Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY231330 Unique Reference Number 15 October 2007 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal 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 2002. She lives in Luton with her husband and four children, two of whom are adults and two aged 14 and 10 years old. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, including a downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight-years-old and is currently minding eight children on a part-time basis. The childminder uses her car to take and collect children from schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into a clean and well maintained environment where they can play, rest and sleep according to their individual needs. They take part in a range of routines and positive practices that promote their good health effectively. Young children begin to understand the importance of good hygiene practices through daily routines as the childminder washes their hands throughout the day, especially after playing outside and before eating. Children take off outdoor shoes before they enter in the play area. They have their own named

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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 food bowls and individual bedding. Children bring their own coloured cups from home for drinks. There are appropriate arrangements regarding the care of sick children. This ensures positive steps are taken to minimise cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children are developing their physical skills as they have good space to move around in the home. They are gaining in confidence using a range of play equipment safely. They enjoy their daily play time in the garden, using a good range of play resources and equipment. For example, children learn to balance as they pedal their bikes, use the see-saw, climb the slide and play ball games or dig in the sand.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet as they have healthy snacks and nutritious freshly home cooked meals at the childminder's home. For example, for lunch children have fresh spinach cooked with rice, onions and lentils. They have crackers and carrots for their snacks. Dietary needs are discussed with parents and recorded, ensuring that any allergies are monitored effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing confidence in a child-oriented, lively environment where risks of accidental injury are minimised as the childminder carries out daily risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. Children have safe access to a good range of play resources and equipment, appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe through their daily activities and through the childminder’s guidance. For example, when young children use play equipment such as the slide, the childminder reminds children to be careful and supervises them well. She talks to older children about road safety when they are out. Older children learn about fire safety as they practise fire drills regularly with the childminder. Children are well protected as the childminder understands her duty to protect children in her care. She has an understanding of child protection issues and procedures in line with local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are inspired to learn as the childminder provides a stimulating environment and a variety of activities to instigate their interest. The childminder plans activities and daily routines to ensure activities are appropriate to children’s understanding level and meet individual children's needs. Older children are able to make choices about their play as they have access to a good range of activities which include, art and crafts, imaginative play, reading, constructive play, board games, dressing-up and outdoor play. Their work is valued and displayed in the childminder's home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children become independent as they explore their environment and are able to choose from a good range of play resources. They develop confidence as they manage to operate musical toys to make different noises. They develop their maths logics through daily activities. For example, they learn numbers as the childminder encourages them to count how many steps they manage to climb on the slide, how many bears and stars they can see in the book. Children are encouraged to talk about the colours of the toys they are playing with. Children develop their language as they are encouraged to speak, sing nursery songs and read books with the childminder. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they look after their dolls during

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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 their imaginative play. They build train tracks and childminder praises their efforts and achievement. The childminder observes young children and records their progress to share with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are included and valued by the childminder as the childminder ensures she addresses children's individual needs through discussions with parents. Children develop a positive attitude towards others’ beliefs, respect and value each other, through a good range of activities and play resources. For example, children taste different foods and play with a good range of play resources which reflect positive images of diversity. The childminder also talks about differences within the children. This helps them to accept and respect each other, including those who are different from them. The childminder welcomes all children into her service and is happy to work with parents and other agencies in order to support children's learning. Although there are no children with learning difficulties or disabilities, currently attending the setting, the childminder is able to provide care which includes them in the life of the setting, through

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established a good partnership with the parents which contributes significantly to the children’s well-being in the setting. The parents’ views about their children's needs and interests are actively sought before the children start at the setting. She has a good system in place to inform parents of their children's daily routine and activities. However, parents are not informed about the up-to-date complaints procedure which may impact upon her partnership with the parents and upon the children’s care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young children's behaviour is good as the childminder ensures they are constantly praised for their good behaviour and engaged in their favourite play. The childminder informs children and parents of strategies that apply during their play. For example, she reminds children that they must share and take turns with the toys. This also positively influences children's behaviour. The childminder also acts as an excellent role model, maintaining a calm approach to all issues and treating all children fairly.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care, development and learning are well promoted due to the effective organisation, space and play resources. Young children benefit greatly from well planned routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children are comfortable, content and their needs as met well as they play, eat, sleep and rest as required. The childminder gains her understanding of childcare through training and working with young children in the nursery. Children benefit from the childminder's qualifications and experience of caring for children as she skilfully organises her childminding arrangements to ensure she can provide all children with sufficient individual attention and enjoy spending quality time with all of the children, while doing activities, playing and reading with them.

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Organisation

Children are protected as all adults in the home have undergone suitable checks and the childminder ensures children are only collected by the authorised named person. A complete record of the daily attendance of all children is carefully maintained. Most policies and procedures are explained to parents at an initial meeting. All required written parental permissions are in place. Daily discussions with parents impact positively on the continuity of

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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 children's care. Children are well supported in their play and learning by the childminder who is caring, enthusiastic and committed to the children she minds. Overall, all of the children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve her understanding knowledge of child protection issues and to ensure accident book is completed confidentially. She was also asked to provide evidence of her driving licence.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare is protected as the childminder has gained her understanding knowledge in child protection issues through reading relevant information and Safeguarding Children board procedure booklet. She fully understands her duty to protect children in her care. She uses individual dairy to keep records of children's accidents to respect confidentiality and provide evidence of her valid driving licence. This impact positively on children's safety.

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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): • ensure that parents are informed about update complaints procedure.

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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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