Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262375 Unique Reference Number 26 November 2007 Inspection date Denise May Smith 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and five in Peterborough. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed 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 minding three children under five, on a full and part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and attends the local toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are physical activities to help them develop control of their bodies. For example, they play in the garden where they are able to run and play with a selection of push and ride toys. The childminder takes the children to weekly music and dance sessions and the children walk to

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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 school and to the local park giving children lots of opportunities to promote exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment, where they develop an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. For example, they use the bathroom independently and remember to wash their hands afterwards. Nappy changing systems are hygienic; this reduces the risk of the spread of infection and protects the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sound understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet and is successful in meeting children's dietary needs in consultation with parents. Children benefit from eating balanced, healthy meals at regular intervals and enjoy going with the childminder to the shops to choose the fresh vegetables for their dinner. Drinks are easily accessible ensuring they do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. They mainly use the ground floor rooms, except for sleeping, and are able to use the space safely and independently. The childminder remains in close contact with the children as they play whilst allowing them to choose activities for themselves, which helps to promote safety and prevent accidents. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe by ensuring older children hold onto the buggy when out and discussing general road safety issues with the children. The childminder has a fire escape plan which is practised with the children so they learn about how to keep themselves safe in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems are in place for the childminder to check toys and resources for cleanliness and safety, which results in children having a wide range of quality items to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required polices, procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She is due to attend a safeguarding children course and is aware of her responsibility to protect children and to keep them safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy at the childminder's home as they take part in an extensive range of activities both in and out of the home. Children have excellent opportunities to socialise with others as they attend toddler groups and enjoy trips in the local community. The childminder arranges outings to places of interest where children benefit from these new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities which are appealing and well displayed in the playroom. The childminder uses her good knowledge and experience in developing children's language and listening, to adapt activities such as singing and storytelling to promote children's learning. The children are keen to communicate with the childminder as they dress up in the role play costumes and welcome the praise and reassurance given to them by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are challenged and make good progress in all aspects of their development. This is because the childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and plans activities which are aimed at the individual ages and stages of development of each child.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident, independent and secure in their environment because the childminder strives to ensure that their individual needs are met. Children are beginning to have an understanding of the wider community and respect for others. They play with a good range of resources which are reflective of other cultures The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities issues and uses this knowledge to underpin her care. The childminder shows a good understanding of being able to care for children who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder communicates with parents everyday either verbally or by a written diary. Information is carefully gathered from parents about children’s routines and care needs enabling her to prove a good quality and standard of care. However, some information is not in place for children, who attend infrequently, which potentially impacts on the care provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and are beginning to understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour on others. The childminder has very good strategies in place for managing behaviour which are appropriate to the children's ages and stages of development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children make good progress in all areas of their development because the childminder has very good knowledge of childcare and development through her previous experience. The childminder is very well organised. She makes the best use of her time, space and resources to create an orderly and stimulating environment for the children. The children are safe, settled, secure and confident within their environment.

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Organisation

Children are safe and free from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and is successful in interpreting them. She is committed to continually developing her practice through training and attending courses which she feels benefits the children in her care.

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Organisation

Most documentation is up-to-date and recorded well. It is shared regularly with parents to ensure that they are fully informed about their child's achievements and progress and this contributes to continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the need 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 agreed to develop the resources for children over five years. The childminder has increased the range of toys available, however she is not currently caring for older children. She would however, further develop the range available should she decide to care for older children.

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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

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 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): • ensure that the agreements with parents are in place for all children and that all necessary information is recorded in order to provide appropriate care.

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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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