Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348105 Unique Reference Number 14 September 2007 Inspection date Dorcas Forgan 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?

This childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her three children aged 12, 11 and one year in Giffard Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding with sleep and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children and is currently minding four children aged four, six, seven and ten on a part time basis. The childminder collects children from local schools and takes children to the local parks and to story time in the library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children remain healthy because they are cared for in a warm clean home where the childminder has excellent standards of hygiene. The childminder has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures, which include a sickness policy. The children are learning the importance of personal hygiene. The childminder helps them to wash their hands thoroughly before eating meals and

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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 after placing tissues in the rubbish bin. They each have their own towels to minimise cross infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about eating healthily as they help to choose what they would like to eat when they return from school. The childminder provides meals and snacks for some of the children, which are nutritious. Some parents provide meals for their own children in lunch boxes, which they sit and eat along with the other children. These times are happy and relaxed; the childminder reminds children of their good manners and they chat amicably. Drinks are accessible throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from spending as much time as possible in the fresh air. They walk or ride their bikes home from school having stopped off at the playground for some physical exercise. The childminder plans activities so that they take place in the garden or with the lounge doors open. Children develop their physical skills in a variety of ways whilst outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe and secure in the ground floor of the childminders home where she makes good use of the available space. However, when the older children are upstairs, to use the bathroom they are unsupervised and are inclined to access other rooms, which could compromise their safety. The front garden gate is not secure. Children have easy access to toys and resources that are in the lounge and garden. The environment is bright and cheerful with children’s pictures displayed on the wall. The childminder has a good variety of toys and resources. She will be providing more when she understands the new children’s interests and abilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe and to have regard for other children’s safety; such as being careful when playing with small items that the youngest child cannot access them. They discuss with the childminder about riding bikes safely when out of the garden and the use of safety helmets. The childminder has attended additional training in safeguarding children from harm so has a clear understanding of her responsibilities towards them. Parents receive information about the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children who have been with the childminder for a little while are settled and at ease in the childminders home. The new children are becoming familiar with the surroundings and routines. The childminder plans activities to involve all of the children, such as making a large 3D map of the local area using junk boxes, scrap resources and glue. She encourages them to work together. The older children help and encourage the younger ones. Children instigate their own games such as dressing up in a Spider man suit or playing with action figures. They move freely in and out of the house choosing what they would like to play with, they investigate the play tent, the sand and the play dough, they use the large chalks to draw on the ground. The childminder encourages children to sit quietly and look at books, which some prefer. They can choose to do their homework in the quiet of the kitchen. By providing a selection of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities, the childminder is finding out about the individual children’s needs and interests. They are building a relaxed happy atmosphere where children can play confidently and interact with the childminder comfortably.

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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. The childminder explains fully to the children the daily routines so that they can be fully involved in the setting. They are beginning to express their own needs and realise that others have different needs. They are learning to be considerate and respect others. Children are finding out about the local community through practical activities and walks taken in the area. There are several cultures represented in the childminders home. She is enthusiastic about helping the children understand their own and other cultures; she has a good range of resources that promote diversity. The childminder has a basic understanding of how to care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, although none currently attends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have helped to devise the house rules, so that they understand them and why they have been set. The childminder is a good role model she is calm and patient she listens to the children and explains carefully what she expects of them. The childminder rewards positive behaviour and good work with stickers. Children make choices and decisions. They are learning to work well together, to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the partnership that is being formed between the childminder and their parents to ensure the care they receive is consistent. Parents receive an information pack at the beginning of the agreement. The adults exchange information at the start and end of the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s care is well organised. Effective use is made of the space where children play and relax. The childminder is in the process of developing a good routine to suit all of the children. The children’s welfare is paramount. Most of the documentation is in place though individual children’s paperwork is not very well organised and some is not in place. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she cares.

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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 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 that there are complete sets of forms for all individual children which include permission to gain medical advice or treatment in an emergency • ensure the front garden is made safe if it is used for play • ensure rooms on the first floor are safe or inaccessible.

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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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