Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY283639 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2008 Inspection date Anne Legge 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 11 years and adult, in Ashburton in Devon. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children aged under eight years of age and is currently minding eight children aged under five years, all of whom attend part-time. She is a member of the local childminding network. The family have three dogs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are very well protected from infection. They play in a spotless and very tidy home, where all surfaces are cleaned daily. The childminder is particularly careful to ensure that her three dogs pose no risk to children's health. They are treated regularly for infestation and their beds and bowls are located away from areas where children play. Carpets are cleaned every morning, to remove traces of fur and the dogs are kept away when children are eating. Children

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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 learn good hygiene routines, washing their hands appropriately and using liquid soap and paper towels, to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Nappy changing procedures are hygienic and the childminder implements good routines for cleaning children's hands when on outings. Their care is good when they are unwell or injured. The childminder has a current first aid qualification and comprehensive systems for recording and sharing information about accidents and medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from eating healthy snacks and meals. The childminder provides nutritious snacks, including plenty of fresh and dried fruit. Parents supply well balanced meals, containing healthy items such as sandwiches, fruit and yogurts. Special dietary needs are known and fully met. Children have constant access to drinks, in their individual bottles, provided by the childminder, so they maintain good fluid levels. Children develop active lifestyles, enjoying daily outings. They walk on the moors with the dogs or to local shops and amenities. They also play in the garden, using wheeled toys, a slide, a see-saw and sand or water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a secure environment, as the entrance is protected by a locked gate, allowing no-one to leave or enter unnoticed. They have plenty of space to move around safely in the lounge and play room. Children choose from a wide variety of toys and resources, which are in very good condition and stored at low levels, so that they can select safely and independently. There are effective systems for checking play materials regularly for safety and cleanliness. Children are safe on outings, as the childminder uses car seats, buggies and restraints, as appropriate, and children know her clear routines for walking safely near traffic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and she risk assesses all areas used by children. She uses fire guards, socket covers, gates and a baby monitor, to reduce risks. Children are safe in emergencies, as fire safety equipment is in place and evacuation procedures are displayed and practised regularly. A Fire Officer has been invited to visit and has confirmed that procedures are appropriate. Children are well protected from abuse or neglect, as the childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures. She plans to further improve her knowledge, by attending relevant training in the near future.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled with the childminder and they remain purposefully engaged in their play, throughout sessions. They enjoy a wide variety of activities, which are appropriate for their ages and which effectively promote their development. Children develop their creativity, using paint, dough or collage resources. They explore materials and learn about the natural world, as they collect twigs or leaves on their walks, and use them to make pictures. Children role play making meals or being doctors, using the good range of equipment provided for them. They enjoy challenging activities, such as making a large floor puzzle, and they persevere at their tasks, with good encouragement from the childminder. Children take part in cooking activities, such as making Valentine's Day biscuits. They learn to socialise, when they attend a music group or meet with other childminders and their minded children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of children's development. She devotes her time to playing and talking with them, effectively promoting their language skills and understanding. She skilfully balances the needs of children of different ages and ensures that their individual

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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 interests are taken into account. The childminder has attended training in the Birth to three matters framework, but she has not fully implemented it. For example, she does not provide mirrors to help very young children develop a sense of self, nor photographs to promote their sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's care is consistent, as the childminder communicates daily with their parents, exchanging all relevant information. She helps children to settle, when they first attend, and uses initial visits and trial periods to aid this process. She explains her policies and procedures to parents and works flexibly, to meet the needs of the whole family. Records are shared effectively and the childminder shows parents photographs of children's activities, to keep them well informed and enable them to be involved in their child's care. There are no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities on roll, but the childminder has attended relevant training and is confident that she could meet any additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well, as they respond to the childminder's clear rules and expectations. For example, they know they must not climb on furniture and that they should stay at the table until meals are finished. They enjoy warm relationships with the childminder and receive plenty of praise and encouragement. All families are welcomed and included, as differences, such as other languages, are celebrated. Children broaden their understanding, as they use good resources, including puzzles, which reflect positive images of other cultures and disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a competent and experienced childminder, who is committed to constantly updating her knowledge, by attending appropriate training courses. She is very well organised and she maintains all the required documentation, to securely underpin children's care. Records are shared appropriately and registers, contracts and consents are detailed and comprehensive. Children enjoy the facilities of a very clean, safe and child-friendly home. Space and resources are used very effectively, to provide a good variety of play opportunities for children, using a designated play room and the ample space in the lounge. 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 agreed to develop her knowledge of safeguarding issues and procedures, and to ensure that her first aid box is fully stocked. She has tried hard to attend training in safeguarding matters, but courses have been cancelled. She has now arranged a course for local providers, in April 2008. The childminder has also researched current procedures and now has a good understanding of appropriate ways to protect children from harm. The first aid box is now comprehensive and available for use, whenever required.

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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

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 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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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): • further develop resources and activities for very young children, using the Birth to three matters framework.

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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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