents to discover children's individual dietary needs and accommodates these. Children drink according to their needs, with the childminder encouraging children to take extra water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in an extremely well maintained and welcoming home. They access good quality toys and resources easily, as these are kept at child level. The childminder has a wide range of equipment and resources, which suit all ages of children she minds, including those of school age. These are kept in a well-organised storage cupboard in the sitting room, so different games and materials can be produced quickly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder pays good attention to the security of her home. She checks the identity of visitors carefully and locks doors. Children are kept under close supervision at all times. She understands the principle of risk assessment and has identified potential hazards to children's safety, well. She does all she can to minimise these, such as preventing the youngest children from entering the kitchen and placing safety catches on cupboard doors, so that older children do not touch cleaning liquids. She does not always remember to replace socket covers after using plugs, however. Fire precautions are good with very good emergency plans in place. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, being told not to tip chairs and hearing why this is dangerous. The childminder keeps children safe when walking in the locality, making sure she takes the safest routes to and from schools and toddler groups. She understands her

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

responsibilities for safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time playing in this childminder's home. They make their own decisions about what to play with and for how long. They often become absorbed in their pretend play, making up scenarios such as 'being hairdressers' or 'taking babies for walks'. The childminder interacts well with the children, extending their play and providing other resources when needed. Children develop their conversation skills and vocabularies well, hearing new words as the childminder talks with them. She is skilful in introducing early mathematical vocabulary, asking children if they wish to play with the 'big car' or the 'little car', for example. She promotes all areas of their development well. This includes taking them to the library to choose books and hear stories. She uses the 'Birth to three matters' guidance to plan for the youngest children but as yet does not fully plan aims of activities. Children enjoy a wide range of 'messy' play,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

such as cooking, collage, painting and cutting. They experience well- balanced routines, so

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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 that their welfare needs are met well. Relationships between the childminder and children are good, with children readily approaching her for comfort if needed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all children. Whilst she has had no experience of individuals with learning difficulties or disabilities, she is very willing to try to accommodate such children. She treats all children as individuals, giving equal attention and balancing the varying demands made on her, well. Children get to know the locality through walks to the library, shops and toddler groups, meeting people from different families and backgrounds. Children use some resources that offer positive images of our diverse society, such as books, but there are few other items that do so.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder takes a consistent approach, so that children understand what is expected of them. She provides parents with written details of her childminding methods and takes time to find out about the children's home lives, so that similar methods are used and routines followed. This helps children settle in quickly. Parents receive lots of useful information about their children's development, what they do and experience when in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a committed and professional approach to her work, despite only minding for a short time since becoming registered. She has taken all required training to date and is clear about what future courses she intends to take, which will further improve her practice. She organises her home appropriately for childminding purposes and manages her time very well. The majority of required records, registers and permissions are in place, although she is uncertain as to how long some records must be kept. Documentation is kept confidentially, securely and ready for inspection. It is particularly well organised. Paperwork includes a full range of written policies. These are shared with parents. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities towards the children she looks after and ensures children are not left alone with persons who have not been police checked. The childminder meets the

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Organisation

needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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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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 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): • seek parental permission to obtain emergency medical care or attention • extend the range of resources which promote positive images of a diverse society.

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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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