Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349741 Unique Reference Number 15 November 2007 Inspection date Nikki Whinton 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 2007. She lives with her partner and one year old daughter in the Town Centre district of Swindon. The whole of the ground floor of the property is available for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five minded children under the age of eight years at any one time and is currently minding six children, of whom two attend on a full-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the provision. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise whilst walking to and from local schools. In addition, children walk to all the

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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 regularly planned programme of outings, such as story time at the local library or the Brunel soft play centre.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are gaining an awareness of healthy eating through the nutritious snacks that they enjoy whilst in the provision. Lunch boxes provided by parents are stored appropriately. Dietary issues or allergies are discussed with parents as part of the registration process. These discussions are recorded and any needs accommodated. Children are able access drinks at all times, which helps to ensure they are consuming fluids in sufficient quantities to meet their differing needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of first aid and the correct procedures to follow if accidents occur or children require medication. There is a range of measures to promote children's good health. For example, the sick child policy is given to parents at registration and written parental permission has been obtained to apply sunscreen or seek emergency treatment. However, hygienic hand washing routines are not always followed prior to children eating. As a result, their health may be put at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and rest within premises that are suitably clean and maintained. Children's labelled artwork is displayed in the kitchen, creating a welcoming environment for parents. There are suitable arrangements to enable children to have uninterrupted sleep. There is a range of measures in place to support children's safety. For example, the premises are secure, gates prevent children accessing the stairs unsupervised and potentially hazardous materials in the kitchen are securely stored. Children are starting to share some responsibility for their own safety through activities, including tidying away toys after use to reduce trip hazards and taking part in emergency evacuation drills. However, first floor bedrooms and the bathroom cupboard are accessible to children and contain potential hazards. In addition, hot drinks are consumed in the close vicinity of children and coins that may cause a choke hazard, are accessible to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to self-select from a good range of clean, well-maintained resources that are stored at children's height to encourage investigation. They benefit from the childminder's awareness of safety issues regarding the purchase and ongoing maintenance of resources. As a result, children play with age appropriate toys that are safe and suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is supported by a childminder who has a secure understanding of child protection issues, confidentiality of information and the correct procedures to follow if concerned about the welfare of a child. There are very effective arrangements to ensure parents fully understand the childminder's responsibilities, prior to a child commencing in the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children appear relaxed, confident and 'at home' within the setting. They independently make decisions for themselves concerning the resources and activities they wish to explore. For example, one child decides to experiment with paint, whilst another chooses to investigate a range of musical instruments. Children benefit from the childminder's active involvement in their play, such as when naming different types of role-play fruit and vegetables. They are starting to learn to share resources successfully and to take turns, for example, when playing with a ride on vehicle.

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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 Children have a very positive rapport with the caring childminder and are building friendships with their peers. Children take part in a good range of outings, including a visit to an Indian shop to buy Diwali decorations, the toy library to choose new toys to investigate back at the childminder's home and a weekly trip to a nearby music group. Such activities help children to gain a greater awareness of their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder knowing them very well, understanding their likes and dislikes and from appreciating their differing home circumstances. Children are treated as individuals. They are able to access a suitable range of resources, such as dressing up clothes, books, dolls and puzzles to help gain an awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, as is appropriate for their age and stage of development. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of effective, age appropriate strategies for promoting positive behaviour, including stickers, praise, encouragement and explaining in age appropriate language why certain behaviours are not acceptable. Techniques are discussed with parents as necessary, to ensure a consistency of approach between home and the provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of building an effective partnership with parents. Parents are provided with detailed written information about the childminder's policies and procedures, prior to a child commencing in the setting. Daily dairies are kept to aid communication, in addition to regular informal discussion about children's achievements or any care issues. Children's needs are effectively met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care and development is supported by an enthusiastic childminder that has completed required initial training and has a positive attitude towards developing her professional knowledge. All legally required documentation is carefully maintained and securely stored. For example, children's personal information is immediately available to support their care in an emergency. However, the record of children's attendance is not always kept up to date.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration, 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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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

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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): • undertake a risk assessment of the provision to ensure the first floor bedrooms and any potentially hazardous materials are inaccessible to children and that hot drinks do not pose a risk to children • ensure good hygiene routines are in place regarding children's hand washing prior to eating • ensure the daily register of children's attendance is kept up to date.

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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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