Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY259977 Unique Reference Number 17 October 2007 Inspection date Coral Hales 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 satisfactory. 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 19 months and five years. 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.

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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 two children under five during the day, and two over five before and after school and in the holidays. The family has two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends local mother and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home. Their health is well maintained because effective hygiene procedures are in place. For example, they are encouraged to wash their

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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 hands at appropriate times during the day and clean their teeth after meals and begin to understand the reasons why. Younger children observe the suitable routines and begin to copy and this enables them to begin to develop their self-help skills. The childminder has suitable nappy changing procedures in place. Children receive suitable care in the event of illness or an accident as the childminder keeps her first aid qualification up-to-date. Parents are kept informed of any injuries that may occur and consent for emergency treatment/advice is maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Childrens' needs for sleep and active play are effectively met. They enjoy exercise in the fresh air, for example, they walk to and from school and visit the park on the way home. They use the well-equipped garden regularly to refine and develop their skills on the climbing equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements are met through close cooperation between the parents and the childminder. Children enjoy suitable snacks and sandwich lunches and are encouraged to eat raw vegetables and fresh fruit regularly. This promotes their healthy growth and development. Some children also attend for breakfast and they enjoy cereal and toast. Drinks are provided throughout the day for all children and younger ones are encouraged to drink regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming home where risks are generally identified and minimised. The childminder is aware of children's developing abilities and ensures that appropriate safety measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations. For example, cupboards containing hazardous items are locked and areas of the garden not suitable for the younger children are secure. The premises, including the outside area, are secure which enables them to move around safely and independently. Children are beginning to learn the importance of keeping safe by responding to guidelines set out by the childminder. For example, they begin to understand safe roadside practices and the older children understand what to do in the event of an emergency, however, evacuations have not been practised with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use an appropriate range of safe resources, furniture and equipment which supports their play and development. The childminder ensures that these are kept clean and well-maintained. They are stored well to ensure that children can safely access them freely to develop their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's appropriate knowledge of local child protection procedures and her understanding of her responsibility for the children in her care. She knows the correct procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy in the childminder's home and interaction is good. Suitable interesting and age appropriate toys and resources support and promote their learning and these interest and occupy them. For example, they play with cars, push buses and experiment with interactive musical toys. The childminder is developing her knowledge in relation to the Birth to three matters framework to extend the learning and developmental opportunities provided. Children enjoy the close contact with the childminder who involves herself in their play to extend their learning. She talks to them about what they are doing and encourages them to begin to think

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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 for themselves and start to make their own decisions about what to play with. Older children enjoy a relaxed session after a busy day at school and during the holidays. They play games, use the computer, take part in creative activities and use their imagination during role play when they act out familiar family roles. Regular outings and playing in the outdoor area broadens children's range of experiences and social development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminder's care and follow regular daily routines that include dropping off and picking up from school. They begin to develop some understanding of the local area when out in the community around them, however their knowledge of the wider world is limited as there are few resources available to promote positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a satisfactory practical awareness of how to include and approximately care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children's understanding of right and wrong is increased as they begin to learn what is expected of them and they are encouraged to play harmoniously together, for example, to share and to take turns as they play. The childminder promotes children's self-esteem through praise and encouragement for every task they undertake.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are looked after in accordance with the wishes of the parents. Effective systems are in place to establish and exchange information about the care of the children at the start of the childminding arrangement. This helps to ensure continuous and consistent care for the children. The childminder has a basic understanding of the new complaints requirements however, parents are not fully informed about the correct procedure to follow if they have a concern. Written agreements are in place and required consents are maintained. General information is verbally exchanged on a daily basis regarding the children's well-being and routine care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The premises are well organised to meet the needs of the children both indoors and outdoors. The childminder is aware of the selection of equipment needed to provide care and she ensures that she provides them with suitable opportunities to develop their play and learning. Children have opportunities to choose resources independently, as well as receiving adult support and encouragement. Their welfare, care and learning is promoted by a range of organised records and procedures and the childminder has a suitable knowledge of the documentation to be kept and these were made available for inspection. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that all records and consents relating to childminding were in place. These are now completed routinely as part of her procedures for arranging care. She was also asked to fit a fire blanket and this is now sited in the kitchen. This ensures children's safety and welfare is maintained.

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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

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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. 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 satisfactory. 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): • increase play provision which positively reflects culture, ethnicity and disability • practise emergency evacuations with the children to ensure that procedures can be followed quickly and effectively • further develop knowledge about the new complaints procedures and ensure that parents are aware of the correct systems to follow if they have any concerns.

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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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