Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265459 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2007 Inspection date Angela Cole 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, five and two years. The family home is a semi-detached, three bedroom house in the Longlevens area of the city of Gloucester. There is an enclosed, rear garden for outdoor play with grass, path and paved areas. The whole of the childminder’s house, except for the main bedroom, is registered for childminding. The family has a small dog and four guinea pigs as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder occasionally works with her mother as her assistant. She is registered to care for four children at any one time. The childminder is currently minding two children under five years who attend on a full and part-time basis and one child over five years before and after school. She also cares for children over eight years of age.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to infant and junior schools to take and collect children. She takes children to visit the nearby play park, other childminders' homes, a playgroup and toddler sessions. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is on the committee of a local, childminding group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children have appropriate opportunities to learn the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They have regular access to fresh air and exercise in the spacious garden with large and small play equipment, such as ride-ons and balls. They go on daily walks to school and enjoy visits to parks and woods. They have some opportunities to be active indoors, playing with balls, cardboard boxes and a tent.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is generally well promoted in the clean, warm home. The care of the pets is appropriate and discussed with parents to ensure children's health. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through well-planned routines that include regular handwashing. Accident documentation provides an accurate record of accidents involving children. However, an item in the new first aid kit is not in date and not all records of medication given to children are signed by parents to ensure consistency of care. Children are treated appropriately if they are ill to prevent the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have regular access to milk or water and feel confident to ask for a drink when they are thirsty. The childminder takes suitable account of parents’ wishes and children’s choices to provide balanced meals and snacks that regularly include fresh fruit and vegetables. These appeal to children and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children benefit from the safe, child-orientated environment. The premises are tidy and well maintained throughout. There is a suitable selection of regularly checked toys and equipment available that are age appropriate and provide appropriate challenge for babies and older children. A range of resources are readily available and on view to attract the children’s attention when they arrive. Children develop some independence as they select resources from containers that the childminder gets ready for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe environment as the childminder has taken appropriate steps to minimise potential hazards, such as fitting stairgates and placing child locks on drawers. They cannot leave unsupervised as the house and garden are secure. They move safely as the childminder closely supervises the children and reminds them of potential risks, including safe use of the stairs. The childminder frequently monitors sleeping children to ensure their well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe as they practise leaving the house in an emergency and learn aspects of road safety when on outings. The childminder holds current certificates in first aid and child protection. Her sound understanding of these, and of the child protection procedures, contributes to safeguarding the children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy and enjoy their play. They benefit from regular outings with the childminder who follows a flexible routine based around their care needs, quiet and active times. Children are involved in a satisfactory range of activities to progress in each area of their

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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. They develop their early language skills in conversation, looking at books and recognising their name on placemats. They are interested and want to play with what is available, including jigsaws that they complete, and blocks which they stack and count.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities for younger children are set out for them so they choose from what is available. These include some drawing materials and children occasionally access other creative media, such as paint and glue. Children begin to use their imagination as they role play with vehicles, dress up and pretend to serve meals. They have some opportunities to explore as they look through coloured materials, listen to birds and find spiders which 'eat the flies'. They visit interesting places, such as a forest and a chocolate-making factory.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit from a warm relationship with the childminder. She gets down on their level to play and offers encouragement through open questions to help them think. For example, they recall singing at a children's group and learn the actions for different animals. She observes the children informally to offer appropriate activities and listens to their requests for later play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle and gain good self-esteem as the childminder effectively knows their individual needs and cares for them with equal concern. They relate well to the childminder and regularly visit local children’s groups where they learn to socialise and share. Children often make decisions, for example, deciding what to play and initiating activities of their own, such as ‘sleeping’ by dolls on the settee. The childminder ensures that resources positively represent children who attend as well as individuals from the wider community. She also helps children to recall seeing people with disabilities in the neighbourhood. As a result, children develop a more positive attitude to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children receive effective support to behave well. This is because the childminder manages their responses calmly and uses much praise and encouragement. The children learn to be polite and helpful, for example, taking turns with a wheeled toy and offering to push younger ones. Activities, such as watching the guinea pigs drinking and feeding ducks in the park, effectively teach them a sense of responsibility and care of living things.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops good relationships with families. She takes time to get to know new parents so children are looked after in close accordance with their wishes. Information is regularly exchanged in daily conversation about children's care and their activities, and parents of young children may choose to use a diary to further enhance the communication. Families are well informed about their child’s progress through, for example, work taken home and sheets with photographs about children's achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder maintains neat, accessible documentation to support children's safety and welfare. This includes an up-to-date register with the actual times children attend, though there is no record of when her assistant helps to care for children. A log for any complaint is set up to include the necessary information. The childminder has due regard for confidentiality and most individual, health records are signed by parents to ensure consistency of children's care.

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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 is suitably experienced to care for children. She is open to new ideas and frequently updates her training so children receives appropriate support to settle and develop. Children are appropriately protected from those who have not had clearance by the childminder and her assistant. The childminder manages full and part-time attendance patterns effectively to ensure that children receive suitable adult attention.

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Organisation

The childminder uses the indoor spaces appropriately to meet children’s needs and provides safe, ready access to the garden to develop their physical activities. Children enjoy frequent outings and access a range of appropriate play opportunities on regular visits to childminder's homes and a weekly children's group. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended that the childminder improved procedures regarding children's hygiene and to obtain written permission from parents regarding transport. The childminder has now ensured good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing using individual towels. This has improved the children's understanding about personal hygiene. She now obtains written permission from parents before transporting children in her vehicle, ensuring that the children's care closely follows parents' wishes.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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 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 the record of medication given to children is signed by parents • ensure the contents of the first aid box comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid Regulations) • keep a clear record of adults in charge of children on a daily basis.

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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 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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