Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY283461 Unique Reference Number 14 January 2008 Inspection date Andrea, Marie Paulson 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and children aged nine, 15, 18 and 19. They live in a detached house situated on a main road in Broughton close to local shops, schools, the park, the library and toddler groups. The whole of the ground floor and a first floor bedroom are used for the purposes of childminding. An enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. There are currently six children on the register who attend for various sessions. The childminder has two pet cats and works school term times only. She is professionally qualified, including study of child psychology, and has attended additional courses in childcare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have their health and dietary needs met well in general as the childminder works very closely with the parents, for instance, records show relevant information for each child. They rest and sleep according to their individual needs on the comfortable sofa or in a travel cot. The required records are complete and include parental signatures. Children learn about sound

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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 health and hygiene practices as part of the daily routine as they wash hands, see the table wiped and have their nappy changed as part of a hygienic procedure.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in regular physical exercise both indoors and outdoors. They move freely around the spacious rooms, have outings to the park and go for local walks. Children have regular opportunities to practise running, balancing and riding tricycles. Their fine movement skills and coordination are well promoted as they use spoons, make play dough figures, learn to use scissors and stack a tower of rings. They learn about their own bodies as they identify ears and eyes on play dough figures and act out 'heads, shoulders, knees and toes'.

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Helping children to be healthy

The first aid certificate has just lapsed but the childminder had tried to attend the training prior to this, which then turned out to be fully booked. She booked a place on the next available course in February.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a sound understanding of making healthy choices as they are provided with healthy meals and snacks, such as fruit. Parents provide nutritious meals such as cottage pie and yoghurt. The childminder provides healthy snacks and makes sure that drinks are available throughout the session. Children are encouraged to feed themselves to promote their independence. Meal times are pleasant, relaxed, sociable occasions where the childminder and children sit around the table and enjoy much conversation. The childminder has good knowledge of individual children's appetites and ensures that they have the right amount for them to be well nourished.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after in an environment where several hazards are identified and resolved so that they can feel safe and secure. Minor exceptions are the sockets in the dining area not being covered and wires by the front door being accessible. They learn about keeping themselves safe as they sit safely at the table and are secured in car seats. The emergency evacuation, however, is not practised frequently enough for young children to be sufficiently familiar with the procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children gain confidence and skills as they access plenty of good quality equipment. They benefit from the close supervision of the childminder who offers support when needed. The childminder takes care that young children do not have access to small objects and ensures that play equipment is in good condition so that children can play safely. Safe practices cover the use of the stairs and the getting in and out of the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has sound awareness of child protection procedures and local contacts, therefore, further safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good, trusting relationships with the childminder and settle confidently with her. Children's learning and play needs are developed well through the childminder's good understanding of child development. They learn spontaneously while they play with stimulating resources which are rotated to maintain interest.

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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 Children's language skills are fostered well. Children learn new words, such as satsuma, and develop communication skills as they participate in much conversation. Their learning is reinforced as they link animal pictures to the sounds they make, recognise colours of toys and count the grapes at lunch time. The childminder encourages the use of books through story time and children are able to choose their own. Self-expression is encouraged through role play with cars, the farm and dressing up. They learn to concentrate as they work with the play dough tools. Children's attention span is developed well through interesting activities, such as making bubbles. Children's sensory development is promoted well as they feel various textures, such as rough and smooth play dough, taste various foods, and listen to music and animal sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They begin to learn concepts such as 'bigger' and 'biggest' as they build a tower.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A daily diary is kept for babies with much detailed information about the day and events. Parents are kept well informed of the children's progress on a regular basis to help ensure their overall individual development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the wider world through play with resources, such as books, and celebrations including Chinese New Year. They learn about their own community through local visits, discussion and activities based on their families and events such as birthdays. The childminder supports individual needs through closely working with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and learn to respond well to the childminder's appropriate behaviour management techniques, therefore they are learning right from wrong. They learn responsible behaviour as they tidy up and are gentle when stroking the pet cat. Children are settled well, happy and confident. They grow in confidence as they make decisions, such as choosing from the toys and books available. Children build good relationships as they play with other children and develop a close rapport with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Continuity of provision for children is promoted well with informal daily handovers between the childminder and the parents. The childminder keeps a daily diary for babies which includes much detail about their day and events. She has developed an interesting and comprehensive file with information for parents about the care provision, including thorough policies and procedures. Parental feedback supports the good quality of care provided with comments about being 'a home from home'. The good partnership between the childminder and parents contributes towards the well-being of children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to take an active part in the setting, which is effectively supervised by the childminder to promote the children's enjoyment and achievements well. They are relaxed and confident in the environment with good organisation of their care and learning by the childminder. Children's quality of care is further supported by the childminder's in depth awareness of childcare issues. Their needs are recorded and regularly reviewed so that children's continuity of individual care is ensured. Children's well-being is further promoted by thorough policies and procedures on which the provision is based. The records are comprehensive and individual information is confidential.

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Organisation

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

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder was recommended to devise a policy for recording any incident of physical intervention. The devised policy is now included in the information file for parents, further supporting the childcare procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A first aid course had been booked and was completed, so that children's health is further safeguarded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The emergency evacuation needed to be practised so that children were familiar with the procedure. The procedure has since been practised and recorded.

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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.

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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): • complete the first aid course booked for February 2008 • make sockets in the dining area and wires near front door inaccessible to children • practise the emergency evacuation more frequently

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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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