Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281175 Unique Reference Number 07 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 2004. She lives with her husband and son aged four years the Ise Lodge area of Kettering. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently cares for two children under five during the day and three children of school age after school and some school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups. She is a member of the Northamptonshire Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care from the childminder's own good practices. For example, children are taught that they should wash their hands before eating and that they should dry their hands on their own towel to prevent the possibility of cross-infection. Food preparation and eating surfaces

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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 are cleaned before and after use and the childminder follows clear procedures to maintain good levels of hygiene in the kitchen. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a current first aid certificate, a well stocked first aid kit and feels confident to administer first aid when necessary. She has written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and suitable procedures are in place should a child become unwell while in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activities which contribute to their good health and they have daily opportunities for fresh air on the walk to and from nursery and school, playing in the childminder's garden and during visits to a nearby park. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. However, a young child sleeps in a buggy for approximately two hours each morning. Whilst this is the parents' request, the childminder has not discussed with them that this is not good practice or tried to reach a compromise with them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with nutritious meals and snacks taking account of their individual needs, likes and parental wishes. Parents provide the food until children are weaned. The childminder provides parents with sample menus so they know what their children will be eating. The childminder tries to ensure that children have five portions of fruit and vegetables each day to help maintain their good health. Meals are taken together and are a social occasion for all to enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very welcoming home where potential risks and hazards are identified and swift action is taken to minimise them. The childminder is very aware of children's developing abilities and so ensures that appropriate measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations occurring. For example, door slam protectors are used to prevent young children trapping their fingers in doors. All the measures used ensure that children are able to move around the house safely and independently. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussion with the childminder and by following good road safety practices when they are walking to and from nursery and school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected from possible or neglect because the childminder has a thorough understanding of her role and responsibilities whilst protecting the children in her care. She is familiar with the local child protection procedures for recording information and referral knowing who to contact should she have concerns about a child in her care. Children have easy access to a wide range of suitable and safe toys and equipment for both indoor and outside play. The childminder conscientiously checks things regularly to ensure everything is safe and clean for children to use and to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled and happy in the childminder's care. They are able to choose from a comprehensive range of toys, resources and games building on their natural curiosity as learners as well as participating in varied planned activities such as making glittery firework pictures, washing dolls in bubbles or playing with soft balls and balloons in the shell. Children also enjoy playing outside in the garden and going to the park. The childminder refers to the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help her provide a wide range of appropriate experiences for children under three years old. She attends two group activities during the week to provide opportunities for the younger children to socialise with other children of a similar age. Children

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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 enjoy outings to the library where they choose books to look at together with the childminder. Children experience warm relationships with the childminder which promotes their confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very confident in their relationship with the childminder because she clearly values them as individuals which helps to promote their sense of wellbeing and aids their emotional development. Children learn about the world about them from planned activities, walks in the local area and from playing with a range of resources and books which reflect positive images of people who are different from themselves. Children are polite, well behaved and respond positively to the childminder's skilful behaviour management strategies which take account of each child's stage of development, level of understanding and maturity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care, welfare and learning are on the whole successfully promoted by the positive working relationships developed with parents. The childminder shares policies and procedures with parents which explain how she operates her childcare service including how to make a complaint. 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 child. Parents of children under the age of three can choose to have a daily communication diary completed by the childminder so that they have a written record of their child's day. This is in addition to the information that is exchanged verbally on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Resources, space and routines are organised to ensure that children are 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 to ensure sufficient space for minded children while providing privacy for her 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. Children's care experience is secured by the childminder's commitment to develop her childcare practice by taking advantage of local training opportunities and by becoming a member of the Northamptonshire Childminding Network. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue to develop her knowledge and understanding of promoting the development of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has successfully achieved this through training and liaison with parents and professionals who provide support for children and families.

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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 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 discussions with parents relating to children's individual care are recorded (relates to potential health issues around young children sleeping in buggies for extended periods of time).

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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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