Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY266489 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Sylvia Cornock 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and one-year-old child in Winsford, Cheshire. The whole of the house except for the main bedroom is used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently caring for one child every day and four children under 5 years on a part time basis, two school aged children under eight years before school and four children under eight years after school. The family have one cat.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder collects a child from nursery and walks to collect children from the local school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's physical, nutritional and health needs are met because the childminder follows consistent effective procedures and practices. Good adult support and guidance helps children to gain a good understanding of hygiene and to become increasingly independent in their personal care. They learn to develop a healthy lifestyle through daily physical activities and experiences.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a very good awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet. The children have a broad and varied range of well balanced snacks and meals, which meets their individual needs well and is of good nutritional value, such as fruit and vegetables. All children's dietary needs are well documented. They have good access to drinking water and fluids throughout the day.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical health needs are managed very consistently. There are procedures in place for the administration of medication and for protecting children from the spread of infection. The records of accidents and medication administered are clearly well maintained. Good practice and consistently high standards of hygiene throughout the home significantly enhance children's health and actively prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate. This helps to meet children's needs in the event of an accident or emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of outdoor activities that support and help to develop their physical skills. They benefit from activities that promote their large physical development and coordination. They are given wide and varied opportunities to choose from equipment to stimulate development. Planned visits to the local park and indoor play centre enables the children to use the various apparatus provided, these activities promote children's health and well-being.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a highly motivated environment where safety is high priority. Good safety procedures are in place to protect children from hazards and dangers, through daily checks of the premises before the children arrive. Children move around freely, independently and safely. The childminder discusses with all children how to keep themselves safe, including their understanding of safety outside the home, as they take their daily outings.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children show a consistently high level of independence as they select toys and activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder is effective in her observations and carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare and safety of children is significantly enhanced and promoted as the childminder ensures that the required procedures and documents are in place. The childminder ensures that children are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of evacuation of the premises. This is regularly practised with the children, this enhances children's safety. The childminder has some knowledge and understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, however, she is not clear on who to contact and does not have relevant telephone numbers for the local police and social services accessible. This compromises children's safety and well-being.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled, relaxed and happy at the childminder's house. Children play well together as they share and take turns with various games and activities, such as engaging in colouring pictures using a variety of colours. Children show good independence as they choose between a variety of activities, which appeal to them and are suitable for their ages and stages of development. They relate well to each other, to adults and to the childminder.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy their time at the childminder's as they are welcomed into the family home, where they experience a sense of belonging. The childminder has a very good understanding of each child's stage of development. This means that children are confident to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within a well organised environment. She plans themes and activities which appeal to the children and these support their learning and development.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to the childminders questions as she reads them a story, they discuss animals and identified the different sounds they make. They enjoyed building with various construction kits making birthday cakes and singing 'happy birthday', this activity created plenty of language. The childminder extends their interests, responds to their questions and challenges their ability as they engage in their chosen activity. This has a positive effect on the quality of children's learning.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into the home and play a full part within the family structure. The childminder values and respects their individuality and the family context for each child. Children gain a good awareness of their local environment through walks and discussion. Children have the opportunity to access resources which reflects diversity. This promotes their understanding of other cultures and the wider world. All children are included in the activities provided and individual needs are very well met.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play well together, they generally share and take turns, they show respect and concern for each other and their behaviour is very good. The childminder has high expectations and sets consistent boundaries, taking into account children's stage of development. She meets individual needs well with regard to managing behaviour, such as explaining when one child decides not to share. Children respond well and as a result, show a growing awareness of right and wrong. They are settled and make themselves at home.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

A very good partnership with parents exists which contributes significantly to children's well-being. Children are being cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. Individual needs and requirements are discussed carefully and in detail with parents and carers prior to placement and on an ongoing basis, as they develop new skills and achieve milestones in their development. Feedback on children's development and general wellbeing is given on a regular basis in an informal verbal way. Parents and carers have access to information on what the childminder has to offer and information about Ofsted and records. This contributes to continuity in the children's good health, safety, development and learning.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is greatly enhanced through the childminder's organisation and well planned day. This helps children to feel at home and at ease. They feel secure and confident in their surroundings, initiating and extending their own play and learning. Well organised visits to places of interest and contact with other children, widens children's play opportunities and helps them to make very good progress.

p.5

Organisation

All relevant documentation, policies and procedures are good and used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder is confident and her care and enthusiasm enhances her existing good practice and supports children's progress and development.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit from highly innovative, well organised indoor space and outdoor activities to maximise play opportunities. Good risk assessments and planning of activities and routines help to keep children safe and enables them to make very good progress in all areas of their development.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the fire guard does not pose a hazard to children and to ensure that the childminder obtain at the time of placement, written parental permission for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. The childminder has secured the fireguard to the wall and has obtained parental permission for obtaining emergency medical treatment or advice.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure that parents are given details of how to contact Ofsted and to ensure that the procedure is known in the event of an allegation of abuse is made against her. The childminder has the Ofsted poster displayed and parents are given a copy of the childminder's written policies which includes details of Ofsted. The childminder has obtained information and has written a policy for child abuse which includes her knowledge and understanding of the procedure for reporting any allegations of abuse. These measures enhance children's safety, health and well-being.

p.5

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.5

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.5

Complaints 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

p.5

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): • ensure the telephone numbers for the local police and social services are easily accessible in relation to Child Protection.

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