Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355988 Unique Reference Number 04 December 2007 Inspection date Paula Durrant 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 registered in August 2007. She lives with her husband and their three children aged nine, six and four years in a property within Hertfordshire. She is registered to provide care for a total of four children under the age of eight years at any one time and is presently minding a total of three children under five years, all of whom attend a variety of sessions. 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. Children requiring undisturbed sleep have access to a bedroom on the first floor. The family has a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from infection and are well taken care of if they have an accident as the childminder rigorously adheres to environmental health guidance. For example, the premises is maintained to a high level of cleanliness, food is stored appropriately and surfaces where food preparation takes place is cleansed with antibacterial solution prior to use. Comprehensive

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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 written health and hygiene procedures support the childminder in her practice. For example, children who are unwell or display symptoms of communicable diseases are discouraged from attending in line with stipulated exclusion periods. Children wash hands in line with the daily routine. They understand the purpose of why they complete this task as discussions about bacteria and germs are frequently held. This means that the potential for cross-contamination is effectively minimised. The childminder holds a valid first aid qualification and has appropriate systems in place to document accidental injury and medication. All required prior written consents for the seeking of emergency aid or advice from parents are also in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is flexible in the provision of meals in line with parental preference. Current contractual arrangements are that parents supply all main meals with the exception of supplementary snacks. The childminder avidly stores all produce in her fridge until required. Children receive a good balanced diet as they eat at regular times throughout the day. They also benefit from healthy snacks of fresh fruit. All individual dietary needs are known and complied with. Children stay well-hydrated as drinks are offered routinely throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical activity. They have access to a secure and safe garden area which is suitably equipped with a range of challenging resources. Children also participate in regular walks in and around the local community and access other amenities such as parks and activity centres frequently. This supports development of increased control and coordination of large muscle movements. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home care routines, whilst older children take time out participating in more low key activities such as reading books to recuperate their energy levels.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder is highly vigilant, undertaking daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a diverse range of high quality resources maintained in good repair. The childminder abides to manufacturer's recommendations providing age-appropriate equipment that holds a recognised safety kite mark. Good organisational forethought such as the use of differing locations of the home when younger and older children are in attendance means that all children access a range of stimulating equipment and activities they enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe as the childminder is vigilant in her practice. She gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home. For example, children know to adhere to the 'house rules' such as not climbing on the furniture as they may fall and hurt themselves. They know to listen and obey the instructions of the childminder when out, such as keeping safety restraints fastened in the car and holding hands when walking. Children stay safe in the event of a fire, as there is a clear procedure in place which is regularly practised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is priority in this household. Children are cared for by a suitable adult who has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has completed vetting checks and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. She knows where and how to record and report concerns in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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 extremely settled in this caring and nurturing environment where the childminder completely dedicates her time and energy to the children in her care. Children remain intent in their activities due to the wide variety and range of resources provided. Older children enjoy the freedom of creativity as they link story sack figures of three different sized bears to the associated story of Goldilocks and the three bears, giving their own simplified and unique version of the story. This is cleverly managed by the childminder who not only uses the child's known interest in the love of books to extend learning but also shares this opportunity with younger children through differentiating the type of book and props used. Lovely opportunities for extending thought and for developing vocabulary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very competent in providing a range of stimulating activities which she prepares in readiness. She is intuitive to the children's needs and recognises that on occasion other interests may take precedence. The childminder is very skilled at taking her lead from the children and in implementing incidental learning. For example, children benefit in developing an awareness of numbers as they count the number of cows within the plastic farm set and as they sort the differing animals into sets of colour. The childminder has knowledge of the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' and is beginning to use this to guide her practice. For example, she already has in place assessment 'Look, Listen and Note' booklets which parallel to the framework's components. This is exceptionally progressive practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs take high priority in this home from home provision. A superb partnership with parents enables children to receive extended family care. The childminder knows the children well and uses information gained from parents to implement highly effective care plans for each child. Mutual respect, love and understanding all play an integral part of the childminder's practice. Children play an active part in their own learning. They make independent decisions in their play. They have positive levels of self-esteem and respect the opinions and actions of others because the childminder consistently praises their efforts and reaffirms their achievements, guiding their social and moral development. Children are beginning to learn about diversity as they access resources and as they participate in practical activities such as the 'Planet Food Activity Book', a British Meat Education service resource to support

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children's understanding of healthy food choices from around the world. Whilst the childminder has a system in place to record and manage parental complaints, she has not used the annex within the addendum to summarise the content of potential complaints. This is essential in ensuring confidentiality is upheld.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a conscientious practitioner who has a secure understanding of child development and the way that children learn through play. She makes full use of her life skills as a mother, her formal childcare qualification, short courses and childcare literature to implement practical age-appropriate activities that appeal and stimulate interest and a desire to learn. For example, she provides a balance of focused adult-led activities in addition to promoting free choice so that children are able to reaffirm and practice their skills. Children

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are very much part of an extended family and are comfortable in this well organised and inviting environment. They confidently make independent choices in their activities and extend their own play and learning in an imaginative way. The childminder effectively uses her written procedures and routines to promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. Whilst a vast majority of documentation is compliant with National Standards requirements, a minor oversight is the implementation of a summary annex for managing parental complaints so that confidentiality is upheld. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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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): • enhance current complaint procedures to ensure confidentiality is upheld, this refers to a summary annex.

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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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