Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY289103 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Catherine Louise Sample 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children, aged nine and five years, in Warminster. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding for a total of seven children on various days. The childminder supports children who have learning difficulties and/ or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has recently completed a level 3 childminding qualification.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about good hygiene practice. The childminder reminds them to wash their hands after using the toilet and ensures that they wash their hands after cleaning out the rabbits. Their hygiene needs are met effectively. The childminder has a nappy changing procedure that ensures she has all necessary items close to hand. She washes her hands and cleans the changing mat after changing children. Toys and equipment are cleaned regularly and toys handled by a child that is unwell are cleaned before being used again.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have healthy food and drink. They can help themselves to drinks of additive free squash at any time since their cups are left out. They have snacks such as fruit and popcorn and a sandwich lunch with fruit. They have been learning about healthy eating through activities such as making fruit kebabs. The childminder is aware that some children may have dietary needs and liaises with parents to meet these. She has attended food hygiene training in order to protect children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected effectively from illness and infection. The childminder has a detailed medication and sickness policy which includes exclusion periods for common childhood illnesses. She does not care for children that are unwell to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise in the garden. They also walk to and from school, and visit the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning about how to stay safe. The childminder frequently reminds them about personal safety. For example, she tells a child to mind their fingers in a door because they could trap them. Children can move about the setting safely. Positive safety measures include the use of stair gates to deny children access to the stairs and utility area and ensuring that all hazardous materials are kept in locked cupboards. Children regularly practice the emergency escape drill and all toys are regularly checked to ensure that they are safe and suitable for children to use. The childminder uses a monitor to listen out for children that are sleeping but does not make frequent checks on them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety outside is ensured through effective measures. The garden is fully enclosed and the shed is locked. There are no poisonous plants and no standing water that could pose a risk to children. Children are kept safe on outings. Young children wear reins when walking and older children hold hands when walking back from school. The childminder ensures that she supervises them at all times and carries emergency contact details and a mobile phone with her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training and has a detailed child protection policy which she shares with parents. She is aware of possible indicators of abuse such as unexplained bruising in unusual places. She knows what to do if she has concerns and would discuss these with parents in the first instance.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident. They chat to adults and to one another about what they are doing. They are proud of their achievements. A child draws attention to the fact that they have successfully matched a letter and a picture. Children's self esteem is high as a result of good adult support. The childminder plays on the floor with children and offers them plenty of praise and encouragement. Children are developing independent skills. They tidy up the toys before taking more out and confidently move around the setting as they pretend to look for jungle animals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a stimulating range of activities. They particularly enjoy role-play as they pack their bags and put on their hats to visit an imaginary market. They take part in cooking activities and have lots of opportunities to do arts and crafts projects. They have good opportunities to choose what they want to do. There is a large range of age-appropriate toys and equipment for them to choose from. For example, the childminder has an extensive selection of books for all ages. Children are learning through play. For example, they are starting to link the initial letters of words with pictures in a matching game. They are making progress as the childminder monitors what they can do and plans activities to help them move on to the next steps.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children actively contribute to the setting. They tidy away toys before taking out more and can choose what they want to play with. They are involved in the local community. They regularly go to toddler and childminding groups and took part in the chatterbox challenge to raise money for children with language difficulties. They have positive relationships with one another. They show concern when another child is upset and offer reassurance and help.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. A child spontaneously thanks another when they hand them a puzzle piece. They are learning to share and take turns with activities. Children's behaviour is managed effectively. For example, the childminder finds something for a toddler to do to distract them from spoiling a game that older children are playing. She explains clearly why children's behaviour is inappropriate and uses star charts to reward good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about wider society. They use a varied range of resources that promote diversity including small world figures, books and puzzles. They go to toddler groups and a childminding group where they meet children from different backgrounds. However, they do not have regular opportunities to take part in planned activities to help them learn about other cultures. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are cared for appropriately. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children's specific needs are met well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective working relationship between the parents and the childminder. Parents have given very positive feedback about the childminding service. The childminder keeps them well informed through written diaries, photographs and scrapbooks of the children's work. All parents receive a copy of the policy document and contracts and record of information sheets are used to set out the terms of the arrangement and collect relevant information.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment. They have two dedicated playrooms and also use the sitting room so have plenty of play space. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The environment is welcoming and child-friendly with music playing and displays of children's work. Resources are also well organised. They are kept in low baskets and drawers to ensure that children can access them easily.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's extensive training. She is a member of an accredited network and has completed her level 3 qualification in childminding. She has attended a variety of training and workshops, such as child protection, which have developed her knowledge and skills.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is enhanced through the keeping of all necessary records, policies and procedures. She ensures that the register is completed accurately and that accidents and medication are recorded fully. She gives all parents a copy of her policy document. This includes policies for lost and uncollected children and arrangements for emergency back up.

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Organisation

Overall the provider 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 was required to ensure that children practise the emergency drill and to remove the barbeque hazard from the garden.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder ensures that the children practise the drill every three months so that they are familiar with what to do in an emergency situation. The barbeque is now kept in the shed which is locked. These measures enhance children's safety.

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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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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):

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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 • further develop activities to help children learn about other cultures • ensure that sleeping children are regularly checked

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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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