Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY300399 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Anne Archer 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged four years and five months in Rushden in East Northamptonshire. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is an 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 under eight at any one time and is currently minding two children aged under five after nursery and three school age children. All arrangements are part-time. She collects from Hayway Nursery, South End Infant and Junior Schools and St. Lawrence Lower School, Wymington.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a clean, well ventilated home where children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care to help them maintain their good health. For example, children know they should wash their hands before eating 'to get all the germs off'. Children have their own personal towel and there are pictorial reminders in the bathroom to encourage them 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 adopt good personal hygiene practices. The childminder has attended a basic food hygiene course, food preparation and eating surfaces are cleaned before and after use and the childminder follows clear procedures to maintain very good levels of hygiene in the kitchen. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and feels confident to administer first aid when necessary. She also has written consents to seek emergency advice or treatment and to administer medication. Comprehensive procedures are in place in the event of a child becoming ill and in the event of the childminder being unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activities which contribute to their good health. They have regular opportunities to play outside in the childminder's garden, visit adventure playgrounds and go on walks. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. They are provided with nutritious meals and snacks, taking account of their individual dietary needs, likes and parental wishes. The childminder alternates a two weekly tea menu which is shared with parents so that they know what their child will be eating. Meals are taken at the dining table and are a social occasion for all to enjoy. Children are encouraged to take regular drinks, particularly in warm weather and when they have been physically exerting themselves.

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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 welcoming home where the childminder is very aware of children's developing abilities and safety equipment is used as and when necessary depending on the age of the children being cared for. The childminder carries out a regular risk assessment on her home and garden to ensure that potential risks and hazards are identified and she takes appropriate action to minimise them. Children learn about how to be safe near roads because the childminder talks to them about road safety when they are crossing the road outside her home. The childminder's rear garden is secure and she checks it before use to ensure it is safe for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities towards the children in her care. She has a comprehensive child protection policy, although her procedures do not refer to the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance to day carers. Children have use of a good range of suitable and safe equipment for both indoor and outdoor play which the childminder rotates to ensure they have the opportunity to play with a good variety of toys suitable for their development and enjoyment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care. They are able to choose from a good range of toys and resources building on their interests as well as participating in more structured activities such as making glittery photo frames. Children enjoy outdoor play and dressing up as a pirate and snow white. The childminder refers to the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help her provide appropriate experiences for children under three. She attends two group activities during the week to provide opportunities for children to socialise with other children and try out different activities to those she provides for them. Children experience warm relationships with the childminder which promotes their confidence and self esteem.

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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 outstanding. Children are very confident in their relationship with the childminder because she values and respects them as individuals which promotes a sense of wellbeing and aids their emotional development. Children learn about the world around them from planned activities such as sending and receiving postcards to children living in other countries. Children have opportunities to play with a good range of resources and books which reflect positive images of people who are different from themselves. Children are polite, behave well and respond very well to the childminder's skilful behaviour management techniques which take full account of each child's stage of development and level of maturity and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care and welfare are successfully promoted because the childminder develops extremely positive working relationships with parents. She shares her policies and procedures with them including what they should do if they are unhappy about any aspect of the service she provides. Periodically she quality assures her provision by asking parents and children to complete a short questionnaire. Clear settling in procedures ensure that children settle well and parents can confidently leave their children in the childminder's care. The childminder completes a daily diary and maintains a communication book with parents so that all comments are documented and easily referred to. This is in addition to the information that is exchanged verbally on a daily basis so that parents know exactly what their child has been doing and how they have been during the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Resources, space and routines are effectively organised to ensure that children are comfortable and content in the childminder's care. Children have opportunities for free choice play as well as more structured, adult led activities in the safe and secure environment. The childminder has thought carefully about which areas of her home to use for childminding purposes to ensure sufficient space for minded children while providing privacy for her own family. Children's care and welfare are safeguarded by clear documentation. Policies and procedures are shared with parents and updated as necessary to meet current requirements. Records are stored securely and confidentiality is well maintained. The children's care experience is secured by the childminder's commitment to develop her childcare practice by taking advantage of local training and development opportunities and by becoming a member of the Northamptonshire

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Organisation

Childminding Network. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable: this is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take 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 to parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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 child protection procedures comply with the Local Safeguarding Children Board recording and referral guidelines

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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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