Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY250310 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 Inspection date Heather Tanswell 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three school aged children in Crelly, a rural hamlet near Helston, in Cornwall. Most of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding. The upstairs is used for rest only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 three children on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library and park. She is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association (CCMA) and National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a comfortable and clean home where standards of hygiene are high. Children's health is protected by the childminder who puts each child's needs first if a

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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 sudden illness arises, in liaison with their parents and other health professionals. Tables are washed down before and after every use, which keeps them clean, fresh and ready for their next use. Children acquire good personal hygiene routines and begin to understand the reason for washing their hands. Instead of using individual towels to protect children from cross infection, hand towels are shared. However, they are washed at the end of every day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn how to stay fit and well through interesting activities and daily routines based on information received from parents. Discussions about keeping healthy through eating nutritious foods are reinforced by the healthy and varied snacks the childminder, and/or parents, prepare for each child. Children eat meals such as scrambled egg, fish pie, or meat and fresh vegetables at their own pace, learning good manners and eating habits. The childminder encourages children to finish the savoury foods and fruit before eating any treats. As a result, children enjoy their food and eat well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of robust physical exercise out in the fresh air. There are indoor and outdoor activities that enable children to develop control of their bodies. They confidently and skilfully scramble about climbing equipment with slides, use hoops and balls, and pedal around on ride on toys, and jump about on a trampoline, as well as take part in organised gym club sessions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious, child-orientated home where risks are identified and minimised. Suitably positioned gates and locked doors effectively secure the premises, keeping children safe from harm. Children select from a wide range of good quality toys, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys, making sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder discusses issues as they arise. For example, when a child tries to take off the lid of a home made musical instrument and found it stuck down securely, the childminder uses questions and answers to help the child understand why it must remain shut as it contains small parts. A detailed emergency evacuation plan ensures the childminder knows exactly what to do if a fire breaks out, but it is not practised with the younger children. Safety restraints keep children safe in high chairs, and cars.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to promote children's welfare. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Children are safeguarded from harm as the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection policies and procedures backed up by latest central and local government guidance documents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, keen to involve the childminder in their games and share ideas. They learn through play at well-resourced, meaningful activities and daily routines that take into account their individual needs and seasonal interests. Children's understanding of the natural world develops through discussion in response to their ideas and questions. For example, the childminder explains what happens to snowmen when the weather warms up and that as he is wearing a hat it must be cold, so he will not melt away.

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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 makes very good use of Birth to three matters to evaluate children's learning and share her knowledge of individual children's achievements with their parents. Encouraged by her, children use their imagination and hand to eye co-ordination to construct recognisable farmhouses and animals. As they manipulate dough into shapes, they pretend they are making and serving meals. Children integrate the good example set by the childminder, with regard to eating habits, into their role-play by explaining that the adult must eat the pizza before the ice cream. Children go on outings to local places of interest, such as parks, tourist attractions and library, all of which helps them socialise with a wider circle of children and adults and develops their understanding of the world they live in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about their community and the wider world they live in through well-planned activities and meaningful experiences. Children celebrate festivals such as Christmas, Chinese New Year and Diwali. Resources to raise children's awareness of diversity, such as role-play and small world toys, are used in daily play. Additional books borrowed from the library extend the range already on offer and provide positive images of people from a wide range of cultures and people with disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Settling in procedures ensure children feel safe, secure, comfortable and make new friends. Children behave very well, enjoy themselves and are full of confidence. Children show care and concern for others. This is largely due to how well the childminder re-enforces positive behaviour and keeps children fully occupied and interested. Children know the daily routines very well. They select resources and help to tidy away, which develops their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is very good. The childminder provides them with sight of a well-organised portfolio that includes all the relevant policies and procedures to explain how she manages her business. The folder is illustrated with photographs of children at play to show the range of activities on offer as part of daily routines. Parents particularly value the time the childminder takes in recording and sharing observations of learning and details of routine activities in daily diaries. As a result, relationships are very good and parents are confident to leave their children in the care of a childminder they get to know very well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a well-qualified childcare professional who is keen to update her knowledge of good practice and skills through training. The home is very well planned and organised for play and rest, in a calm and supportive atmosphere. The creative use of the inside and outside space and regular outings ensures children have a variety of play experiences throughout the day and form friendships with other children.

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Organisation

The implementation of all the well-written and regularly reviewed policies and procedures, promotes the welfare and care of children. The record keeping systems are used successfully to keep parents fully informed about their child's day. 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 keep a record of installation and servicing certificates for inspection. The service details are now kept on file for inspection, showing that appliances are maintained properly and safe to use.

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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.

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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): • use individual hand towels to minimise the risk of cross infection • practice emergency evacuations with children to ensure they know what to do to keep themselves safe

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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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