Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY278100 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Sarah Jane Wignall 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and one child aged 12 in a large town in Cornwall. Designated rooms on the ground floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children, on different days throughout the week. The childminder walks and drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and the local park.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Restormel Childminding Group.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit as the childminder places a high emphasis on health and hygiene. She ensures children wash their hands regularly throughout the day and provides individual towels and hand wash to limit cross infection. Children are enthusiastic as they wash their hands before snack time. Some children enjoy learning about oral health as they brush their teeth after meals. The childminder keeps parents well informed if children have an accident and she has a written sick children's policy in place. She holds a current first aid certificate and has easy access to a well stocked first aid kit.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from access to varied and healthy range of midday snacks and meals. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating and ensures meals and snacks include good amounts of fresh and dried fruit and vegetables. Sample menus are included in the parents' information folder so that they are well informed about the types of foods provided. Children have easy access to drinks with their meals and at other times throughout the day. Information about special diets is recorded.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the opportunity to play outdoors when the weather is fine and particularly enjoy riding bikes playing traffic lights. They have access to a large garden with both hard and soft surfaces and to a range of equipment which includes slides, small trampoline and a range of ride on toys. Regular visits to the local parks and beaches provide children with fresh air and exercise and the opportunity to use a wider range of equipment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from access to good amounts of well organised play space. The childminder undertakes visual risk assessments each day to ensure the environment is safe before children arrive. She puts in place suitable equipment such as socket covers to protect children from potential hazards. She ensures the environment is secure and all external doors are locked once children are present. Children are protected from the dangers of fire as clearly defined evacuation procedures are in place and displayed on the notice board. Children learn about fire safety as they practise occasional fire drills. Children are well supervised by the childminder as they play. The childminder has not obtained specific written consents for all children to travel in a vehicle.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to an excellent range of toys and resources which are well organised into suitable storage boxes and units. The childminder checks resources on a regular basis to ensure their ongoing safety and suitability and any broken items are removed. When babies are present she ensures they do not have access to small or hazardous items. Children are gently reminded about safety issues, such as sitting nicely at the table and not snatching toys away from others in case someone gets hurt.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She has a written policy in place, which is shared with parents, and she has attended training in this area to keep her knowledge up to date. She is aware of agencies to contact if concerned about a child in her care.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. She provides a warm, comfortable and stimulating environment where children are able to play and learn together. The home is well organised with two designated play areas where children have access to an excellent range of age appropriate resources. Sessions are planned in advance using medium and weekly planning sheets. Monthly themes such as 'fruits, sports day and the beach' are planned and different activities, such as collecting and painting pebbles or writing in wet sand, are planned to support children's creative development and their pre-writing skills. The childminder ensures that equal attention is given to the six areas of learning.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show delight and enthusiasm as they ride their bikes outside while playing traffic lights. They learn about stop and go and the colours red and green. The childminder offers highly effective support to children as they play and she develops their recognition of different colours as they select beads when creating a picture. She develops concentration skills as she encourages children to complete an activity such as drawing around a stencil of a flower on fabric. Children have access to a wide range of books and the childminder encourages language development as they attend a community group each week where the emphasis is on singing.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's knowledge and understanding of their own community is greatly enhanced through well established links with several community groups. The childminder has excellent links with groups that operate locally where children have the opportunity to join in and play with others and access a very wide range of activities such as singing, access to musical instruments and a wide range of creative projects. Children learn about different fruits and vegetables as the childminder is provided with a weekly vegetable box under a local healthy eating initiative. Children observe changes as pumpkin seeds are baked and dried. Children learn about the natural world as they visit local beaches, woods and handle unusual animals such as land snails and land crabs. Children learn about other cultures through books, stories and access to role play. They enjoy the opportunity to learn about local festivals such as St Pirans day and also

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

traditional Indian festivals and celebrations. The childminder ensures she is fully aware of children's individual needs and works closely with parents in planning to meet those needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. She provides an extremely well organised, stimulating and interesting environment for them where they enjoy playing and learning together. Simple house rules are well displayed on the notice board and remind children that they should say 'please' and 'thank you' and always be nice to each other. Children develop positive self-esteem and confidence as the childminder encourages their independence. She asks older children to collect the coats so that they can go outside to play. Children respond well to this and proudly carry back the coats for younger children. The childminder uses lots of verbal praise to reinforce and reward appropriate behaviour.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care is enhanced by the professional relationship the childminder has with parents. Parents have access to a comprehensive and very well organised folder containing relevant information such as training certificates and copies of policies and procedures. The childminder ensures that information is exchanged each day with parents, and younger children each have a daily diary where relevant information is recorded such as feeds, nappy changes and sleeps. With older children information is exchanged verbally at the beginning and end of the day

p.4

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 ensuring that all parties are fully informed. The childminder is keen to seek parents' views about her care and there is a written procedure in place informing them how to make a compliment or complaint.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder has a good understanding of health and safety and ensures the play environment is well organised so that children are able to play safely and hazards are minimised. She is keen and committed to developing her practice and is an active member of the Restormel Childminding Group. She has attended several training courses and increased her knowledge in areas such as child protection, health and safety and healthy eating, among others. She provides a stimulating, interesting environment for children which supports their learning and development.

p.5

Organisation

Very well organised and comprehensive documentation is in place. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure all persons over the age of 16 years that are regularly present in the household complete the appropriate vetting procedures. Children are well protected as regular visitors to the home have completed the appropriate vetting procedures.

p.5

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 good. 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): • obtain written permission for all children to be transported in a vehicle.

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 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.6