Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY268991 Unique Reference Number 11 February 2008 Inspection date Janet Butlin Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband, adult daughter and granddaughter in Thornbury, a suburb of Plymouth. They live in a three bedroom, terraced house and the whole house is used when minding. There is a secure rear garden. The family have a fishpond, which is securely fenced off. The house is close to shops, parks, library and toddler groups. The garden backs on to an open area of grassland, which is sometimes used for walks. The childminder has been registered since 2003 and may care for up to five children under eight years. There are currently five children enrolled under the age of eight years, one of whom is her grandchild. The only family pets are some fish.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy healthy snacks of fruit and vegetables and benefit from the emphasis the childminder gives to healthy eating. Children bring packed lunches from home and these are promptly refrigerated to ensure they remain fresh. Parents respond well to the childminder's encouragement to pack children's lunch boxes with healthy and nutritious food. The childminder

p.2

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 has sought guidance from the local environmental health department regarding food preparation in the home. Children remain very well hydrated as they have frequent drinks.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children who become unwell whilst at the childminder's home receive good care as she keeps her first aid qualification up to date. She has good systems in place to record the administering of medication and is highly skilled in the area of personal medical care. Appropriate systems are in place to record accidents and all necessary consents have been obtained to enable the childminder to respond. Children play in a clean home where good standards of hygiene are implemented, for example, when changing nappies. Children wash their hands using liquid soap and usually paper towels. This helps to protect them from the risk of cross infection.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their muscles effectively as they go on frequent walks and outings. They bounce and play on equipment when they visit nearby activity groups. They are protected from the harmful effects of the sun as they wear sun hats and sun cream. The childminder also makes good use of umbrellas and canopies to provide shade in the garden.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a warm and welcoming home where they have ample space to play active games, eat their meals and sleep safely when they are tired. They access their toys and games easily and safely from an extensive range, all of which are set out for them invitingly. All toys and games are clean, and in good condition. Many toys and resources are specifically designed to be visually stimulating and are safe in design and construction. Children also play in a well equipped rear garden. This is secure, although the fence to the rear of the garden is low.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has conducted a risk assessment on the dwelling and regularly reviews this, for example, adapting barriers to meet the capabilities and stages of the children she is caring for. Children are protected from hazards as the childminder is aware of the need to ensure all low level glass is safe or inaccessible. Children are confident in the procedure to be followed in the event of having to evacuate the premises in an emergency. They have practised this routine regularly and each drill is recorded in helpful detail. However, the register of attendance is not promptly completed and this means it is not an accurate means of knowing who is on the premises in the event of such an emergency.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further supported as the childminder has a sound understanding of the child protection procedure. She has up to date guidance to refer to in the event of having a concern. However, she does not make sufficient use of her documentation to record incidents or, for example, pre-existing injuries that children may have sustained before they arrive in her care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and her assistants. Children play alongside each other, exploring the toys, talking and smiling happily. Young children become skilful communicators as they indicate which toys they would like to play with. They pass puzzle pieces to one another and their early attempts at words are repeated back to them which further develops their language and communication skills. They become competent learners as they work out how to build towers out of bricks and they make connections in their play as they work out how to make toy cars roll along the floor. Children's enjoyment is extended as they

p.3

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 go on frequent walks and outings to local places of interest. They attend nearby toddler groups and the toy library. Other activities include attending the local carnival and fun days. Children play in the childminder's garden, riding wheeled toys and playing with sand. They enjoy cooking and craft activities and even the youngest children develop their creativity as they explore paint and messy play. The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework and is keen to learn about forthcoming changes in Early Years care and education.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about cultural diversity in meaningful ways. They play with toys and look at books that depict positive images of diversity. Those whose families have English as an additional language receive good care and benefit from the value and respect that is shown to their culture.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children who have specific needs benefit from the childminder's thorough and detailed understanding, and direct first hand experience of supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has undertaken extensive training in this area.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and polite. They share their toys good naturedly and benefit from the level of attention they receive from all members of the household. This ensures they remain happily engaged in their play.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the warm welcome that is extended to their parents and the daily detailed discussions that take place regarding their children's welfare and care. Occasionally children are left in the sole care of an assistant, but parental consent for this is not specific enough and does not clearly identify the times that this will take place. There are systems and documents in place to keep parents informed of regulatory procedures, but these are not always easily accessible.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally well organised home by a childminder who is sensitive and enjoys working with children. She plans and provides a range of worthwhile activities that help them to develop in all areas. She is very attuned to the individual needs of children and takes care to ensure they are comfortable. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. All regulatory documentation is in place, although some require improvement, more attention to detail, and displaying more clearly. She is aware of the importance of informing Ofsted of any changes, for example, planned forthcoming building works. She aims to ensure continuity of care for the children she minds and utilises her family as assistants. Ensuring that specific written consent is obtained for this arrangement is also an area to improve.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was required to increase knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has obtained additional guidance to help her in the event of a concern, but extending her use of documentation and record keeping systems, in order to further protect children, is an area to develop.

p.4

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

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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 parents sign specific consent for children to be cared for by a named assistant and the times that this will take place; ensure all relevant documentation for parents is clearly displayed • ensure the register of attendance is promptly completed and shows the number of children on the premises and the adults caring for them • improve record keeping of incidents and keep Ofsted informed of changes

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5