Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY218316 Unique Reference Number 17 January 2008 Inspection date Dawn Biggers Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and son aged five in Sea

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Mills, Bristol. Most areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She attends the local toddler group, takes children to the local library and park. The family has two cats.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is aware of the requirements for administering medication and recording accidents. Children begin to learn about good hygiene

p.2

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 practices through well-planned daily routines. For example, the childminder acts as a role model washing her hands and encouraging children to do this before they eat and after using the toilet. Hand drying and washing facilities minimise the risk of infection well, for instance, they use separate flannels and towels. This is also highlighted within the childminder's good sickness policy and changing procedures. For example, she has clear arrangements for when children become unwell and uses a disposable cover on the changing area and gloves as required. Good procedures for the care of animals are maintained to safeguard children, for instance, the cats are inoculated and the food bowls are inaccessible.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Drinks regularly provided ensure children are not thirsty, for instance they access their beaker in the play room and during meal times. Children begin to benefit from a healthy diet as the childminder provides nutritious home cooked meals and snacks, such as shepherds pie, lasagne, fruit and raisins. The childminder also takes account of the wishes of parents to provide nutritious light meals, for example, sandwiches. Close liaison with parents ensures children's individual needs are met, for instance, they discuss a child's food intake and diet.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they walk, visit the park and use a good range of outdoor equipment, such as the slide, push along toys and space hopper. They rest within their routines and enjoy quieter play, for instance drawing and looking at the books.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good safety measures are in place for outings, for example, the childminder carries emergency contact numbers and closely supervises the children. She uses good age-appropriate safety equipment, such as reins, a pushchair and harness. She encourages young children's awareness of road safety by discussing this and acts as a role model.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy their play in a safe, secure and appropriately maintained home. The relaxed environment is enhanced with music and rhymes playing quietly in the background. Children have good access to a wide selection of high quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. These are organised at a low-level, therefore, children begin to make choices and are regularly introduced to stimulating toys to support their learning and development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of potential hazards as she has completed a visual risk assessment of her home. Therefore risks have been clearly identified and minimised, for example, cushions cover the hearth, socket covers, door stoppers and safety film are used and appropriate fire safety equipment and checks are in place. The childminder has an emergency evacuation plan in considering how children leave the home safely in an emergency; however this has not been practised. Young children are safe whilst resting on the first floor as the childminder uses a monitor and checks them. Children develop an awareness of aspects of safety as the childminder encourages young children to continue blowing their food as this cools.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues, knows what to do if she has a concern about a child, and has the current referral procedures. She shares her policy with parents.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed. They have good, secure, warm relationships with the childminder, which increase their wellbeing. Children are responsive to the childminder's positive interactions. They generally use language confidently, for instance making reference to the childminder's son being at school and express that the 'two cars are hiding'. Young children develop early communications skills, for example, they use vocal sounds, a few singular words and point. Their language is encouraged using different strategies, such as repetition.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond to the childminder's sense of humour and enthusiasm and enjoy the good attention they receive. For example, children play with the childminder racing games with the cars and smile and laugh. Children explore using their senses, they concentrate well whilst sticking the cotton wool on the snowman. Children enjoy nursery rhymes they sway their body to music and participate clapping to 'Wind the bobbin up' and other familiar songs. The childminder positively engages them and they play a game looking for the different shapes and colours on the sponge mat. Children develop their hand and eye co-ordination well; they make marks with the aqua pen and draw around their hand and the childminder's. Young children attempt to put shapes in the sorting box and are effectively encouraged and supported.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's good awareness of children's development ensures she provides a wide variety of stimulating activities to support their steady progress and interests. Therefore they are occupied and provided with suitable challenges. The childminder implements the Birth to three framework, making observations and taking photographs and uses these to plan for their next steps.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder establishes good relationships with parents and therefore this promotes children's well-being. Daily discussion and written information about children's routines and progress informs parents of their day. A good range of policies and procedures are shared with them and written agreements are clearly implemented. Observations and photographs have begun to be used to provide evidence of children's progress and are a means for discussion. Therefore, parents are involved in their experiences.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as they respond to the childminder's consistent, caring approach. She is aware of their individual needs and ensures they are stimulated by introducing different activities. Regular praise and encouragement acknowledges their achievements, for instance, when they draw around her hands and move to music. Therefore, this builds their self esteem and confidence.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Within an inclusive environment the childminder liaises closely with parents, for example, about their backgrounds and discusses areas to support a child's development and speech. Children are valued and respected as the childminder engages in discussion about their day at school and friends. Also about their favourite television characters, such as the 'Tweenies'. Activities include them all, for instance, they participate in drawing and contribute to making a large snowman collage. Children begin to learn about the local community as they walk to the park and go on regular outings, for example to the farm. They learn about differences when attending toddlers groups. Children have access to a satisfactory range of resources which reflect differing cultures, for example, dolls, books and some dressing up clothes are used. Some celebrations

p.4

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 are introduced where children begin to make craft items, for instance for Christmas. The childminder is presently compiling more information about festivals to include these in her range of activities.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's shares her good range of policies and procedures with parents to promote children's well-being and therefore they are informed about her services. The documentation is organised and all consents are in place to promote children's welfare. The childminder has attended regular courses, for example, Basic Food and Hygiene and Child Safety. Therefore this builds upon her practices. She has begun to access training about the Early Years Foundation Stage in preparation for its implementation.

p.5

Organisation

Children are settled and happy and receive good attention and support. They play with a good variety of resources which support all aspects of their learning and children enjoy freely moving in the play areas. The childminder has a flexible weekly plan and liaises closely with parents about children's routines. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved children's safety and her resources and general practice.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has up-to-date child protection procedures and devised a policy and a risk assessment of the home is implemented in promoting children's safety. The childminder has purchased more multicultural resources and borrows toys from the local toy library. Therefore promoting a more positive view of equal opportunities and extending children's awareness of diversity.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 the devised emergency escape plan is practised.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6