Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY232164 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2008 Inspection date Jill Scargall 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children, one adult child and two sons aged 13 and eight years in the town of Grimsby, close to the seafront. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding plus the first floor bathroom. There is a fenced garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park and the beach.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog, two rabbits, several lizards and some fish as family pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child who attends on a part-time basis. She supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is a member of the National childminding association.

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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. Children's good health is promoted and cross infection is minimised because they are encouraged to have thorough hand washing routines before eating and after messy play activities. They are provided with their own face cloths and hand towels. Babies have their nappies checked and changed routinely and the childminder makes sure that all surfaces are cleaned and that nappies are hygienically disposed. Sick children are given care and parents are made aware of the childminder's policy for protecting children from infection. They are asked to remain at home if they are ill. The childminder has received first aid training and there is a fully stocked first aid box to ensure accidents are dealt with appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular opportunities to participate in physical play activities both in the childminder's garden on outings to the beach and the local park. They can rest in buggies or a travel cot when they are tired. Children's dietary requirements, likes and dislikes are met through the childminder liaising closely with parents. They enjoy nutritious snacks of fruit or vegetables and the childminder tries to involve them in an understanding of healthy eating, although parents provide packed lunches. They can have water or juice to drink throughout the day. Bottles and weaning food are given to babies according to parents instructions

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is clean, welcoming and suitable for its use. Children are welcomed and asked about their day, they are familiar with the routines of the home and settle in easily. There is an awareness of hazards in the home and on-going risk assessments are in place together with a health and safety policy. Fire evacuation procedures are in place, together with safety measures, for example, stair gates. However, the childminder does not have all necessary consents and permissions from parents in place, especially those for seeking emergency medical treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Storage is adequate, with toys and play resources organised well. The range of toys is rotated regularly and is accessible to the children who can make independent choices about their play. They are also involved in helping to tidy up and put things away. There is sufficient additional equipment so children can follow their daily routines, for example, booster seats for the table, buggies and travel cot. Children are kept safe through effective monitoring of their arrival and departure and by constant supervision. There are procedures in place to make sure they are only collected by named persons, according to the wishes of their parents. There is a procedure for outings. The childminder takes contact numbers with her when she is away from home. She is aware of some of the procedures to follow to make sure that children are protected, however, information with regard to child protection does not follow the Local Safeguarding Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a pleasant, comfortable relationship with the childminder so they are relaxed and confident within the environment. The childminder gets down to their level and follows their lead as they play independently or with their peers. Children have a free choice of activities

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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 and a wide range of age appropriate toys to choose from. Their basic daily routine means that everyday occurrences provide appropriate learning opportunities, for example, watching the pet lizards and rabbits being fed and cleaned out, and discussing their care. Their language skills are developed through conversation and questioning techniques used by the childminder. Children enjoy regular outings, for example, to the beach or the park, which provide them with further experiences from which they can learn. However, the childminder does not plan or make full use of early education frameworks to further develop the activities of young children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to take part in all activities. They are becoming aware of the wider world by the use of a selection of resources and books which show positive images of ethnicity, disability, race and culture. For example, they have sampled Chinese food when they helped to celebrate Chinese New Year. The childminder values information from parents and other childcare professionals and this is used to support children with learning difficulties. The childminder has also accessed further training to further support children, for example, an autism awareness course.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, the childminder speaks to them in a calm, friendly manner. Good manners and being kind to one another is expected and the children also have a few simple house rules to follow. Children are praised and encouraged and there is a consistent approach to behaviour management. Parents are given some written information about the service provided, and information is shared with them. A complaints procedure is in place. Children have a diary which travels between home and the childminder, and parents are given constant updates on their child's progress by regular doorstep meetings.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space and resources are organised effectively to make sure that children's needs are met, they can move around easily and access equipment. Adult to child ratios are maintained so that children are able to form good relationships with the childminder. She continues to extend her knowledge by undertaking some further training to gain a greater understanding of current childcare practices. Attendance records are accurately recorded, kept up to date and stored appropriately, however, the childminder does not have all necessary consents and permissions from parents in place, especially those for seeking emergency medical treatment. Confidentiality is clearly understood. The childminder liaises closely with parents and gives them some written information to keep them updated on policies and procedures. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain parents written permission to allow their children to have supervised contact with the family pets. This is still not in place. A further recommendation has been made to make sure that all necessary permissions are in place in order to protect children's safety. The childminder was also given the following actions: to improve safety by making sure that glass in the shed window is inaccessible to children; to make sure that outside drains are inaccessible and; to improve the safety of children arriving and departing the premises by ensuring the boundary gate at the front of the premises is fitted

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Improvements 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 and secure. All these safety matters have been addressed in order to protect the safety of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 Ofsted received concerns relating to Standards 1 Suitable person and National Standard 14 Documentation. An Ofsted inspector carried out an investigation visit on 27 May 2004. Actions were raised and satisfactorily met. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 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): • review the documentation to ensure all information is gained from parents regarding seeking emergency medical attention, administering medicines, and any other necessary permissions • ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local safeguarding Children Board • develop a suitable range of planned age-appropriate activities for children using the early education frameworks.

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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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