Jones Emma Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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161741 Unique Reference Number 10 October 2007 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin 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 has been registered for eight years. She lives with her partner and son in an end of terrace house in Pewsham, Chippenham. Children have access to the lounge and dining area. The first floor is only used for sleeping children and the bathroom. Children use the fully enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years and currently cares for five children at various times. The family have two cats and two tortoises. She is a member of the Pewsham childminding support group and regularly attends meetings. The childminder is qualified to level three in childcare and education and regularly attends training.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in warm, clean premises. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the need to maintain good standards of hygiene in the home. For example, cleaning surfaces prior to food preparation and eating, and ensuring pets are not a health risk to the children. Older children learn about the importance of hand washing routines, being encouraged to wash

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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 their hands after using the toilet and prior to eating. This promotes the good health of the children. However, younger children wipe their hands prior to eating and thus they do not learn the importance of hand washing and the effects of this on their health. Children's health is well protected through the childminder's up to date knowledge of first aid and her accurate recording of accidents and medication administered to the children in her care. The sickness policy is formally shared with parents to promote the children's well-being and reduce the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their awareness of healthy eating through the nutritious snacks they enjoy in the provision, for example, apple and raisins. The childminder provides meals for the minded children upon request, and these are healthy and balanced. Other children bring their lunches to the childminder's house, and these are stored in the fridge to protect their health. The childminder has discussions with parents regarding children's dietary needs and allergies. These are recorded and any individual needs and preferences are catered for. Children have access to drinks at all times and this means they have enough fluids throughout the day. Children's dietary needs are very well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise. They frequently visit the park, visit the shops to buy ingredients for cooking activities and visit local places of interest. They also visit soft play centres, go bowling, visit farms and have trips to the seaside. In the garden children have access to a variety of physical equipment, including a swing, balls, tunnels and ride-on toys. Children's physical skills are well supported by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in welcoming, child friendly premises where the best use has been made of the available space to meet the children's needs. Children have areas to rest, to eat, engage in messy play and plenty of floor space for play. Children play with a wide range of interesting toys that support and promote their development in all areas. These are well organised to enable children to access those they wish to play with, hence this encourages their confidence and independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play and rest in safe premises, free from risks, as the childminder has identified all potential hazards to the minded children and minimised these effectively. For example, sockets are covered, safety gates prevent access to the stairs and kitchen and the premises are all secure. Children, therefore, move around the premises with confidence and play in safety. Children learn to keep themselves and their peers safe, asking the childminder to close the safety gate after going to the toilet upstairs so the babies cannot climb up. When trying to fold down the buggy, children are reminded that it may hurt their fingers and are encouraged to be careful. All fire precautions are in place and the evacuation plan is displayed for all to see. The childminder has also displayed a children's version of the evacuation plan at low level, with a pictorial guide showing them what to do in the event of a fire. This is regularly practised with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the minded children and carefully monitored for its effectiveness. This promotes the children's safety in the event of a fire occurring.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is actively promoted by a childminder who records concerns and who formally shares her child protection duties with parents. Their welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a thorough knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy, settled and confident in the childminder's care. They are eager to share with adults the toys they are playing with, saying, 'Look fire engine'. Children display a secure bond with the childminder, as they readily approach her and sit on her lap for a cuddle. The childminder has a lovely rapport with them and says to one child 'That's a nice cuddle. You have made me all warm now'. This helps promote the children's high levels of confidence. Children are eager to engage in the activities provided for them, all sitting together at the table and playing with the play dough. Children roll the dough and are keen to talk about what they are making. For example, 'Look I've made a snake hiss!'. The childminder engages the children in high levels of conversation, talking to them about what they making and encouraging their language skills. Children repeat what the childminder says, demonstrating their success with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

regard to their language development. Therefore, children are confident in expressing themselves and communicating their needs to others. Children demonstrate a pride in their achievements and are keen to share their creations with both the childminder and their peers. They develop sound levels of concentration, sitting for long periods engaged in purposeful play. For example, playing with the play dough, threading shapes to make a bracelet and playing with the cars.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a wide range of activities that promote their development in all areas. Children regularly engage in role play, art and craft activities and music and are able to make choices in their play. They also engage in family type activities, including gardening and cooking. Children frequently visit places of interest in their local environment, including parks, soft play centres, library, shops and the childminder group. The childminder monitors children's progress through linking their achievements to the components in the Birth to three matters framework. Scrapbooks displaying photographs of children engaged in activities and observations of them at play are kept, and show their progress throughout their time in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's needs are extremely well met by a childminder who values and respects the children in her care. They are all fully included and supported in activities and these are tailored to suit the individual developmental stages of the children. Hence, children are encouraged to reach their full potential and have their self-esteem fully supported in the provision. Children for whom English is an additional language have their language development fully supported in the setting. Children have access to a wide range of resources that help them gain awareness and develop respect for the lives of others. Children with learning disabilities have their development well supported in the provision by the childminder, who liaises closely with parents to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the methods to use for managing children's behaviour, including the use of regular praise and encouragement. She is an excellent role model to the children and is extremely calm in her manner towards them. She is highly successful in recognising when children need additional support and diverts their attention to new activities and experiences to prevent negative behaviour occurring. She works very closely with parents regarding managing children's behaviour. Any patterns of behaviour are discussed and methods for managing agreed to ensure consistency for the children both at home and in the childminder's care. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own behaviour, contributing to house rules and reminding others of these. They write the 'Rules' and add to these when issues

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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 arise, and sign to say they agree to them. Children display respect for the environment they are cared for in, being keen to tidy away the toys prior to eating their snack.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive and open partnership with parents as they have their individual needs respected and are cared for in line with parents' wishes. Childcare issues are regularly discussed and any changes in routines or care agreed, offering the children continuity of care. The childminder has frequent discussions with parents regarding their child's care, and has developed scrapbooks outlining their development in line with the Birth to three matters framework. Hence parents are able to see the activities their child has participated in, as well as their progress. The childminder seeks views from parents regarding the service she offers in order to improve the care the children receive. This demonstrates her professionalism and commitment to offering high quality care to children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a suitable and highly qualified childminder. She has attended and continues to attend regular training to support her professional development. This enables her to offer the children new and exiting opportunities, and in turn enhance their learning. The childminder has a well organised portfolio which includes updated policies and procedures, which are reviewed to reflect current practice issues. She has, however, overlooked the need to promote hand washing with younger children. The childminder maintains a record of children's attendance and meets the required adult to child ratios at all times. Hence, children receive high quality adult support, as the childminder spends long periods engaged in play with them, interacting with them and supporting their individual needs effectively.

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Organisation

The childminder implements her policies and procedures in a way that fully promotes the children's welfare, care and learning. All required documentation is kept on the premises, is well organised and readily available for inspection. All necessary consents have been gained from parents regarding their children participating in routines and activities. This protects their well-being and ensures they are cared for in line with parents' wishes.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to ensure that pets do not present a hygiene risk and expand knowledge in disability and special needs issues.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The pets do not pose a risk to the children's health as food is not kept inside during childminding hours, records of worming are kept and hygiene routines followed after pets are touched. The childminder has attended relevant training in disability and special needs issues, and is experienced at caring for children with disabilities and in supporting their development.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection no complaints have been made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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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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

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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 younger children learn about the importance of hand washing and the effects of this on their health

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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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