Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY292495 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2008 Inspection date Michelle Tuck 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 partner and their son who is four years old. They live in Langport, Somerset.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor, plus the spare bedroom and the first floor bathroom are accessible to minded children. The children also have access to the rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two cats and two rabbits which children can have supervised access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and there are currently six children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's minor accidents and medication needs are appropriately recorded and shared with parents. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and parental consent has been obtained

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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 to allow emergency treatment or advice to be sought, which benefits children's health. Children are protected from cross infection, as sick children are excluded from the provision and individual towels and flannels are used. Children consistently wash their hands before eating, which helps to prevent the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthily. Parents provide their child with a packed lunch and the childminder offers snacks of fruit. Children's special dietary needs are recorded at admission and well catered for. Children are actively encouraged to drink regularly and have easy access to their drinks at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to practise their physical skills both inside and outdoors. They play in the garden using a range of resources, such as the trampoline, pushchairs and tricycles, as well as small equipment, such as balls to practise their skills. Children benefit from good space indoors where they can move freely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well organised spacious environment, which enables them to participate in a range of activities. Resources are boxed and placed on the floor or on low level storage units to ensure children can self select easily. For example, cars, construction toys, puzzles and books are boxed for children to access. A wide range of equipment is also available to ensure children are fully supported, such as safety gates, highchairs, buggies and a travel cot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally safe within the home environment as the childminder completes regular risk assessments. She ensures dangerous substances are inaccessible to children and all electrical sockets are covered. However, some potential hazards, such as a razor are stored at child height in the bathroom and the security of the premises, puts children at some risk. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through daily discussions, such as how to cross the road safely and not to talk to strangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder is aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a broad range of play provision and activities to promote all areas of their learning and development. For example, large and small piece constructional sets for them to build with, manipulative toys as well as puzzles and games. They also enjoy many different craft activities to promote their creative development, they use their imaginations with small world sets, such as a train set, role play, music and explore story books. Children enjoy warm exchanges with the childminder and happily climb onto her lap for a cuddle. The childminder sits on the floor alongside the children and supports them in their play effectively. For example, she asks a child 'Shall we build a garage for your cars?' or helps to roll out the play dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy lots of opportunities to partake in creative activities and their creations are well displayed giving them a sense of belonging. The childminder gives lots of reassurance and praise. This helps children to develop their confidence and gain a sense of achievement. The childminder interacts with interest and enthusiasm to encourage and support children and promote their sense of well-being. As a result children are happy, settled and motivated.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs are met extremely well by the childminder who has excellent systems in place to promote and celebrate their individuality. For example, clear up to date records, excellent communication with parents, updating resources continuously to support children's interests and developing her skills to support them. Children learn about diversity through various activities, such as exploring different festivals and cultures, and through good quality multi-cultural play provision. As a result, children are cared for within an environment which reflects positive images of themselves and others from around the world. Children that have additional needs are welcomed and included by the childminder. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure all individual needs of the children are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are developing an excellent understanding of what is expected of them. For example, they play together kindly, share well and are gentle and loving to one another. The childminder creates a very positive environment in which children show an excellent sense of belonging and respect for others. She discusses house rules gently with older children, and she interacts closely to encourage, guide and support them and acts as a consistently good example.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed excellent partnerships with parents and as a result, children are cared for consistently and according to their wishes in all areas. To support this, parents are provided with a comprehensive information pack detailing all her policies, procedures and working practices. Parents also complete records, contracts and consent forms, all of which are updated regularly. They are kept extremely well-informed through good daily communication, detailed home books completed every day, photographs of children at play and displays of her certificates.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit from the childminder's effective organisation of time and space. For example, there is a flexible routine that is led according to the individual needs of the children.

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Organisation

There is regular sharing of information with parents through relevant policies and procedures, and communication books. Children feel confident in the well organised setting, for example they are able to access resources independently and make choices.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended various workshops and holds an up-to-date first aid certificate. Her commitment to developing her knowledge and practice is good.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and provide a range of activities and resources for children that promote equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice. The childminder has a range of resources which reflect positive images of diversity and organises activities that increase the children s knowledge of the wider world. She also agreed to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has recently completed a distance learning course

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Improvements 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 on child protection and through discussion she demonstrates a good understanding of issues and procedures.

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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): • ensure all dangerous items are inaccessible to children • ensure the children are unable to leave the house unsupervised.

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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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