Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347368 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2007 Inspection date Judith Harris 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 partner and two year old son in South Molton in North Devon. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library and the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any onetime and is currently minding four children under five at different times in the week and two children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools The family has a cat and two kittens.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is clearly very well supported by the childminder’s good health and hygiene routines. Appropriate health and hygiene guidelines are followed and the childminder's home

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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 is clean and good hygiene is well maintained. Children are beginning to learn effective personal hygiene skills through the successful routines used with them. Children go to wash their hands before snacks and meals and after toileting. The childminder supervises them to ensure hands are properly clean. The childminder use appropriate nappy changing routines and ensures that the changing mat is thoroughly cleaned after each use. Children wash their hands after touching animals and when they come in from outdoor play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy balanced meals, drinks and snacks. The childminder takes information from parents about any dietary restrictions children may have. She ensures that she provides meals that meet children's individual needs. Children have fresh fruit everyday and the older children are encouraged to help prepare snacks. The childminder ensures that children have drinks available while they play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily outdoor activities in the garden and at local parks. They can play on ride-on toys in the garden or with the sand. At the park they have space to run and play. Children who need to have rest and sleep times within the daily routine. Babies sleep in the spare bedroom in a travel cot and older children sleep in play room. The childminder ensures that individual children's needs are clearly met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a clean well organised home where they can move around safely and have areas for different types of play. Children have messy and creative activities in the kitchen where they sit safely at the table. In the sitting room children have clear floor space for construction and imaginative play with small world toys. The childminder has carried out risk assessments on the home to and taken steps to minimise any risks. She has provided a good range of safety and fire safety equipment. The high levels of supervision ensure children are kept safe inside the home, in the garden and on outings. The youngest children travel in the tandem buggy and the older children hold hands to walk or wear reigns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carefully monitors the children's choice of toys and equipment to ensure that they only play with resources that are safe and suitable for their age. The childminder talks to the children about how they use the toys and equipment to ensure they are used safely and appropriately. There are good systems for keeping toys and equipment safe and clean.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Children are protected from harm because the childminder is familiar with the procedures for recording and reporting child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and at home with the childminder; they have warm caring relationships with her. They are secure and developing good levels of independence suitable to their ages. Children have a sticking activity; they use glue and collage materials freely and confidently. Children are interested and involved in the activity and keen to show their achievements. Children can choose what to play with from the range of play equipment and resources available. The childminder uses the toy library to extend her range of toys and she has plenty of paint and glue and collage for creative activities. The children have a good range of well planned activities and experiences that allow them to explore and investigate, to be creative and to develop

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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 problem solving skills. The childminder makes excellent use of her interaction with the children to challenge them and extend their learning. They count together up and down stairs. The childminder counts the pieces of fruit the children have at snack time. Children build a tower with bricks and the childminder names the colours and asks children to find a yellow brick. Children are carefully supported by the childminder to finish a puzzle and the childminder enthusiastically praises all their achievements. The childminder has very good daily routines. She plans times for different types of activities and time for meals and rest. The children are taken on outings to the local park and to local groups and the toy library. The childminder is not currently familiar with the Birth to three matters framework; however she is aware that

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

training is available from her local childminding network.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and at home with the childminder where they have a clear sense of belonging. The childminder ensures that all children are treated with equal concern. All children are able to access the play equipment and resources and activities are adapted so that children of all ages can take part. The childminder takes a good amount of information for all children. This supports her to ensure that she knows each child well and clearly understands their individual needs. Children take part in activities that help them gain an understanding of the wider world. The children have access to play equipment and resources that show positive images of people from different cultures. The childminder talks to the children about the food they eat and the different places in the world it comes from. The childminder is happy to consider caring for a child with learning difficulties and disabilities. However she is aware of the higher levels of care

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Helping children make a positive contribution

a child may need. The childminder would want to ensure she was able to continue to fully meet the needs of all the children in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and the childminder supports positive behaviour by keeping children busy with activities. Children are actively supported to make choices about what they want to play with. This allows them to develop good levels of independence and to begin to develop skills for self control. The childminder uses very positive behaviour management strategies. She is calm and gentle; she talks to the children encouraging them to play co-operatively. The childminder talks to the children about sharing and taking turns with the toys and uses distraction very effectively. If there were any ongoing problems the childminder would talk to the parents and look at any underlying causes that may affect a child's behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents to build good professional relationships. She records all essential information and ensures that she effectively shares all records with parents. The childminder provides daily written reports for each child with information about the child's day. She talks with parents daily to share information and to talk about the children's changing needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children play in well organised play space in which they are comfortable and safe. Children are able to move around safely and with confidence. They can easily access toys and equipment that are suitable for their ages. Children have drinks with them while they play.

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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 Children's records and a daily register are in place and up to date. There are medication and accident records and contracts for all children. The childminder's records are very well organised and she ensures they are kept in a confidential manner.

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Organisation

The childminder talks to parents about how she will care for the children at admission. She uses daily contact sheets to keep parents informed and has daily discussions with parents ensure she continues to meet the children’s individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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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 records 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): • become familiar with the Birth to three matters framework and use it to support practice.

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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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