Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY268545 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2008 Inspection date Zahida Hatia Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives in Yate with her husband and two children aged two years and six years. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children on outings. The family has a pet dog.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently has five children on roll. She belongs to the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder helps children to become independent as they develop. She helps and supports those children who are toilet training. However, hygiene practices are compromised because not all children wash their hands after using the potty or before snack times. The childminder is observant in attending to children's physical needs. For example, she changes their clothes when soiled and seals the soiled clothes in bags ready for parents to collect.

p.2

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 A light lunch is provided which usually consists of sandwiches, yoghurt, crisps, cheese and fruit. At snack time children are offered either a biscuit or some fruit. Children independently access drinks from cups which the childminder replenishes regularly. All information about children's dietary needs is collected and she ensures that children’s diets are in line with parents' wishes. Meal times are social events, the childminder has lunch with the children at the kitchen table. They happily chat about their food and about what they had done during the morning.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder’s policy on sickness and illness prevents ill children from attending so that the health of others is not compromised. The childminder has a clear understanding of recording accident and medication procedures. Although consent forms for emergency medical advice or treatment are in place, these are not routinely signed by parents. The childminder ensures that the family's pet dog is fully vaccinated, wormed and treated to prevent fleas, which minimises the risk to children's health and well-being.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of daily outdoor play activities and have plenty of fresh air and exercise. This promotes their well-being and develops their physical skills. At present the childminder does not offer outdoor play in her garden. Instead, children are taken to the local park on daily basis. They also attend regular sessions at the local toddler group and go to play at the ‘Ball Park’ once a week which helps children to develop their physical skills by using large equipment such as slides, climbing frames and tunnels to crawl through.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and secure home. Children’s security within the home is ensured as the childminder is vigilant that all exits are securely locked when children are present. Children use a broad range of safe and suitable toys and play resources, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example, children freely select from a broad range of small world toys, bricks, puzzles and construction activities. The childminder practices regular routines to ensure that toys are clean, well maintained and checked for damage.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder gives clear guidance about keeping play areas tidy in order to prevent accidents. Children are well protected in case of fire; the home is fitted with working smoke alarms and a fire blanket; an emergency evacuation procedure is in place which is regularly practised with the children. Children are protected in case of accidents; the childminder is aware of accident reporting procedures and she has a well stocked first aid kit and a first aid qualification. Care is taken to ensure that no dangerous products are stored in low level cupboards and sharp utensils are kept out of the reach of children. However, shampoos and other chemicals are not removed or stored out of reach of children in the bathroom. This may compromise children's safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's house and they are secure and confident in their surroundings. Warm and caring relationships are apparent between the childminder and children and this contributes towards a child's sense of belonging. The childminder responds well to the children's individual needs and has formed strong relationships with them, for example,

p.3

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 when she recognises when a young child is in need of using the potty, she encourages them to use it independently.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's self-esteem is developed through the childminder's suitable use of praise and support. For example, as she praises children for eating all of their lunch. Children develop early communication skills as the childminder responds to their sounds during play. Children are able to self-select from a good range of toys and resources, increasing their independence and encouraging their decision making skills.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play happily with the childminder. For example, they enjoy the colours and sounds of toys which they explore with interest. They develop their creativity through a range of activities, such as play dough and role play with dressing up clothes. The childminder sufficiently understands children's needs and informally plans activities to ensure children enjoy a suitable range of experiences that meet their developmental needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder knows the children in her care and adapts her practice appropriately to meet their differing needs. She has an adequate understanding of how to develop children's awareness of diversity; however the children have access to a limited range of resources and activities which reflect positive images of people in the wider world. Children new to the setting benefit from a settling in period which helps them to feel safe and secure in their environment.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder applies sound strategies to manage children's behaviour, such as distraction and redirection to other activities. Clear and consistent boundaries encourage children to understand right from wrong, helping them to be responsible and play together harmoniously.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are positive. The childminder respects parents’ wishes and keeps them well informed by providing sufficient information about her service. Children settle well because she works closely with parents to gather information about their individual care needs. Parents are kept up to date with their child's progress through daily verbal feedback. This ensures that there is regular information sharing with parents, promoting continuity of care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All of the documentation required for the safe and suitable management of children is appropriately in place. An accurate and up to date register is maintained and a notice board displays the registration certificate. The policies and procedures are used appropriately and are well organised, promoting the care and welfare of young children. The childminder has completed all of the necessary background checks to ensure that all adults living at the premises are suitable to be around children.

p.4

Organisation

The space and resources are suitably organised to enable children to participate in a sound range of activities. The required adult to child ratios are met and provide suitable levels of care and support so that children are secure and confident in their surroundings. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: devise a suitable sickness policy; devise a system for recording incidents and existing injuries; make sure that Ofsted is informed of changes or significant events, by informing Ofsted of changes to household members/property/premises/health and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder now has a sickness policy, which includes information regarding the exclusion periods from the childminder's services. She has robust systems in place to record accidents and injuries which is shared with parents. The system also records parents' signatures which are dated correctly. The childminder is aware of her duty to inform Ofsted of any significant events or changes to the service she provides or to her home. Recently she has practised this as she has provided Ofsted with updated information. The childminder understands the importance of obtaining prior permission from parents for

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

emergency medical advice or treatment. However, not all parents have signed the documentation.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 consent forms for emergency medical advice and treatment are signed by all parents • ensure that personal hygiene routines are implemented with particular regard to hand washing, after toileting and before snack time • continue to develop resources and activities which promote positive images of the wider world • ensure that all chemicals and dangerous substances are inaccessible to children

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5