Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY278191 Unique Reference Number 08 October 2007 Inspection date Lynne Stephanie Bowden 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 three children, near the village of Goldsithney, in Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor is 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, two after school on different days throughout the week and one child under five on a part-time basis. The park, local school and pre-school are within walking distance. The family has a rabbit and a dog.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association and National Childminding Association.

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 are protected from risk of cross infection well. They learn and understand the importance of good hygiene practices, because when the childminder reminds them to wash their hands appropriately, she also explains the dangers of germs, such as when they handle animals or before eating. After washing their hands, they use individual towels to minimise risk of cross infection and the childminder has a clear policy to exclude children, whilst they have infectious illnesses. Children benefit from her knowledge of first aid and records show that they receive good treatment if they become ill or hurt themselves. The childminder has all necessary consents, though the written consent for emergency treatment is not clear.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy nutritious meals and snacks, which include fresh fruit and drinks of milk, water or low sugar squash. Children quench their thirsts as they need to from their own named drink bottles, which are within their reach. They benefit from regular access to fresh air as they ride their bicycles in the garden, where they also enjoy ball games and energetic play with the wide range of outdoor toys.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing in their welcoming, designated playroom, which is bright and light, decorated with their own art work and attractive posters. There, they have plenty of space and enjoy setting out their train set and making large jigsaws on the floor. A very wide range of good quality toys and resources are well stored in attractive cupboards, storage units and shelving, so children can help themselves to suitable resources and help pack resources away. This room also converts into a bedroom, for children staying overnight and is next to the minder's bedroom, so that she is close to hand during the night. The childminder has made all accessible areas of the ground floor safe, fitting safety gates to prevent children going upstairs or into the kitchen, so children play safely in the lounge. The pet dog is kept in the conservatory or her own outdoor area, so does not present a hazard to children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When transported in her car children are kept safe by the childminder using suitable car safety seats. They are protected from risk of fire by the provision of suitable fire safety equipment. The children practise the fire drill, but these drills have not been recorded and the childminder has not updated her evacuation plan to take account of increased escape routes through her new windows. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure knowledge of child protection issues and her clear child protection policy.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy participating in the variety of activities provided by the childminder, which engage their interest. They smile widely with delight and spontaneously thank her, as the childminder produces interesting materials to use in a collage. They enjoy playing a range of musical instruments, accompanying a music tape and singing along to familiar songs. The childminder encourages children to persevere with activities, joining them sitting on the floor and participating with them. She uses activities well to talk with children about colours, cultures and texture. Children concentrate carefully as they create pictures with felts, talking about

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 people’s features and clothes and playing cooperatively together. They happily choose from a wide variety of dressing up clothes and become engrossed in their imaginary roles. They enjoy listening to stories and playing with puppets and are pleased with their achievement of having completed a large jigsaw puzzle together.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident and relaxed with the childminder and her family. They learn to appreciate their own culture and the culture of others, because the childminder plans topics about their own community and the wider world. They make good use of resources that reflect the world they live in and show positive images of other cultures, lifestyles, abilities and disabilities, with attractive displays around the playroom. Consequently children learn to appreciate and respect difference and diversity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses a wide range of sources to seek appropriate information about children's conditions.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

She makes effective adaptations to resources and activities, enabling her to effectively meet the needs of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Parents are provided with a very professional and informative prospectus, explaining the childminder's service and practice. Comprehensive policies and procedures are readily available and all necessary certificates, conditions, posters and information about infectious illnesses are clearly displayed. Before admission, parents complete detailed registration forms to provide good information to enable the childminder to provide appropriate care. The childminder continues to promote children’s welfare through good systems of communication, providing parents with feedback on children's progress through conversation or daily diaries, dependant on parents’ wishes. She shares required records such as accident and medication records with parents, so all are able to provide consistent care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved. The childminder manages children’s behaviour well, she is a good role model, calm and consistent in her approach. She reminds them of what is expected and explains why they cannot do some things. At the first sign of disruption the childminder quickly distracts children, ensuring that they are engaged in interesting activities. Children are encouraged to share and tidy away as a result children grow in self-esteem and self discipline and understanding responsible behaviour.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised. She attends training to increase her knowledge and improve her practice. The childminder provides a friendly, welcoming and clean, child friendly environment, which she can supervise easily. Most safety measures have been taken, but the evacuation plan has not been updated and there is no record of fire drills being carried out. Children are able to make good use of the wide range of resources available and enjoy regular outdoor play. All necessary documentation is available and the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At her previous inspection the childminder agreed to complete an appropriate first aid course, make her back garden secure and obtain recent child protection guidance.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Having completed her first aid training, she is now able to provide appropriate first aid treatment to children. Children are unable to leave the garden unsupervised, now that she has made it secure and their welfare is safeguarded by the childminder having current child protection guidance.

p.5

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.

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): • update fire drill and keep records of practises

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