Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY284630 Unique Reference Number 22 October 2007 Inspection date Suman Willis 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 August 2004. She lives with her husband and one child aged 15 years in the old town area of Stevenage. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden, but this is not available for the children to use at this time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged between 10 months and seven years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks children to and from the local school and takes children on outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing their physical skills as they walk to and from school daily. They enjoy visiting the park and playing football. Babies demonstrate their physical skills as they learn to walk using wheeled toys. Consequently, children are involved in a variety of physical activities which help to promote their physical skills and ensure that they have regular fresh air to stay

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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 healthy. Children sleep according to their individual needs; this enables them to participate in all activities feeling fresh and rested.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because of the clear policies and procedures the childminder has developed. For example, parents are informed of the childminder's sickness policy and written permission from parents is obtained to administer emergency aid. The childminder has up to date knowledge of administering emergency aid which ensures that children stay safe and healthy. Children understand good simple health and hygiene practices as they lean to independently access the toilet and are reminded to wash hands before meals. Babies hands and faces are cleaned with wet wipes, thus ensuring that their hygiene needs are also met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and they are offered the option of bringing a packed lunch. Sample menus are shared with parents this enables parents to be informed of the what their children may be eating. Information about children's individual dietary needs is provided by parents and the childminder ensures that these are met, thus ensuring that children stay healthy and their specific needs are adhered to. Children freely access drinks which are left out in the kitchen/dining room; this helps to promote children's independence of managing their own body needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. The house is secure, which ensures that children do not leave unsupervised. Children have access to the lounge and kitchen/ dining room, moving freely and safely between the two. Children stay safe because the childminder carries out regular risk assessments within the house and the emergency escape plan is clearly displayed and carried out regularly; this ensures that children and visitors are familiar with what to do should the need arise. However, children's safety is compromised because the fire blanket is not easily accessed. Safety procedures such as storing dangerous substances out of reach are implemented. Children demonstrate a good understanding of staying safe as they talk about safety when carrying out activities such as making shakers out of empty plastic bottles and why the tops must be secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently access a broad range of age-appropriate resources. These are regularly checked and washed to ensure that they are safe and hygienic for children and babies to play with. Toys which are not safe for babies are stored out of their reach enabling them to make independent choices safely. Babies stay safe as the childminder sits with the children supporting and observing them in their play to ensure that they stay safe, thus enabling them to explore and learn safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and engage in their play and learning with enthusiasm. They are given ample opportunities to participate in a broad range of age appropriate activities, which extends their learning. Children are engrossed in activities and show interest in what they do. For example, they enjoy making a variety of shakers using different materials and different shape and size bottles. They experiment with different amounts and different shapes to test the different

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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 sounds. Children use good language skills as they describe pasta shapes as 'squiggly'. Their knowledge is extended as the childminder asks the children if they know what happens to the pasta when it is put in hot water. Children's understanding of volume and size is increased as they discuss quantities when filling different bottles. Due to the good relationship developed between the children and the childminder, children approach the childminder with confidence and delight in playing games such as 'Jacks' and comparing who can pick up the most. Children enjoy using their imagination as they use boxes as boats and create funny faces on biscuits.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies are excited as they are fully involved in all the activities at their own levels. For example, they love posting pasta shapes in empty crisp boxes while being supported. They enjoy playing with older children and are delighted as older children play chasing games with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled. They feel a sense of belonging as they relate well with the childminder and her family. Children make individual choices as they independently choose their own play materials. Information about children's individual needs is provided by parents to ensure that they are effectively met; this helps children to feel secure. Children learn about their local community as they go for daily walks to the school and visit the park and shops. They are developing a good understanding about the wider world as they play with toys such as puzzles, play people and books which reflect positive images, which helps them understand about other cultures and beliefs. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and delight in the praise and encouragement offered by the childminder. They are polite and say 'please' and 'thank you' without prompt. They eagerly talk about the childminder talking about the various activities they enjoy doing with her. Children feel valued by the childminder because she listens to their suggestions and praises them accordingly. All children work very well together and older children enjoy supporting younger children. Babies are delighted as older children play 'peek-a-boo' with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship developed between the parents and the childminder. Parents are fully informed on a daily basis through diary sheets about their children's day. All documents promoting children's care are effectively shared with parents. The childminder has developed a clear complaints procedure and ensures that parents are informed of what to do should they have any concerns about their children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared by a childminder who has a good understanding of child development. The childminder ensures that children are highly regarded and that they are safeguarded by evaluating her practice and developing methods to protect children. Children are positively supported because the childminder is very well organised and provides a routine which the children are familiar with; this enables them to feel secure and settled. Children's health, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution are effectively promoted through clear policies and procedures.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: complete training in first aid and obtain written consent from parents to take photographs of the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's health and safety is now fully regarded by the childminder because she has updated her knowledge and understanding of first aid. Parents wishes are now taken into account as the childminder obtains prior written permission from parents to take photographs of their children, thus promoting a positive partnership with parents for the benefit of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the registration 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): • develop a more robust risk assessment procedure which ensures that all areas of risk are identified; this refers to the fire blanket which is not easily accessed.

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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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