Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY254261 Unique Reference Number 10 December 2007 Inspection date Gail Groves 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, nine and 11 years old in Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder’s house except for the main bedroom 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 four children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group, goes to the library and takes children to the local park. The family has two pet rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 protected from infection and are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. For example, she excludes children with infectious illnesses for appropriate periods of time, provides each child with their own individual towel and uses a nappy changing routine which protects children from the risk of cross-infection. Any children requiring medication are dealt with appropriately and the childminder ensures that medication records are completed correctly. In addition, children learn to understand simple, good health and hygiene practices such as washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They are therefore developing good hygiene routines for later life.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished and their health and dietary needs are met because the childminder works well with parents. Children's allergies and needs are discussed with parents before they start to attend and any particular dietary requirements and parental wishes are carefully met. The childminder offers healthy snacks and sometimes discusses with children why it is important that they should eat fruit and vegetables rather than biscuits. However, opportunities for children to learn about healthy eating are limited and as a result, they are not developing an understanding of the role that food plays in developing a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical activity both indoors and outdoors. They use a large trampoline, a slide and a swing in the garden and visit the park to run energetically, play ball games and use large scale equipment such as the climbing frame. Inside, they enjoy music and movement sessions and visit soft play areas. As a result, they are developing coordination and learning to enjoy exercise. Active play is balanced by quieter play and children are encouraged to rest and sleep according to their needs so that they do not become overtired and fractious. For example, young children's sleep routines are discussed with parents, and the childminder follows these carefully so that children have continuity and become settled and content.

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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, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment in which the risks to their safety are minimised so that they can move around freely and safely. In addition, they use good quality, suitable and safe equipment which is well-maintained and meets their differing needs. Consequently, they are able to play and take part in activities safely and appropriately. For example, young children who are learning to use the toilet have access to an appropriate toilet seat and a step so that they can safely learn to be independent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe through discussions with the childminder about practical situations as they arise within their environment. For example, they learn not to run in the house and when they are out walking with the childminder, she discusses road safety rules and they learn that they must stop, look and listen before crossing the road. Appropriate procedures help to keep children safe on outings. Young children are strapped into the buggy and older children learn that they must hold onto it and walk on the side of the childminder which is furthest from the road. Also, the childminder always takes a first aid kit and her mobile telephone with the children's contact details programmed into it so that she can contact their parents if there is an emergency.

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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 also safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. For example, she is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse, understands the need to keep records of any concerns she may have and has all of the necessary documentation and contact details readily to hand should she need to report any such concerns. Her written policy, which she shares with parents, enables them to clearly understand how she intends to safeguard their children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a range of planned activities and spontaneous events which support all areas of their development and learning. For example, they regularly visit local parent and toddler groups, attend music groups and go on trips to the local farm and museums to mix with other children and develop social skills. They play with 'Home Corner' toys, dolls and cars to extend their imagination and to practise and develop their understanding of what they see happening in the world around them. They look at books, listen to stories and interact with the childminder to develop language and communication skills and enjoy painting, modelling and gluing to extend their creative skills. In addition, they cut with scissors, draw with crayons and complete peg puzzles to develop increasing control of their small muscles and improve their hand and eye coordination. Playing with the garden toys and taking part in obstacle

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

courses develops their large muscle skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle and are happy in the setting. As a result, they confidently take part in all of the play opportunities available to them and readily make decisions, explore and investigate their environment. They are able to choose activities and access toys independently and can therefore extend their understanding and learning as they pursue their own particular play interests. For example, they explore what happens when they press the button on an interactive fire station toy and carefully observe how the door goes up so that they can put the fire engine inside. The childminder supports and extends children's thinking and learning by intervening carefully in their play. For example, she encourages a young child who is playing with some cars to develop his imagination and language skills by pretending to be someone ordering food in a drive-through restaurant and saying what she would like to order.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs are well met. The childminder has cared for most of them since they were babies, knows and understands them well and is therefore able to provide them with appropriate support to encourage their progression towards the next stage in their development. For example, she provides young children who are learning to talk with a clear model of speech to copy and encourages their communication and social skills by ensuring that she responds positively to their attempts at speaking even when they are unclear or difficult to understand. She develops their vocabulary and sentence construction throughout her interactions with them by asking careful questions and by repeating and extending their sentences back to them. As a result, they learn to relate well to others and are developing good social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's emotional development is well-supported because they are valued and included and feel a sense of belonging. The childminder treats them as part of her family and has an affectionate relationship with them. As a result, they are content and happy in her care. Children

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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 have their individual needs well-met because the childminder works in close partnership with parents and carers. She shares information about their children with them on a daily basis and is flexible in meeting their care needs. For example, she is prepared to travel greater distances to take and collect a child who will be attending a new school in another area in order to maintain stability and continuity of care for that child. Parents are fully informed about the childminder's policy for dealing with complaints, and are therefore assured that their concerns will be fully respected and acknowledged. However, there is currently no procedure in place to record and share with them a summary of complaints should any be made. Therefore, they cannot be informed of factors that potentially impact on their children's well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to understand responsible behaviour because the childminder is clear and consistent in her approach. She praises and values their efforts and achievements and uses age-appropriate methods to deal with any unwanted behaviour. For example, she talks to children about why their behaviour is inappropriate so that they understand what is required of them. With her support, children are learning to work harmoniously with others and are therefore beginning to develop positive relationships. They make choices and take decisions throughout their daily routine so that they develop independence and self-esteem. They are encouraged to share and take turns and eagerly help to tidy away toys when they have finished playing with them. As a result, they are learning to be aware of their own needs, to respect the needs of others and to develop good social skills. In addition, they benefit from some activities

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and resources which help them to value diversity and to develop a positive awareness of the differences and similarities between people. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are given effective help to extend and support their development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose and a high regard for the well-being of all children. She attends training to update and enhance her skills and her policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. All of the necessary documentation for the safe and efficient management of the provision is in place and record keeping systems are used well to meet children's needs. Consequently, children's care, learning and play is fully supported.

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Organisation

In addition, because she limits the number of children in her care at any one time, the childminder is able to give them a lot of individual support and attention in order to help them develop new skills and understanding. She organises her time and the available space effectively and plans art and craft activities in advance. As a result, she is able to ensure that she has the necessary resources prepared and ready so that children are not kept waiting. Also, her play room is well laid out to maximise the useable space and create safe storage areas. Therefore, children can independently choose and select their own activities and resources because these are stored accessibly in boxes and on low level shelving.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given an action to ensure that she obtains written permission from parents before administering medication to children. She now records the details of what medication is to be given including the time and amount to be administered and asks parents to sign the record. As a result, children's health is fully protected.

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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 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): • promote the good health of children by developing their knowledge and understanding of healthy eating and healthy living • set up a procedure to make a written record of any complaints, any action taken and the outcome of any investigation.

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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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