Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282084 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2008 Inspection date Lynne Kathleen Talbot 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 registered in March 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine and 12. The family has one dog, one cat and one rabbit. Their house is in a village outside of Northampton.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The annexe, situated in the rear garden, has a fully equipped playroom and is used for childminding. The whole ground floor of the main house is used for childminding, the first floor is used for the bathroom or under supervision. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. There are shops, schools and pre-schools within an accessible distance. The childminder walks to local schools to collect and take minded children. She attends toddler and activity groups with minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. There are currently 13 children on roll in total, ranging in age from three years to 12 years. Each attends varying hours and days as required.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are learning the importance of hygiene and personal care. Children are taking responsibility for their own needs, because the childminder acts as a positive role model and offers clear explanations and supportive reminders. This is demonstrated as children access drinks from the juice/water dispenser when thirsty, seek paper mats for the table when carrying out cooking activities, and help to tidy away toys and play materials before moving onto new activities. These routines support their sense of belonging and reinforce regular routines for hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's well-being is promoted as the daily routine supports children's individual needs, and helps them maintain health, through appropriate physically active and resting periods. They have regular access to outdoor play in local parks and playgrounds, and walk in the local community when attending groups or to carry out nature walks. Children enjoy play outdoors that helps them develop their physical abilities and extend their confidence in their play. Children are appropriately nourished and encouraged to enjoy a broad range of healthy foods. They enjoy both packed lunches brought from home as well as planned cooked menus which are provided by the childminder. Children know that they should eat their savoury foods before sweeter foodstuffs and discuss this with the childminder. Information is shared with parents and carers through daily exchange of information.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's immediate health and safety is protected because the childminder is informed of current health guidelines and requirements of the National Standards, for example through clear policies and procedures across all areas of care. They are protected because the childminder makes clear plans to deal with all eventualities, for example to cover her approaching maternity leave. Children's health and medical needs are supported due to the childminder's attention to maintaining accurate information and reviewing the care of children with parents. Children are beginning to understand the steps taken to ensure health and safety and this is shown as they question the location of first aid boxes giving information about what type they themselves have at home or in the car. They show that they are observant and question what they see around them to develop their own understanding of both health and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is consistently promoted and appropriate action taken in the event of illness or accident because the childminder has an organised approach to this area of care and takes steps to prevent accidents and to plan for emergencies. This includes updating her knowledge and sharing clear policies with parents and carers. Fire evacuation is clearly planned and children discuss reasons for safety routines, demonstrating clear understanding of keeping themselves, and others, safe. For example, when discussing trips and outings children speak knowledgeably about the road crossing patrols, the things they have learnt from visitors to their pre-school groups and from discussions with the childminder. They explain their route, when walking, to the school and nursery giving directions for turning 'right' or 'left' and where to cross the road safely. Children show that their understanding is developing and that they are able to keep

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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 Children are cared for in a welcoming environment, accessing equipment that meets safety standards with sufficient space to explore and develop their full potential. There is a regular review of safety within the home to ensure that all risks are minimised, this use of the premises includes the annexe building playroom as well as the main house for supervised access with the childminder. However, there are identified and agreed hazards within the rear garden to be addressed that present a risk to children's safety at present. Children are learning to keep themselves safe due to clear explanations and routines. When on outings, however, there are limited plans and precautions shared with parents and carers for extended trips and this could place children at some risk. Children do recognise that some places require them to take extra

