Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348553 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2007 Inspection date Zahida Hatia 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 lives in four bedroom, three storey, semi detached property in a private cul-de-sac in Wotton-under-Edge, close to Thornbury, Stroud and Nailsworth. She shares her home with her husband and their four children aged 11, eight, three-and-a-half and 13 months old. Main care takes place on the ground floor which consist of a lounge, dining room, kitchen and toilet. The second floor bedrooms are used when children require a rest. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family have two cats that live outside. Local amenities within walking distance include shops, Blue Coat Primary School and play group. The childminder has been registered since 2007 and may provide care for four children under eight years of age.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted as they spend their day in a clean environment. They are able to play comfortably on the floor with no risk to their health. The childminder encourages children to learn good self-care skills, such as washing their hands at appropriate times throughout the day. However, closer supervision of hand drying using individual towels would prevent

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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 cross-infection from occurring. Children are protected from health risks; the childminder has effective systems in place to safeguard children from exposure to the sun; a 'sick children' policy clearly states that children are not minded whilst they are infectious and an exclusion period is in operation for some infectious diseases to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are effectively learning about the importance of eating fruit and vegetables daily and are learning to be responsible for their own health needs. The childminder works in line with the recognised guidance about healthy eating. Healthy snacks are made readily available all day. The use of activities, such as shopping and making pizza for lunch, gives children good practical experience of working within a healthy lifestyle. All relevant details are taken at admission to ensure children's dietary needs are well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have outdoor activities daily and the childminder has a good selection of resources to encourage the children to enjoy exercise and have fun. These include balls, ride-on toys and hoops. A local park is also used which has equipment, such as a climbing frame, slides and swings, to ensure the children have a good range of physical challenges. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and as agreed with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well at all times and children are cared for in a clean, tidy, well maintained family home. The premises are safe and secure. The childminder identifies risks and minimises hazards. She puts measures in place to help prevent accidents such as fixing covers on socket and the safe storage of cleaning chemicals and sharp objects. Good security is maintained so that children are protected from uninvited visitors and cannot leave the building unsupervised. A daily risk assessment also ensures all areas of the home are safe for children to use. Children can independently select activities from a good selection of quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards and are stored within easy reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe in the home as they are given explanations about the consequences of their actions. For example, they are told that if they run in the home they may fall and hurt themselves. This encourages them to be responsible for their own safety. Appropriate fire safety equipment is available and the children regularly practise an emergency escape plan so they know how to keep themselves safe. Emergency back-up procedures are also in place so children are well protected at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues in line with the local Safeguarding Board procedures. A useful child protection policy is in place which states that the welfare of the child is of paramount importance and that the childminder strives to create an atmosphere where children are safe and secure and can feel happy and well looked after. Parents receive a copy of this procedure so they have a good understanding of how the childminder will protect their child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the care of the childminder. They laugh and have fun as they relate well to her and her family. The childminder understands how young children learn and encourages them to develop and enhance their listening and language skills by talking to them and looking at books with them. Children respond with obvious pleasure and enthusiasm to

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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 familiar stories and share their experiences with the childminder, for example, the children remember when they made 'gloop' and how one of the children thought it was custard and wanted to eat it. Resources are also provided that encourage imaginative skills such as providing large cardboard boxes in which children hide or construct a pretend tent or circus to play in. The childminder is skilled in knowing when to allow the children to explore the play resources independently, and when to step in to support them and extend their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The affectionate and gentle care given by the childminder enables children to develop a sense of belonging and trust. Praise is also given regularly to enable children to develop confidence and good self-esteem. Because children are well settled, they are content to play on their own. Children benefit from the childminder's interaction. She encourages problem solving with her open ended questions and seeks their ideas before helping, to ensure the support she provides meets their individual needs. The Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage Curriculum are used as resources to aid ideas for play, along with other information gained on various play courses attended. Children's independence is encouraged in routine tasks such as self selecting toys and using the equipment with minimal supervision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's needs are understood and met effectively by the childminder. For example, she is aware of individual children's likes, dislikes and strengths and can identify how she needs to support each child. The childminder is aware of promoting equality and opportunities. She has provided children with toys which reflect positive images of diversity. Although the childminder has little experience of minding children with learning difficulties and disabilities, she is aware of how to find out about specific special needs to enable her to provide effective care to meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good working relationship the childminder establishes with parents. She ensures she keeps them informed of how their child has spent their day, and discusses any potential difficulties with them to ensure the arrangement runs smoothly. Parents report that they are very happy with the service provided by the childminder; they especially find the 'daily diary' a good way to maintain two-way communication. Parents find the childminder to be friendly and very approachable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a wide range of resources that enable them to learn and understand about diversity within society. These include multicultural books and laminated cards that depicts people from the wider community.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable and at ease within the childminder's home. The day is organised by the childminder to ensure children have the opportunity to play quietly indoors and more actively outside. This helps to ensure children's overall developmental progress.

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Organisation

Children enjoy making good use of the available space in the home. Each end of the play rooms are used for a different purpose at the same time. This ensures that the immediate needs of all the children, whatever their age, can be comfortably met.

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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 Children's health, safety and well-being are promoted by the childminder as she maintains accurate and up-to-date records which are countersigned by parents. For example, accident/medication records are kept up to date and parents are provided with copies. However, accurate times of children's arrival and departure is not always evident. The childminder is very keen to update her qualifications regularly. She attends short courses when possible. The effective working relationship with the parents also adds to the children's sense of well-being and contentment. Therefore, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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): • ensure consistency in encouraging children's good practice for personal hygiene

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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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