Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346213 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Kim Wailling 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?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her partner and two children aged four and two in London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding. 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 a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and two children over five on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to school to take and collect children. The childminder attends local pre-school groups. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and nutritional needs are satisfactorily met. The childminder provides freshly prepared meals and snacks which the children enjoy. An awareness of good nutrition is fostered

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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 as children have the opportunity to grow, tend, harvest and prepare vegetables and fruits, such as tomatoes, from a selection of plants in the childminder's garden. Children's health needs, including possible allergies and dietary restrictions, are discussed before childminding starts. Everyday routines, such as hand washing, are carried out carefully so that children are protected from cross-infection. Appropriate documentation is kept to record the administration of medicines and accidents. In addition, the childminder has attended first aid training and keeps accessible well stocked first aid kits. However, the childminder has not sought permission from parents to authorise her to seek emergency treatment or for emergency treatment to be administered. This means that children's health, if they have an accident, is not fully protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical skills are adequately promoted. Children can use the childminder's well-maintained garden and are taken to local toddler groups which have a good range of climbing equipment and wheeled toys. Children can rest or sleep according to their needs as the day is organised to fit in with children's individual requirements. Consequently, children's health needs on an everyday level are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, bright and welcoming family home. The childminder has sought and acted upon safety guidance to ensure that potential hazards to children are minimised. For example, following a visit from a fire safety officer an existing smoke alarm was moved to another location and a second smoke alarm was installed. Children use age-appropriate equipment, such as car seats. They can move around freely indoors as the childminder has arranged furniture to create uncluttered spaces. Toys are stored safely and are within reach of children. However, the childminder is aware of the need to be vigilant and makes adaptations where necessary taking into account the children's ages. For example, toys with small pieces are stored out of the reach of babies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept in sight or hearing at all times, both in the childminder's home and when attending toddler groups. The childminder has a sound updated knowledge of child protection issues. Overall, systems in place to keep children safe whilst in the childminder's care generally work well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy because the childminder provides a relaxed environment in which they can feel at home. Consequently, they confidently access favourite toys and play contentedly. Children respond with delight to the childminder's natural manner. She is attentive and positively interacts with the children at all times. Children's development is supported in many appropriate ways. For example, children are positively shown how to do things such as learning how to thread pasta to make a necklace and holding and sharing a book. Children clearly enjoy this valuable interaction and from this develop their skills and understanding. In addition, there is a wide range of planned activities and events, such as outings to a children's farm, to support older children's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have ample opportunity to socialise with other children. They play with the childminder's own children, are taken to local toddler groups and to a 'pop in' club held in the local children's centre. As a result of the planned programme of activities and varied experiences that the childminder offers, children's development is being supported in an enjoyable way.

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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 satisfactory. Children are well supported in the transition between home and the childminder. Arrangements to settle children are negotiated taking into account the needs of the children and the requirements of parents and carers for flexible childcare. Information about the services that the childminder offers and the procedures she follows is discussed before childminding starts. However, information about how complaints made in writing are investigated, how outcomes are recorded and that this record can be seen, on request, by parents of minded children has not been shared. As a result, parents are not fully informed of factors that potentially impact on their children's well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is patient, kind and calm in her approach and children respond to her requests, for example, when asked they happily help her to tidy away toys. Children play well together. They are able to access resources, such as dolls and books that depict children with varying skin tones, which promotes their understanding of the wider community. The childminder is developing systems to note children's progress and events in their day so that parents are able to take an active part in their children's development.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall children's needs are met. The childminder efficiently organises her time. For example, the daily routine includes visits to toddler groups, meals, rest and collecting children promptly from school. This means that children are given a sense of security within a familiar pattern.

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Organisation

The childminder has established a comprehensive childminding portfolio that includes policies and information leaflets that aid the efficient and safe management of the setting. In addition, most records that promote the welfare and care of children are in place. The childminder has undertaken an approved first aid training course and a local authority approved childminding registration course. She intends to book further training to develop her existing knowledge of childcare and to continue to meet children's changing needs.

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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): • obtain parental permission to seek emergency assistance and to authorise the administration of emergency treatment in the event of illness or an accident to their children • improve systems to share information with parents, with reference to how complaints made in writing are investigated, how outcomes are recorded and the availability of the complaints record.

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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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