Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY233233 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2008 Inspection date Anne Legge 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 since 2003 and may care for up to five children aged under eight years. She lives in Ivybridge with her husband and two school-age children. The ground floor of the house is used for minding, as well as an upstairs bathroom. There is a secure rear garden for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for eight children, all of whom attend part-time. Family pets include a parrot and a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a spotlessly clean environment, where they are very well protected from infection. The childminder ensures that all surfaces are disinfected frequently, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Nappy changing procedures are very hygienic, as the childminder wears gloves and sprays the mat after each use. Children learn very good hygiene routines, washing their hands on arrival from school or pre-school, before they eat and after using the toilet. They each have individual flannels and they use liquid soap and paper towels, to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Pets are treated regularly for infestation and the childminder ensures

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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 that children do not play in areas of the garden where the dog may have soiled. Children receive good care when they are unwell or injured. The childminder has a current first aid qualification and she provides sensitive and appropriate care, when children sustain minor injuries. Records of accidents are comprehensive and shared appropriately with parents. Medication records are not always signed after administration, although the information is shared verbally with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to promoting healthy eating. Snacks include plenty of fresh fruit and the childminder provides well-balanced meals in school holidays, including bread, yogurt and fruit. She works closely with parents who provide meals, ensuring that children eat nutritious food, throughout the day. Special dietary needs are carefully recorded and met. Children have constant access to drinks, enabling them to maintain good fluid levels. They enjoy daily opportunities to be physically active and to play in the fresh air. They usually walk to and from school and pre-school, and they enjoy regular visits to the park, where they take part in their own sports days, using a very good range of equipment. Children play in the garden, using wheeled toys, a slide, see-saw and ball games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure home. Their security is assured, as the door is always locked, using a high-level device, and the garden gate is secure. There are good systems for ensuring that only authorised adults are able to collect children from the childminder. Children have plenty of space to move around safely in the lounge/dining room. They choose from a good selection of toys and resources, which are appropriate for their ages and in very good condition. The childminder regularly checks all equipment, to ensure that it is safe and clean for children's use. Children are safe on outings, as they use buggies, car seats and restraints, as appropriate. They know the childminder's clear routines for walking safely near roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good understanding of all safety issues and she regularly risk assesses her home, addressing any hazards. She uses gates across the kitchen and at the top and bottom of the stairs, and she carries a mobile gate with her when taking children to other people's homes, to increase their safety. Socket covers and locks on kitchen cupboards are also used effectively to reduce risks. Children are safe in emergencies, as the childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment and she regularly practises her evacuation procedures, so that children know the routine. She has established comprehensive procedures for any emergency, including carrying coded contact details for all children and arranging for another adult to help care for them, in extreme circumstances. Children are protected from abuse or neglect, as the childminder has worked hard to update her knowledge of safeguarding issues and procedures. She knows

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

how to respond effectively to concerns, although she lacks a detailed understanding of some aspects of good safeguarding practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happily settled with the childminder and they enjoy a wide variety of appropriate activities, which effectively promote their development. They extend their creativity, as they dress up and take part in role play or use a range of art, craft and collage materials. They enjoy singing and using musical instruments, or playing with toy farms, cars and trains. They design and make models, using a variety of construction sets and they regularly share books with the

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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 childminder. Children develop their understanding of numbers and letters, as they use a range of educational resources and games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has undertaken training in the Birth to three matters framework and she provides good sensory experiences for very young children. They play with sand, water and a variety of textures and materials. They use mirrors to develop their sense of self and they enjoy musical toys. Older children are offered support with homework and reading activities, as well as enjoying cooking and creative tasks. All children engage in outdoor physical play and trips to the park and other local attractions. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of children of different ages. She spends time talking and playing with them, promoting their development and extending their play, through very effective questions and discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from consistent care, due to the childminder's good systems for sharing information with their parents. She has thorough induction procedures, including initial visits and careful discussion of her policies and procedures. She spends time talking to parents daily, exchanging all relevant information. She also uses a white board to inform carers about their child's activities during the day. In addition, photographs of events and outings provide parents with visual evidence of their child's care. Most records are shared effectively and information about making complaints is displayed on a notice board. Parents sometimes complete questionnaires concerning their views about the quality of care offered and their responses indicate a high level of satisfaction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well, responding to the childminder's positive and consistent approach to managing their behaviour. They enjoy affectionate relationships with her and receive plenty of praise for their efforts, which effectively promotes their self-esteem. The childminder always shares information about significant incidents with parents, but she does not keep a record of them. She has a good understanding of equal opportunities issues and she is effective in meeting the individual needs of all children attending. Children learn about cultural differences, as they use resources, such as books and dolls, which reflect positive images of diversity. There are no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities on roll, but the childminder is committed to meeting all needs. She has experience of caring for children with mild physical impairments and understands the need to work closely with parents and other professionals.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy the facilities of a safe, clean, comfortable and child-friendly home. They are cared for by a committed and competent childminder, who skilfully meets their individual needs. The childminder is appropriately qualified and willing to complete further training, to update her knowledge and skills, for the benefit of minded children. Ratios are good and children receive plenty of individual attention. Their care is underpinned by mainly comprehensive and well organised documentation, although significant incidents are reported verbally, rather than recorded, and medication records are not signed by parents after administration. Children's details are stored confidentially, all consents are in place and a complaints log is available. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 improve her understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures and to keep her first aid qualification current. She was also asked to obtain all the required consents from parents and to inform carers of ways to make a complaint. Since that inspection, the childminder has improved children's safety, by increasing her understanding of safeguarding matters, although she is still unsure of some details. She has improved the consistency of children's care, by fully implementing procedures to obtain all the required consents and by providing clear instructions about making complaints. She has updated her first aid qualification, so improving the quality of care offered to children who are unwell or injured.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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): • further improve children's protection from harm by continuing to develop understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures • improve the consistency of children's care by keeping written records of significant incidents and ensuring that medication records are signed by parents after administration.

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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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