Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY252796 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2007 Inspection date Keriann Belcher 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 February 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten and 7 years. Their house is in a residential cul-de-sac in Seer Green. Childminding takes place on the ground floor only. There is a garden available for children's outside play. Her home is within walking distance of local shops, pre-school and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently caring for five children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has one pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted as the childminder maintains a clean, healthy environment. The childminder has generally effective hygiene practises in place for nappy changing which reduces

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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 the risk of cross contamination. Older children independently wash their hands at appropriate times during the day, but they all use the same towel to dry their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the healthy and nutritious foods offered to them. The childminder is fully aware of children's special dietary needs, which ensures that children remain healthy. Drinks are available throughout the day and children confidently ask for their drinks when needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise and experience outings to the park. The childminders garden is equipped with a swing, see-saw, tricycles and toy cars where children can also play during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of recording accidents and medication administration. However, she holds a valid first aid certificate which enables her to deal with any emergencies appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a suitably organised environment which allows them to move around freely. The childminder has identified potential hazards and minimized these within the home. For example, safety gates restrict children's access to the stairs and kitchen. The childminder has a generally good understanding of the importance of fire safety and practises her emergency evacuation procedures with children. However, the fire blanket is not fitted in accordance with the manufactures instructions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to play and sleep in comfort using furniture appropriate for their ages. The childminder ensures the furniture and play equipment is safe, clean and in good condition as she carries out regular checks. Toys are safe and suitable for the age groups of children and the childminder also constantly supervises children's play to ensure their overall safety is maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well being is safeguarded by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and knows the reporting procedure to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are secure and happy in the company of the childminder. She provides a varied range of toys and activities which encourages progress as well as being fun. For example the childminder tells the story of 'Granddad pots' with the use of props stored in a sack. Children spend most of their time free playing where they enjoy making model aeroplanes from construction bricks or playing in the pretend kitchen. The childminder knows the children well and their individual needs, routines and interests are taken into account when planning daily activities such as baking cheese and ham tarts for lunch during the school holidays.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children enjoy the activities provided. The childminder has attended some training on the Birth to three matters framework and ensures the children participate in a range of play to encourage their early development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play well together, sharing and taking turns.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated as individuals and the childminder strives to ensure that their individual care needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children of all ages take part in discussions about different countries and customs and locate them on the globe. This helps them develop a positive image of themselves and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. The childminder gives clear rules and boundaries about what is expected, which is age appropriate to the different age groups. The childminder also praises children for their achievements and this helps build up self esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises the importance of working with parents to ensure there is an effective partnership which benefits children. Information is shared verbally with parents everyday and a diary is used to record details of significant events or incidents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The environment is comfortable and organised to meet the children's needs and as a result children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. Children are well supported by the childminder who has a flexible routine to include play activities and time for rest and relaxation.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's secure understanding of the National Standards. She has a good understanding of the adult/child ratios and plans her daily routine to ensure she gives sufficient time to all children. She has some written policies and procedures and most of the required documentation is in place; except for medication consent not being specific to children's needs.

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Organisation

The childminder attends further training courses to continue to develop her skills and keep herself updated with current information.

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Organisation

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 make sure that parents understand the childminder's role in the protection of children and record children's pre-existing injuries. She has devised a system to record the required information and ensures parents are aware of her responsibility to safe guard children's welfare. She was also asked to; provide details on how parents may contact Ofsted if they have a concern and obtain a written agreement allowing the administration of medicine. The details of Ofsted are displayed, if parents have a concern and need to contact the regulator and she has obtained parental permission to administer medication. This protects children's safety and well being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 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. 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): • improve hand washing procedures • enhance the specific details to administer medication • improve the fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket ,which conforms to BSEN standards is located in the kitchen and fitted according to the manufacturers' instructions.

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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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