Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY217005 Unique Reference Number 05 September 2007 Inspection date Jan Healy Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and child aged 8 years in the village of Hartland, near Bideford in Devon. Her husband is registered as an assistant childminder who occasionally has sole charge of the children. The ground floor of the premises is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for three children between two and four years.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has exceptional understanding with regard to health and hygiene and about how to protect the children in her care from cross infection. She keeps herself up to date about the health risks to children from her local environmental health department, retaining the

p.2

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 advice offered and sharing it with the parents. Superior hand and drying facilities help to prevent the spread of germs and the children are taught about the importance of, and how to wash and dry their hands thoroughly. Paper tissues are readily available for the children to use when blowing their nose and they are taught the reason to cover their mouth when coughing. A designated nappy changing area is cleaned after each use with an anti-bacterial agent, and soiled nappies are immediately disposed of. Items provided by the parents, such as teething rings are labelled, so they are not shared. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has extremely good knowledge about the procedure to follow in the event of an accident. Parents are kept informed about any injury to their child and details are recorded, so efforts

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

are made to eliminate accidents. The sandpit is an important play opportunity, which the children relish. It is, however, checked regularly for any debris and is sifted to remove any foreign bodies. Medication is stored out of the children's reach and is administered according to the parents' wishes. Parents are requested to keep sick children at home. Children who become ill during their stay, are separated and are swiftly reunited with their parents, to protect the good health of the other children in the group.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has comprehensive knowledge about providing the children with a healthy and nutritious diet. She keeps herself up to date with food handling practices, by keeping in contact with her local environmental health department, seeking and retaining their advice. Crockery, utensils and surfaces are thoroughly cleaned before the preparation of foods, which are stored appropriately, to prevent any items from spoiling. The children have the advantage of using age appropriate crockery, which helps to further their independence. Mealtimes are relaxed and sociable occasions, when the children sit together at a dining room table and have the opportunity to chat to each other about events that are important to them. This not only helps to enhance their vocabulary, but also helps to promote their social skills. Food provided by the parents is thoroughly re-heated if necessary and any partly eaten food is not re-offered,

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

but sent home, so the parents know exactly how much the children have eaten. Manufacturer's recommendations are followed when preparing baby foods and bottles are sterilised after each use. Fresh drinking water is readily available, which the older children have independent access to, whilst the younger children are provided regular fluids, to prevent them from becoming dehydrated.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children have the benefit of entering a warm and welcoming home, where their artwork adorns the walls and their models are sensitively displayed. They have the advantage of a designated playroom, which is bright and airy and there is ample space for the children to take part in both floor and table top activities. A wide range of learning posters are mounted, including numbers, colours and a map of the world. The home is safe and secure, with locks fitted to doors and windows, to prevent the access of unwanted visitors. Consideration is given to the temperature of the home, so the children remain comfortable at all times. There is a nappy changing area, which is meticulously clean. A changing mat is cleansed thoroughly after each use and there is always warm water available for the washing of hands. A fully enclosed outdoor play area, enables the children to take part in physical activities in safety. Community

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

facilities found in the local park are checked for any damage before use, to prevent injury.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The furniture, equipment and resources, help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are safe, clean and well maintained. Broken or damaged toys are discarded for the children's safety. The playroom and outdoor play area, contains a considerable range of play materials, which enable the children to progress in their learning and development. The

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 are able to develop their own ideas, particularly with the art and craft resources, as there is a substantial range of feathers, sequins and glitter, as well as paper and card freely available. The children use such resources, to create artwork of their choice. They are taught about the benefit of using recyclable material, such as boxes to build models. Safety equipment, such as pushchairs and wrist straps, are available for outings and booster seats are used when transporting the children in a vehicle.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are safe whilst in the care of the childminder, as she takes appropriate measures to eliminate accidents. All toys and resources conform to British health and safety standards. A written risk assessment is used to check all equipment and resources, for any safety hazards. Any items which are damaged, are either discarded or repaired. Low-level glass is made safe using a film covering and child proof locks are fitted to the low-level kitchen units, so the children are unable to access dangerous items. Hot liquids, such as tea and coffee are kept out of the children's reach to prevent scalding. There are no trailing wires or leads, which may cause a trip hazard. The smoke detectors are regularly checked, to ensure they are in good working order, so the childminder is swiftly made aware of impending danger. The children are taught to leave the premises quickly in the event of a fire, which they frequently practise. When on

