Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342134 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2007 Inspection date Lynn Masterman 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and three years old. The family live in an area near Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor is to be used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for five children under eight years on a part-time basis. She will take and collect children from the local primary schools. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have the opportunity from an early age to develop and observe good hygiene practice through a range of activities that are part of the daily routine. For example, very young children are given wipes after nappy changes to clean their hands. Toddlers independently know to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day, for example, after creative play and before

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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 snack. The childminder implements successful cleaning routines, such as toys are cleaned on a daily basis. She makes good use of books and discussion to promote children's awareness of ensuring the home is free from germs. The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures to be followed when administering medication and recording accidents. She has an effective list of written parental consents, which covers all aspects of children's health, such as permission to use plasters, apply nappy cream and teething gels. This ensures children's health is successfully promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a positive approach to physical exercise and recognises the importance of fresh air and exercise, which develops children's skills and maintains good health. Children have the opportunity to access a good range of outdoor play activities that promotes their physical development, such as crawling through tunnels, making tents, climbing the steps on the slide and riding wheeled toys. Younger children enjoy action rhymes and songs. They dance to music and enjoy simple exercises, which incorporate bodily movements to promote jumping, pushing, pulling and squeezing. This helps to make exercise fun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. Younger children are introduced to a variety of finger foods, such as toast, fruit and raw vegetables. They are encouraged to feed themselves and drink from a cup. All children have regular access to drinks, such as fruit juice or water throughout the day. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she is maintaining routines and offering a balanced diet to the children in her care. This helps children to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder recognises the importance of children having the opportunity to rest. She incorporates quiet times as part of the daily routine, such as after lunch for children to relax and look at books.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive approach to children's safety and systematically assesses safety from a child's level. For example, the childminder ensures the door on the washing machine is closed to prevent children climbing inside or trapping their fingers. The fire evacuation plan is displayed. The childminder ensures the children are familiar with all fire exits and the evacuation procedures are routinely practised. Discussions about safety provide children with a clear understanding of safe boundaries both inside and outside the premises. For example, children are gently reminded of the consequences of not tidying away toys and climbing on furniture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Opportunities to promote road safety are used effectively. The childminder explains to the children the importance of using the pelican crossing when possible. Children know they cannot cross the road until they see the green man and must always look for cars. Children's safety is effectively maintained when they are travelling in the childminder's car. For example, children know the colour of their car seat and that they must use a seat belt to keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently self-select from a good range of age-appropriate play resources and equipment, which are easily accessible, clean, well maintained and of a high standard. Effective monitoring systems ensure resources remain safe and suitable. For example, there are no sharp or loose parts that may cause a child injury. This ensures children have access to play resources, which are safe and suitable for their purpose.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection matters. Children's welfare is well protected as she recognises the indicators of abuse and the action required to safeguard children.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are at ease with the childminder. She has a warm, caring approach and provides children with reassurance through hugs and facial expression. Children love to choose a book and welcome the comfort of sitting closely with the childminder as they eagerly climb on the childminder's lap. The childminder uses appropriate questions to initiate conversation and extend their learning. For example, children excitedly lift the flaps in the book to find familiar animals. The childminder echoes the noise of the animals made by the children. She asks questions, such as 'do you think the cat looks happy or sad?' and 'is the cat like your cat at home?'. The childminder listens attentively to the children as they talk about their cats at home. This helps children to become skilful communicators and to make links with home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a good balance of structured play and child-initiated activities. The childminder plans her play according to children's interests and their stage of development. Children love creative activities and have lots of opportunities to explore different textures and natural materials. For example, children roll out play dough until it is very flat. The childminder helps children to feel the soft, velvety texture by suggesting they stroke the side of their face with the play dough. This helps children to develop their sensory skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She makes effective use of play opportunities to help children progress in their learning, such as helping children to recognise the colour yellow. For example, the children build towers with yellow bricks, they plant sunflowers in the garden and decorate buns with yellow icing. This helps children to make connections with the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals and their routines are discussed with parents, which ensure appropriate steps are taken to provide a positive environment. They are responded to with warmth, affection and understanding, which develops their sense of self-worth and feeling and confidence. The childminder has taken steps to develop a caring and meaningful relationship with the children. She knows the children well and uses information effectively to respond to children's individual needs. For example, some very young children are fearful of the texture of wooden baskets. The childminder stores toys in cardboard or plastic boxes. The childminder aims to provide a totally inclusive environment for all children. However, she lacks sufficient knowledge and experience of how to meet the needs of children with identified additional needs. Children show a strong sense of belonging. Simple tasks, such as helping to clear the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

table after snack and tidy away toys help children to feel their contribution to the daily routine is acknowledged and valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to learn right from wrong in a warm, caring environment. The childminder has clear expectations and simple rules in place to help children to learn the boundaries for acceptable behaviour. Young children are helped to understand expectations of their behaviour by the use of eye contact and facial expressions. They are encouraged to share, take turns and be kind towards each other. For example, the childminder defuses situations successfully when children want to play with the same toy. She talks to the children about how they can have more fun if they play together.

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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 Children are learning to respect their own culture, and those of the wider world, through the childminder's positive attitude towards people from all walks of life. She talks to the children about how the celebrations of some festivals belong to a group of people who may follow a particular faith or culture. For example, we celebrate Halloween but it does not mean every country celebrates this festival. Children are beginning to learn about similarities and differences through planned activities. For example, the children wear sunglasses to help them understand how it feels to wear glasses. The childminder talks to the children about how glasses help people to see and when the glasses are removed it is still the same person. This helps children to be respectful to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in close partnership with parents and carers. This contributes to the children's overall well-being. Effective communication systems and informative written information ensures parents are kept informed and up-to-date about their child's care. Children are clearly benefiting from a positive partnership with parents. This ensures they are secure and happy.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's safety and welfare is well maintained by the childminder having a clear understanding of the National Standards and her responsibilities to the children and their parents. The childminder has a strong commitment to her development, which enhances the care for the children.

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Organisation

Children use the space within the home well and with confidence. Good organisation prior to children arriving ensures their environment is ready and welcoming, which contributes to them adjusting to a different setting quickly and engaging in a well balanced range of age-appropriate play activities.

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Organisation

Documentation meets the requirements of the National Standards and is stored securely to maintain confidentiality. There is an appropriate range of policies and procedures, which are shared with parents and used effectively as a tool to support her childminding practice and service. 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 quality of care was judged as inadequate. The childminder was asked to: implement a system for recording complaints and to ensure that parents were given relevant information regarding the procedure should they wish to make a complaint; and to assess the risks to children in relation to fire drills not being regularly practised and take appropriate action to minimise these risks accordingly.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has devised a suitable complaints policy, which is given to parents at the initial visit and they sign to confirm they have been informed of the procedure. There is an appropriate recording system in place to record all complaints received from parents. The fire evacuation procedure is displayed and practiced on a monthly basis. There is a written record of the date when the evacuation practise took place and the children who took part. These improvements ensure the welfare and safety of all children.

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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

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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 any 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): • develop further the knowledge and understanding of providing care for children with identified needs.

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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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