Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY258267 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2007 Inspection date Anne Schurek 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and six. They live in the town of Sandy. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding two children who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local library, the local park and wildlife area plus planned outings outside of the town. The family has a dog and goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well-maintained environment. They are highly protected from the risk of spread of infection through the childminder's very high standards

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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 of cleanliness within the home. Children are beginning to develop good personnel hygiene awareness, for example, they wash their hands after using the toilet or stroking the dog. However, this is compromised to some extent at snack times because children do not always wash their hands before snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. They are provided with healthy snacks and drinks which are taken within the daily routine. The childminder takes account of the parents' and children's wishes to ensure that meals and snacks are in line with any dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to enjoy the benefits of physical exercise. They have access to a fully enclosed garden enabling them to run and play in fresh air. In addition, they regularly visit parks and go for walks to feed the ducks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder efficiently undertakes daily checks of the environment prior to children's attendance. Children always remain within the childminder's sight and hearing at all times. Children are able to move around the home and garden and explore and take risks in a safe, controlled environment. Space and resources are organised to allow maximum free space for children to enjoy and access safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a generally effective range of safety measures. For example, stair gates, socket covers and a range of fire safety equipment. However, as the childminder does not practise the emergency escape plan with all children this compromises their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's welfare is well-protected because the childminder has a thorough knowledge of her responsibilities regarding safeguarding children. There is a written policy in place to support this and the childminder has made sure that she has all the necessary information and paperwork to enable her to record, report and follow up any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and comfortable in the environment and make themselves at home. Children are enthusiastically enjoying their time at the childminder's and benefiting from the positive relationships with both the childminder and each other. She always remembers to sit at the children's level joining in with their play and conversations and showing genuine interest and further enhancing children's confidence and self-esteem. For example, the childminder joins children in shape sorting, talking about the colours and shapes they are using. Older children play more independently in the home and the childminder is aware of where they are and what they are doing but does not intervene in their play until asked to do so or an incident occurs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has produced a daily activity planner and has a good understanding of the role of play in children's development and learning. This ensures that children enjoy a varied range of activities which include music sessions, imaginary play, art and crafts and regular outings in the local community. The childminder has a sound understanding of the 'Birth to

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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 three matters' framework using this with growing confidence to inform her planning of children's daily play and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are treated with equal concern and receive appropriate individual care because their needs are well known to the childminder. Children gain an understanding of people from other cultures and those with differing needs, using interesting toys and resources and visits to the local community. There are no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in attendance at present, however the childminder fully supports the inclusion of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are encouraged to acquire new skills and form good relationships with the childminder. They are treated as part of the family, which helps them to be happy, confident and have high levels of self-esteem. Children are encouraged to be independent and make decisions. They choose what they want to play with and take responsibility for tasks, such as tidying up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good due to the childminder's consistent approach in promoting positive behaviours. House rules are used to ensure that all children are supported by the same rules. The childminder uses effective methods for managing behaviour. For example, disagreements that happen over toys are dealt with fairly, sensitively and with clear explanations of sharing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an approachable and professional manner and develops good working relationships with parents in order to promote continuity of children's care. She has daily conversations with parents to ensure they are kept fully informed of their children's routine and holistic progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, children's needs are met. Children feel part of an extended family and are comfortable, secure in this well-organised and inviting environment. Children confidently initiate and extend their own learning and play in an imaginative way.

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Organisation

The childminder effectively uses her written procedures and routines to successfully promote the welfare, care and learning of all children. The childminder has all the necessary parental permissions in place in order to safeguard and promote children's welfare. She shares all records appropriately with parents, promoting close working relationships and continuity of care for children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge of the Area Child Protection Committee; keep an accurate record of each child's address and GP details; request written permission from parents to the seeking of any necessary emergency treatment or advice and ensure that she is familiar with the requirement to contact Ofsted with any significant event.

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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 The childminder has developed her knowledge on the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) policy which replaced the local Area Child Protection Committee. Written parental permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and an accurate record of each child's address and their GP is in place. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to notify Ofsted of any significant events. This ensures that children are protected and their well-being is promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • increase opportunities for children to understand and take responsibility for personal hygiene, such as hand washing • practise the emergency escape plan.

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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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