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

care, such as in the vicinity of farms and animals where they explain that there should be fences to keep the animals in the fields. This shows that children receive good information about safety wherever they are taking part in outings. Children are well protected because the childminder clearly understands child protection issues and the appropriate steps to follow that will support children’s wellbeing. Planned procedures include the latest information according to the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, secure and settled. They are eager to attend and relish their time at this welcoming childminding setting. They are enthusiastic about the activities and play opportunities provided, clearly and competently stating their own ideas to the childminder, consistently acquiring new skills and embracing new challenges. For example, they enjoy seeing activities through from start to finish such as making biscuits, icing them and packaging them to share with their families and other children attending the setting. They use emerging skills such as weighing and measuring, rolling and cutting, and creativity to complete the task.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent relationships with each other and with the childminder, confidently participating in discussions with her and initiating conversations. Children enjoy reviewing their play, such as discussing what activities they carried out when celebrating Chinese New Year. For example, they speak about the craft activities including making dragons and lanterns, as well as dressing-up and trying noodles for their tea. Children speak with clarity and express opinion readily, for instance, telling the inspector that they did not like the noodles as they were too spicy. Children ask for assistance when needed and show an emerging sense of humour. For example, children ask for oranges to be peeled and, when the childminder tells them it is a little difficult, they respond saying 'I know, that's why I asked you to do it!'. They then laugh together and enjoy joking further.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's self-esteem and confidence is being promoted because they are given every opportunity to make choices and show new skills they have learnt. They respond to open questions from the childminder and will readily count and spell familiar names. They recall events and will share dates that are of significance to themselves and their families such as dates of their birthdays or those of their family. Their personal development and self-esteem are consistently promoted through sensitive support and interaction from the genuinely caring childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle quickly due to understanding and planning. Children's information, including their likes and dislikes, is maintained and given high regard in their daily care. All children's learning and development is thoughtfully and carefully promoted. Children explore new subjects and their developing knowledge, such as number and phonics, with the support of the childminder. This is seen as they draw and write on the blackboard or use board games. Children

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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 tell the childminder what they see and are confident in experimenting with their emerging knowledge because they receive sensitive support and constant praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are very well met as they follow their normal daily routines as discussed with their parents and which complement the care received in other early childcare groups and schools. Relationships are positive and children are making early friendships with other children both in the childminder's home and at social groups. They attend a variety of supportive groups and mix regularly with other families and children of differing ages. They speak about each other, including children who are not present at the time, and play alongside each other easily. Older children encourage younger children in their play and offer to show them how play materials and games work. This encourages positive relationships and children learning from each other. Children thrive because their individual developmental stages are recognised and planned for by the childminder. This is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

supported by methods of sharing information with parents and carers such as placing messages into lunchboxes or home bags. These proactive steps maintain and support close relationships and partnerships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to take responsibility for their actions and recognise the needs of others due to consistent boundaries being maintained by the childminder. They have taken part in drawing up house rules, as individuals, which have been reviewed to compile a set of boundaries by which they all will abide. Children show their developing maturity because they structure those sentences and rules using humour as well as recognising behaviours they like least in others. They are showing a developing sense of socially acceptable behaviours. These methods help them to develop forward planning and think about their behaviour and its effect on others around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children appreciate and understand about other cultures and ways of life because the childminder provides resources to promote conversation and interest, including topics and exploring the cultural celebrations in which each other participate with their families. Children receive appropriate support that meets their complex needs as individuals because the childminder seeks appropriate information from parents and takes positive steps to inform herself on a variety of learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure within the surroundings where they develop a sense of trust in the childminder. They feel at ease in this organised environment leading them to confidently initiate play and explore their surroundings. They respond to new adults with confidence discussing activities and other children who are cared for after school hours, demonstrating security within the home.

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Organisation

Organisation within the home allows access to all play activities both indoors and outside. Children have independent access to personal care facilities and develop responsibility for play materials and personal belongings. Children and families are offered flexible ongoing care that adapts to their changing needs as they enter pre-school, nursery or school. This enables a continuum of care which helps children to thrive in a stable environment.

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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 The childminder has a good and secure knowledge and understanding of the Children Act and associated regulations. Children's daily care is shared with parents in conversation, this promotes children's welfare and all-round development. All aspects of care are clearly defined within policies which are shared with parents and carers. Care given is particularly flexible to parental requirements with overall hours of care adjusted to meet the needs of families, to ensure ongoing stability for all children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure that records relating to the administration of medicine were appropriately kept and to minimise risk to children from access to sharp knives and cutlery. She was also asked to improve the range of activities and resources in order to promote anti-discriminatory practice and equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since that time she has maintained all documentation as required and ensure that all sharp or hazardous kitchen knives are inaccessible. This improves the safety for children and ensures their wellbeing. She has also extended the materials and activities planned to promote children's understanding of the world around them thus promoting equality of opportunity.

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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): • minimise risks to children from hazards when playing in the outdoor area; this refers to the accessible ladder, chicken wire and planks of wood • consider positive steps to promote safety when carrying out outings and develop the precautions which may be taken to prevent accidents.

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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 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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