Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY273402 Unique Reference Number 04 December 2007 Inspection date Valerie Button 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 satisfactory. 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. Registration is to care for six children under eight years old. There are currently five children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and two secondary school aged children in a cul-de-sac in the rural village of Northlew. Except for the first floor of the house, all of the property is used when minding. On the ground floor there are: two children's bedrooms; a living/dining room; a kitchen; and a family bathroom/toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden with a large covered fish pond. The family also have a pet rabbit and a fish tank. The home is within walking distance of the village school and toddler group, as well as the playing field.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. They enjoy daily excursions outside of the home, so that they benefit from fresh air and exercise. Good systems have been established to record any medication given to children and also to record any accidents. However, written

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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 parental permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment is lacking for some children. The childminder maintains a current first aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children bring their own drinks, snacks & packed lunches. These are appropriately stored and served to the children. Drinks are readily available to children throughout the day. The childminder was not aware of the need to register with the local authority as a food provider.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming home. Outside play space is available for use, though some hazards, including the garden hose pipe and plastic guttering on the ground present a risk to children in this area. Children enjoy daily walks, for example to school or around the village. They enjoy using a good range of suitable toys which are in good condition, clean and appropriate for the age range of children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is fostered by the childminder's conscientious attitude and her careful supervision of activities. Safety measures, such as a safety gate at the bottom of the stairs and some safety catches on kitchen units, support the children's safety. However, safety catches are not fitted on all low level kitchen cupboards which contain items which present a risk to children in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are satisfactorily protected. The childminder knows the children and their families very well. She has the relevant child protection guidance on file and is aware of her responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very content and clearly feel at home. They have established good relationships with the childminder and are at ease in her company. They play happily together with the childminder, for example, when sharing a book or engaging in pretend play with dolls, toy cats or construction sets. Play resources are extended through good use of the local toy library, in order to ensure that children benefit from using a wide range of play equipment and books. The daily routine is structured, but flexible, for example, to support young children's needs for sleep. A local walk, for example, to the local playing fields or to collect children from school, is planned each day. Children benefit from the interest and interaction of the childminder in supporting their play and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed. Their company is much enjoyed and they respond well to plenty of praise and the constant attention they receive from the childminder. Children benefit enormously from the caring relationships established with them and their families; for example, siblings of children previously cared for are now attending. These positive relationships result in happy and secure children who want to be with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's varying individual needs are very well known and well met, for example their preferences for favourite play activities. They are encouraged to consider the needs of others, for example, during pretend play activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children benefit from the very strong relationship between the childminder and their parents, who work in partnership to ensure that there is a consistent approach to promoting the children's welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Documentation needed to underpin the care and safety of the children is in place for most of the children attending. However, the lack of written contracts with parents and the lack of signed parental permissions, for example, to go on outings or to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, undermines the safety and well-being of some children, particularly in an emergency situation. Children benefit from the sound attention the childminder gives to ensuring that she attends some short training courses, in order to ensure she keeps abreast of current developments in childminding practice. Practical organisation of activities and the day to day running of the childcare is good. Children clearly feel at home and at ease and enjoy their play. They benefit enormously from the experienced, capable approach of the childminder. Children and childminder

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was firstly asked to develop her knowledge of child protection issues and procedures and obtain a copy of the latest guidance. The childminder has attended additional training and ensured that she has a copy of the latest guidance. Through these measures her knowledge of child protection procedures has improved, and, as a result, children's safety and well-being are enhanced.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Secondly, she was asked to improve fire safety by ensuring that the smoke detector on the ground floor is maintained in working order, and by regular practise of emergency evacuation. The smoke detector is in working order and is regularly checked. Emergency evacuation of the premises has been practised, though not on a sufficiently regular basis to ensure that children are familiar with it. However, measures taken have improved the safety of children.

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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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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 satisfactory. 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 documentation needed to underpin the care and welfare of the children is in place for all children attending • ensure that hazards present in the kitchen and the garden do not present a risk to children.

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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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