Daykin, Debra Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308518 Inspection date 05 August 2005 Inspector Harpal Thandi

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 9 and 17. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is available for childminding with access to the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and the local park. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently

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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 minding eight children some of whom attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene for example, they understand they have to wash their hands to get rid of the germs. They also understand they have to take their outdoor shoes off in the house so they don't bring dirt in that the baby may pick up. Good levels of hygiene are therefore maintained which helps to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder's procedures also minimise the risk of infection to children as her sick child policy is shared with parents at the beginning of the placement. Children enjoy a range of outdoor activities which contribute to their good health. They have regular opportunities for exercise and fresh air as they enjoy playing in the garden with a wide selection of outdoor play equipment, walking to the local park, joining in with sponsored walks arranged by a childminding support group and trips to places such as the farm.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder meets children's dietary needs. She caters for children's food preferences and allergies by asking parents what their children like to eat. She also ensures they have regular intake of fluids such as water and juice. The children have a good understanding of healthy eating issues as they have covered relevant topics at school and also talk with the childminder about foods which are good for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel secure and at ease because they are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Space is organised well. Children move freely between the garden and the rooms on the ground floor which encourages their sense of independence. Children happily select activities from the accessible range of toys and equipment which meet safety standards. These are regularly monitored by the childminder and cleaned with the children's help; to make sure they are safe and appropriate to the children's age and stage of development. Children are kept safe and secure because the childminder takes positive steps to ensure the children's safety both inside and outside the home. She has all the necessary health and safety equipment such as fire guards in place. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, by practising the emergency evacuation procedures and teaching them how to cross the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

road safely. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues. For example, she is alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows the procedures to be followed if she was concerned

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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 about the well being of a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly on arrival at the childminder's home into purposeful play as they make choices from a good selection of toys. The minded children enjoyed playing together with the large selection of outdoor play resources which includes swings, wheeled toys and role play items. Children learn to take responsibility by helping to tidy away toys and set the table for lunch. Children's creativity is enhanced through a range of craft activities for example, making models of crocodiles. They develop IT skills through using various programmes on the computer and their language and communication skills are developed through ongoing discussion with the childminder. The childminder promotes sensory experiences well. Younger children explore different smells and textures with items from the `smelly and feely boxes'. Children learn to socialise by being taken to toddler and childminding groups where

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they interact happily with other children. Children enjoy a warm, honest relationship with the childminder which contributes to a sense of belonging and has a positive effect on their emotional well being. Although younger children's play is appropriate and conducive to their learning, a minor weakness was identified in the monitoring of their progress to assist with planning future activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain a positive understanding of diversity and the world around them through discussion, access to a range of relevant resources such as multi cultural play figures and activities such as the celebration of Australian, French and Indian days. They are encouraged to share and take turns for example, through playing board games. Children behave well, which is attributable to the clear and consistent management of unwanted behaviour by the childminder. She explains why the behaviour is unacceptable and offers age appropriate explanations about the consequences. Children are then encouraged to apologise and give each other hugs. As a result children learn quickly which behaviour is inappropriate. The childminder meets children's needs effectively by ensuring she has a very good understanding of each child's needs. She obtains as much information as possible from the parents about their child including their routine. She offers an induction

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Helping children make a positive contribution

period, which helps to settle the child and make them feel secure. The ongoing exchange of information for example, through discussion, written records and photographs ensures there is continuity of care between the childminder and the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the setting as it is well organised and effective in meeting their needs. They have access to all ground floor rooms and a good outdoor play area. This maximises their opportunities for all round development. They are able to initiate their own play and learning in an environment where the resources are easily accessible to them for example, at floor level. Information is shared effectively with parents and good communication ensures children's welfare, care and learning is fostered well. The childminder has a positive commitment to her ongoing development through relevant training which further enhances her knowledge of child care practice and thereby benefits the children being looked after. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well being is in place. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to introduce a daily diary for the children, set up an incident record and obtain the telephone number for the local child protection team. All records are now in place and the childminder has obtained the relevant telephone number. As a result of these actions being addressed the security and well being of the children has been enhanced.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve monitoring of children's progress to enable their specific developmental needs to be met for example, by using Birth to Three Matters.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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