Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY287502 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2007 Inspection date Sally Wride 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, who is also a registered childminder and four children aged 1, 4, 11 and 14-years-old in a house in Shipston-on-Stour. There are shops, schools and parks within easy walking distance. The entrance hall, kitchen, a ground floor toilet room and three upstairs bedrooms and bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog and two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding four children, two of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 benefit from a warm and homely environment where hygiene is given a high priority and their personal care needs are met very well. Daily routines and attention to the cleanliness of equipment ensures that children are protected from infection. They are starting to learn the importance of good personal hygiene when wiping their hands before eating. Good quality documentation is maintained regarding the administration of medication and recording of accidents. A well-stocked first aid box is available to ensure children's well-being is safeguarded in the event of an accident. Effective procedures are in place for if children fall ill whilst in attendance in the childminder's care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities that help them to develop control of their bodies, for example they climb on the climbing frame and enjoy playing on ride-on toys in the back garden. They develop their throwing, catching and kicking skills as they use balls in the back garden and aim to score a goal in the football net or basketball hoop. They enjoy regular walks to explore the local community and often visit local shops and the nearby sensory garden to explore the smell and feel of flowers and plants. Children have the opportunity to further develop their physical skills on a range of age-appropriate equipment during regular visits to local parks, playgrounds and soft play facilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a variety of healthy meals and snacks and are given plenty to drink throughout the day. They sit together around the kitchen table to enjoy their food as they talk about their day at school, holidays, families and achievements. Younger children are well-supported as they begin to feed themselves and are openly praised for their efforts. Children enjoy regular cooking activities and make, for example, sweet biscuits and cakes to enjoy tasting and sharing with their families at home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because the indoor environment is safe, secure and child friendly. The childminder is proactive in identifying and minimising potential hazards and completes visual risk assessments throughout the day, which allows the children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children are interested and challenged by the resources that are available to them. They spend time exploring their playthings and concentrate on their chosen activity. There is a wide range of toys that are in good condition and are suitable for children of all ages and stages of development. Younger children are well-protected because the childminder is alert to equipment with small parts and closely supervises their use. Toys and resources are stored so that children can make choices, reach them easily and safely and develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are supported as they develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They practise fire evacuation procedures throughout the year which ensures that they become familiar with the actions that they should take in the event of an emergency. They use the 'stop, look and listen' technique when crossing the road which supports their understanding of road safety. Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded due to the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the known signs and symptoms of child abuse and her awareness of the Local

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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 Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures. She has undertaken a child protection training course and has developed her own child protection policy. This is shared with parents to ensure that they are informed of the action that will be taken in the event of a concern about a child in her care. Effective procedures are in place for the safe arrival and collection of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a balanced and varied range of activities and games that support, develop and extend all areas of their learning and development. They are eager to participate in planned activities and are also confident to develop their own games, knowing that they are well-supported by the childminder. They enjoy arts and crafts, cooking activities, using musical instruments and imaginative role play. Children's mathematical thinking is developed through everyday activities. The children enjoy counting and number rhymes, weighing and measuring when cooking and are introduced to concepts of size as they compare the heights of their building block towers. Children benefit from regular opportunities to explore through their senses, they paint with their fingers, explore corn flour play and make regular use of play dough, cutters and tools.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children are well-supported by the childminder, who has a clear understanding of their needs. She ensures that activities are adapted to meet individual development stages which enables all children to participate at their own level. The childminder has a clear understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this as a reference guide to her working practice with children. She is attentive to children's individual needs and tailors the daily routine to ensure that their needs are well-met. Children enjoy snuggling up with the childminder for a cuddle and to listen to a story. They benefit from the childminder's involvement and interaction in their play, for example, as they work together to complete a jigsaw puzzle. Older children quickly settle when they arrive from school and often complete their homework and reading with the childminder, as well as joining in with free play and games with their peers. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

have the opportunity to socialise with wider groups of children each week when they meet with other local childminder's and the children in their care. They enjoy regular visits to the local aquatic centre to see fish, spiders and reptiles. They are taken on occasional visits to local farm parks, countryside centres, to the seaside and to the zoo.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected and valued as individuals, their needs are well-met and their individual likes and dislikes are well-catered for. The children have the opportunity to learn about the needs of others and are encouraged to acknowledge differences in an open and honest environment, supported by resources that promote positive images of diversity. Children participate in art and craft activities that help them to develop an appreciation of festivals and events, such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter. Although the childminder is not currently caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she is aware of the support that is available to her from external agencies and health professionals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to play independently and also in partnership. They demonstrate good relationships with each other and the childminder. Children understand the routine and behave well. They are valued and respected by the childminder, who acts as a positive role model for them. She understands the children and manages their behaviour well. Children's parents and

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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 the childminder have formed good working relationships. Daily exchanges of information ensure that parents are kept well-informed about their child's progress and the activities that they have enjoyed whilst in the childminder's care. Parents views are sought and respected and care is provided in accordance with their wishes. Although parents are provided with a written procedure of the action that they should take in the event of a complaint, the information provided is brief and not in line with current guidance.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children feel at home and relaxed in the exceptionally well-organised and stimulating environment, resulting in them being confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder works closely with another registered childminder. The required ratios are maintained, and children often receive one-to-one adult support which promotes their care and welfare and ensures their needs are effectively met. The childminder is proactive in accessing a wide range of training courses that further extend her knowledge of child development, activities that she can offer to the children and those which support her childminding business.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place, carefully stored, well-organised and effectively maintained. They are regularly reviewed and are only accessed by the childminder, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained. The childminder has developed a range of carefully considered policies and procedures that she shares with the parents of the children in her care. This ensures that they are fully informed of how the care of their children is organised. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make improvements to documentation. Since then, she has ensured that the daily record of attendance is accurate and up to date and details times of children's arrival and departure. Written agreements with parents which detail the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements are fully completed. Written parental consent has been secured for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment and also for transporting children in a vehicle. Children's safety is promoted because appropriate insurance is in place for all vehicles used to transport children. The childminder agreed to ensure that hazardous substances are inaccessible to the children. Since then cupboards locks have been fitted to all kitchen units ensuring that children do not have access to hazardous substances. The childminder agreed to ensure that

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Improvements since the last inspection

premises are secure with regard to gates and that children are unable to leave them unsupervised. Since then additional bolts have been fitted to external gates, ensuring that children are unable to leave the garden unsupervised. The childminder agreed to provide an adequately stocked first aid box and to complete a first aid training course. Children's health, safety and well-being are now promoted as a fully stocked first aid box is in place and is easily accessible. The childminder has accessed a first aid training course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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 information provided to parents in the written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

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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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