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

outings to the local park, the children wear high visibility vests, so they can be clearly seen at all times. Drivers of cars can also clearly see the children, when they are taken for walks. The children have the benefit of booster seats and restraints when travelling in a vehicle. A mobile telephone and first aid box is taken, as well as a spare set of clothes, for the event of an accident.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder complies with the Local Children's Safeguarding Board, as she is committed to the protection of the children in her care. Their safety and welfare is paramount, therefore, she keeps herself up to date with current legislation through the attendance of training courses. She is very aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is trained in the art of active listening, keeping records of any allegations made. The children are taught about how to keep themselves safe and the art of saying 'no' when necessary. Written details are retained about the contact number for her local social service office and police station. A record of existing injuries is retained with an explanation being requested from parents.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder and the children share a warm and affectionate relationship. The childminder is proactive in planning a broad range of activities, which are stimulating and interesting, which attract the children's curiosity. Activities promote the children's emotional, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social development and are age appropriate. Therefore, the children are motivated to learn, as they receive pleasure and delight in their play. They develop their autonomy and their disposition to learn, as they are guided towards purposeful and innovative activities, which help the children to enhance their creative freedom. The children are able to choose to work alone, with the childminder or with the other children in the group, as they have the autonomy to freely make this choice. Imaginative activities, including pretend play, enable the children to enhance their thinking skills, as they make use of dressing up clothes

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and props to be characters of their choice. Outings are taken to the local library, where the children select a wide range of story and resource books, which they share with the childminder, which helps to stimulate the children's interest in literature. They go to Bude, where they select shells from the beach, which they use to make collages. They go for walks around their local environment and join in with the village carnival. Days out to 'The Big Sheep' are eagerly awaited, as the children revel in the sheep races, dog and duck trials and learn about the care of small animals, such as rabbits, gerbils and guinea pigs.

p.4

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

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are valued and are cared for in a happy environment, where they are free from discrimination. The childminder sets time aside to talk to the parents about the needs of the children and finds out about their culture, religion and belief, so she is able to plan a broad range of activities to aid their development. The childminder is committed to equality and provides a wide range of resources, which reflect positive images of diversity, including dressing up clothes, posters and books. They are taught that what they have to say is equally important to what others have to say, and to listen carefully.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware of and has reasonable knowledge that there are some children who suffer with a learning difficulty. Therefore, she works in partnership with the parents in the identification of such an individual need. She has some understanding about how to organise the environment and about the importance of planning a suitable range of activities to aid their progress and to ensure the children take part at a level appropriate to their needs. Further knowledge and understanding with regard to learning difficulties, however, would help to further the children's development.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is able to manage a wide range of behaviour in a way that promotes their welfare and development. A written policy is shared with the parents, so they are aware of the methods in place, so consistency is applied. Desirable behaviour is rewarded with smiles and positive body language. Unwanted behaviour is ignored as far as safety will allow, so the children do not learn that they will receive adult attention when displaying undesirable behaviour. Ground rules are in place, which the children abide to, such as sitting during mealtimes, so they do not choke on their food and to be kind and to show respect to each other.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder and parents share a friendly and professional relationship, with the welfare of the children being paramount. Each parent is provided an introductory leaflet, detailing information about the childminder, her family and about her home, so they are able to make an informed decision as to whether the provision will be suitable. A copy of all the childminder's written policies, statements and procedures are freely available, providing the parents with in-depth information, for example, about how the children will learn through play, how discipline will be managed and about how the children will remain safe at all times. Written contracts are updated to incorporate any changes that occur. A settling in period is negotiated and both parties share relevant information about the children's routines, likes and dislikes and about any details which will have an impact on the children's care arrangements. Parents are kept up

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

to date about how their children are progressing and about any concerns identified, so further plans are implemented to accommodate their changing development. Details about how to raise a concern are clearly visible, however, the parents report that they are extremely happy with the care provided.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has five years experience of caring for young children and holds a relevant qualification in childcare. Therefore, she has good knowledge about child development and about how young children learn. The childminder has extensive knowledge about the National Standards and has the ability to meet them. The children receive warm and consistent care and are protected from adults who are not vetted. The childminder is well organised, planning a suitable range of

p.5

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 activities for each child's individual needs. An attendance register contains details of the children's times of arrival and departure, so they are accounted for in an emergency. The adult: child ratio is maintained at all times, so the children receive the adult support they require. A contingency plan is in place, for the event of an emergency, as the childminder has an assistant, approved by the parents, to provide the help necessary. All records are freely available for inspection, so historical checks can be made. Documentation is stored confidentially, to protect the children's personal details.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder was requested to ensure her vetting procedures were on file and readily available for inspection. This is now in place, so checks can be made. She was also requested to ensure the water butt in the outdoor play area, did not pose a hazard to the children. This is now secure, so the children do not have access, for the good of their health.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • develop further knowledge and understanding with regard to learning difficulties

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6