Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY289953 Unique Reference Number 25 February 2008 Inspection date Dianne Lynn Sadler 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and child aged six years in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding and 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding nine children aged two to nine years. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The family have a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy and are cared for appropriately in a clean, welcoming environment. There are good procedures in place for nappy-changing and all toys and equipment are kept in a clean condition. Children are beginning to learn the importance of simple good health and hygiene practices through daily routines. For example, they wash their hands before and after toileting to remove germs using liquid soap. They develop their independence well at this time

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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 by using a 'step-up' to the sink. Children are well cared for when they have an accident or become ill. The childminder has relevant permissions for her practice and maintains well-written records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They enjoy a varied range of meals, snacks and drinks that are healthy, offered by the childminder. For example, children enjoy a hot mid-day lunch and select fruit such as an apple for their snack. Children are offered drinks of no-added sugar squash and water at regular intervals and are able to ask for a drink throughout the day. This ensures they are well-hydrated. The childminder has a good awareness of special dietary requirements, which are discussed with parents and recorded well. This ensures children's individual dietary needs are met well and according to the wishes of parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise as they play in the garden and walk to and from school. They also enjoy visits to the park to feed the ducks. This helps them to learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. All children can relax by selecting quieter activities such as reading a book in the lounge. Babies have access to a travel cot or sleep in their pushchairs whilst older children sleep on the settee.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder uses the available space effectively to meet the children's needs and promote their development. Children benefit from a relaxed, homely environment where they can move around freely, safely and independently which helps them to settle and feel confident. The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised because the childminder takes positive steps to prevent accidents. For instance, all hazards both indoors and outdoors have been identified ensuring children are kept safe. Children are also learning to keep themselves safe. For instance, they discuss the emergency evacuation plan and they discuss and practise good road safety when outdoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of good quality furniture and play equipment suitable to meet their different needs. Toys are stored appropriately in toy boxes which are easily accessed by the children. This fosters their independence and allows them choice. The childminder uses effective methods to ensure that toys and resources are well maintained and rotates the toys that are available on a daily basis to ensure children have variety and use toys appropriate to their age and needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm and their welfare promoted effectively because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection. She follows a well written policy and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle and play well in the setting because the childminder is able to give them good support and lots of individual attention. They benefit from a stimulating and interesting environment in which they are happy, content and secure. Children are developing confidence and good self-esteem because the childminder uses praise and encouragement and values the children's efforts. They are also developing positive relationships and interact well with the childminder and visitors. The childminder provides a broad range of activities to help children's

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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 development in all areas of learning. However, she does not plan the children's next steps in learning, which may compromise the progress children make.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy their time in the childminder's home. They are well motivated and interested in activities and experiences that are purposeful, developing their imagination and independence. Some activities are planned and organised, whilst others are initiated by children themselves. For instance, children enjoy making Mother's Day cards decorating them with their hand prints. Younger children also enjoy building a track for the tractor and playing with farm animals. They confidently name the animals and pretend to feed them custard! Younger children are developing good language and communication skills. They thoroughly enjoy reading a book with the childminder about 'colours'. The childminder listens and values what children say whilst they confidently discuss events at home. She encourages their language well by asking questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected as individuals and treated with equal concern. The childminder takes care to ensure the environment and activities planned meet the needs of all children present. She organises her time effectively, giving good support and individual attention when needed. The childminder has a good knowledge of equality issues and understands that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and other professionals. Children are becoming aware of the wider society through some play resources which reflect positive images. For instance, games reflect disability and various books show positive images of different cultures such as 'Handa's surprise'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to behave appropriately. There are clear expectations and boundaries recorded in a well-written policy and children feel secure knowing what they can and cannot do. They are learning to share resources, take turns and play well together. Children benefit from receiving consistent verbal praise and encouragement and proudly take work home to their parents. This positively develops their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for and supported well by the childminder. She promotes positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with them to ensures children's individual needs are met appropriately. They receive care consistent with home. Parents are made welcome in the setting and information is shared daily. For instance, all parents benefit from accessing some well-written policies and procedures and an informative 'Welcome pack'. The childminder has a good understanding of how to manage complaints and has a system in place to record complaints made.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are met well through the effective use of space and resources. Children benefit from a stimulating and interesting environment, where resources are displayed and easily accessible. The childminder has a great deal of experience of caring for children and meeting their differing needs. She is willing to improve her knowledge and understanding by undertaking training, which ensures children are cared for by an appropriate adult. She has a high regard for the well-being of children and arrangements effectively promote their health, safety and enjoyment. Her supportive manner ensures children feel at home and at ease. They are confident and able to initiate their own 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 The childminder has implemented some well written policies, and all records and procedures are in place, and used effectively in practice. This actively promotes the welfare, care and learning of all children, according to the wishes of their parents. All documentation is shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. All documents are reviewed regularly and stored securely.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; improve fire safety precautions by providing smoke alarms on both floors which are maintained in working order and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now provides some play resources which reflect positive images of disability and different cultures and discusses all festivals and celebrations with children. This promotes their understanding of the wider world. There is also a smoke alarm on both floors of the premises in working order and the childminder obtains written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. This ensures children are cared for safely.

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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 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): • consider observing children's development and using the information to plan the next steps in children's learning.

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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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