Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277527 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2008 Inspection date Christine Holmes 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 satisfactory. 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 another childminder and her adult child in the town of Heanor, Derbyshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The front and back rooms on the ground floor and bathroom upstairs in the childminder's home are 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 walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time. When working with her co-minder she is registered to care for six children. Currently she is sharing the care of 10 children on a part-time basis with her co-minder.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The household have three dogs, a parrot, guinea pigs, lizards and tropical fish.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene. For instance, they learn they must wash their hands before eating and after toileting and to use paper hand towels to dry their hands, which reduces the risk of cross-infection. In general children's good health is suitably protected. Adequate arrangements are in place to record accidents and administer medication. However, the childminder has not obtained permission to seek emergency medical treatment. This does not ensure appropriate action can be taken in the event of children becoming ill in the childminder's care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure children are sufficiently nourished throughout the day. Children bring their own lunch and snacks from home which they are able to eat when they are hungry. Drinks are always accessable to children which helps to ensure they drink regularly. This supports children's well-being and health as it helps to ensure they are well hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily opportunities to access fresh air because they walk back from school each day. In fine weather they play on large outdoor equipment in the garden and at local parks. This helps to promote the development of their physical skills and supports their well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have sufficient space to rest and play. They are cared for in the downstairs of the house where they can move independently and safely between the front and back rooms. They have access to a suitable range of toys and resources and are able to make decisions about what they want to play with. This helps children to follow their own interest and initiate their own play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they learn to pick toys off the floor when they have finished playing with them so they do not fall over them and they practise the emergency evacuation plan. Hazards both indoors and outdoors are identified and minimised by the childminder. This helps to ensure the risk of accidental injury is minimised. The childminder has devised and implements some safety procedures which include carrying her own and children's details on her person during outings and agreeing a password with parents to be used by authorised persons when collecting children. This further protects children's safety and welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the different types of child abuse and possible signs and symptoms. She understands her role and responsibilities in safeguarding children and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the kind and caring approach of the childminder who spends time with them playing, talking and listening to them. This helps children to develop confidence and self-esteem. Some children have been cared for by the childminder and her co-worker since

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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 they were babies which contributes to the continuity of their care. As a result children are settled and play happily at the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a suitable, varied range of play and routine experiences. For instance, they go to local play areas where they have opportunities to meet other children which helps to develop their social skills. They take part in activities including colouring and drawing, fixing jigsaws and posting shapes which helps them to develop hand-eye co-ordination and become aware of space and shape. Older children have a range of games suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder places much emphasis on providing a relaxing environment after school where children are able to sit and chat about their day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

However, children under three years do not benefit from the childminder using the 'Birth to three matters' framework to make observations of their progress and to plan the next steps in their development and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has developed a wall display of information for parents which includes her registration conditions and some procedures. This helps to ensure parents are informed about the services she provides with her co-minder. However, she is not aware of the regulations relating to complaints and therefore has not provided parents with this information which is a mandatory requirement. This does not ensure that parents are fully informed of issues that may effect the care their children receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are supported to behave well and benefit from being cared for in a harmonious environment which supports their emotional well-being. They are engaged in conversations and encouraged to express their needs and feelings which helps children to feel they are contributing and help them to develop a strong sense of self-worth. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are supported appropriately and fully included. Whist children have the opportunity to discuss the different festivals they have celebrated at school they do not have access to play resources or take part in activities to support a positive awareness of the wider world.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall children's needs are met. The childminder and her co-worker provide a high level of individual attention for children and this has a positive impact on their care. She has a kind and caring manner and she spends her time interacting with children which supports their learning. Suitable organisation of the premises and resources ensures children can move freely and safely and access resources to play.

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Organisation

In general the childminder has a sufficient knowledge of the National Standards and most required procedures are in place to support children's health and safety and welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure positive steps are taken to further improve fire safety precautions and promote the safety of children on outings. The childminder has made suitable progress. She has devised and practised an emergency escape plan and she

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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 carries her own and children's details on outings to be used in the even of an emergency. This has improved children's safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to ensure children's records contain information which enables appropriate care to be given and to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. No action has been taken by the childminder to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Therefore this remains an area for improvement. Whilst children's records now contain more detailed information they still require some further written consents from parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 then 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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain written permission from parents for emergency medical advice and treatment • implement a complaints procedure in line with current regulations • ensure children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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