Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY248884 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Tracy Bartholomew 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 2003. She lives with her husband and nine year child in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder goes for walks, visits to the park and school pick-ups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for five children at any one time and is currently minding five children who attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from the spread of infection as precautions such as hand washing are part of the everyday established routines. In addition to this they are taught simple ways to help prevent the spread of infection such as covering their mouths when they cough, and using tissues. The childminder has a current first aid certificate; she is practical and has already

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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 enrolled onto a new course to maintain her understanding to protect the children in the event of them suffering accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy options when it comes to food and drink as this is actively promoted by the childminder. Children’s meals are brought in from home, and the childminder promotes healthy eating, therefore she encourages the children to eat their savoury contents and fruit before moving onto other items available. This promotes their good health and encourages the children to make healthy choices with regard to their diet. Drinks are available to the children throughout the day and are readily accessible to allow the children to obtain these when required.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy daily vigorous outdoor activities such as playing in the childminder's garden or while out on walks to the park, shops and to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play comfortably in a child friendly environment, as the home is welcoming to the children, with resources readily available. Children have use of appropriate facilities and can access age and developmentally appropriate toys within the home. Children are able to play and freely explore a very well maintained and safe dwelling, as the childminder is proactive in ensuring that her home is free from hazards. The childminder regularly risk assesses her home to maintain a high standard of safety for the children, and provides additional equipment to maintain this standard, such as using door cushions, stair gates and locks on the gate outside. This enables the children to make independent choices safely where all potential hazards have been minimised. All fire safety equipment is in place, and a suitable procedure is available, however the fire blanket is not fitted within the kitchen, which is required to conform to BSEN

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children play happily under the supervision of the childminder, they enjoy a varied range of planned and child led activities, which enable them to have a fun and fulfilled day. The childminder has a clear understanding and knowledgeable understanding of child protection. She has recently updated her knowledge by attending training, and is fully aware of the procedure to follow if she had a concern about a child in her care. Policies and procedures are available for the parents to ensure they are aware of the childminder's responsibilities regarding the welfare of their children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are secure and confident in the childminder's home, they settle well and are completely at ease in the setting. They communicate and relate well to each other, showing each other consideration, especially when building with the duplo bricks, building towers together. Children freely make decisions for themselves, regarding the resources they want to explore. They take part in age and stage appropriate activities such as reading books, painting, and colouring. The childminder has a wide selection of toys to assist the children’s knowledge and understanding of every day technology, for example the toaster and microwave, which she allows the children to express themselves with. For example one child decided that the baby’s hat needed to be cooked in the microwave; this resulted in good amounts of discussion and laughter between the childminder and 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 The childminder shows an excellent understanding of the individual development needs of the children. Children’s language and understanding is developing well through good conversations with the childminder. They discuss what they are doing and what the plans are for the day. Children’s social development is extended when they go out in the community, as they talk about nature and the birds, they benefit from regular trips out to the shops and visiting friends. This in turn develops the children's confidence and relationship forming abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive a good amount of individual attention and are treated equally. The childminder knows the children very well, and has up to date contracts in place to show the children's individual preferences. The children have use of many toys and resources that reflect the wider world and the differing peoples within it. The childminder welcomes all children, including those with additional needs, although she has no experience in this regard.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed sensitively and effetely; the childminder makes good use of discussion to develop the children's understanding of what is acceptable and to develop the children's understanding of how their behaviour makes others feel. Children received high levels of praise throughout the inspection, which in turn results in their behaviour being good, as well as promoting their individual self respect and esteem. This as a result, ensures that the children understand the boundaries within the home, and co-operative accordingly with each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close relationship which the childminder has developed with their parents. Time is set aside each day for in-depth discussions with parents. The childminder has recently developed her feedback to the parents by implementing a daily record book for the younger children, to allow the parents to get a full picture of what their children have been doing during the day. This level of communication allows greater continuity of care between home and the childminder for the minded children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to developing her childminding practice. She makes good use of her knowledge and skills to provide good quality care for the children in her care. The childminder understands her responsibilities for protecting children from persons who have not been police-checked. The childminder organises her home well for childminding purposes, ensuring space is used effectively, throughout the home. All legally required records, permissions and registers are in place and comply with legislation. A full range of appropriate policies and procedures are effectively in place and underpin her childminding practice well, showing a clear picture of her capabilities to provide good childcare. Children’s records are updated regularly, which ensures they continue to receive appropriate individual care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has completely updated all of her consents to ensure that she has this consent in place for all children. As a result, the children are safeguarded whilst in the care of the childminder.

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Improvements 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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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. 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 the fire blanket is fitted to the wall to conform with BSEN safety standards

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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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