Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY101899 Unique Reference Number 17 January 2008 Inspection date Linda Janet Chauveau 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 2002. She lives with her husband and school aged daughter in the village of St Columb Road, near to Indian Queens, in Cornwall. They have one dog. All areas of the childminder’s house are 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 six children at any one time during the day and for one child for overnight stays. She is currently minding 12 children, on different days throughout the week on a part time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library, the local park and to childminder drop in sessions. She is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association and the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and warm home, which is kept to suitable standards of hygiene by the childminder. Children are learning to be independent in personal care, using tissues to blow their noses and visiting the downstairs toilet unaided. However, when drying their hands, the use of shared hand towels puts children at risk of cross infection. The childminder has current first aid training and access to a first aid kit, however, some of the contents of the kit are past their 'use by' date. She has good systems in place to record details of any accidents to children or medicine administered to them, this helps to support children's good health. The childminder keeps the pet food bowls and bedding away from minded children. The dog has use of a separate designated area of the childminder's garden. These steps help to minimise health risks to minded children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met effectively; the childminder provides children with healthy snacks, such as fruit and breadsticks and monitors the contents of their lunch boxes to ensure they are nutritious. Children confidently take drinks throughout the day to quench their thirst. Individual dietary needs are met by the childminder using information provided by parents on registration. Children have opportunities to learn about keeping healthy through regular exercise. There is a spacious garden with access to a range of challenging play equipment, such as a trampoline, swings and a slide, helping children develop spatial awareness and climbing skills. Children take regular walks in the fresh air, to play in the local park and as part of school drop off and collection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a spacious family home. The childminder is diligent in making sure that children are safe and secure whilst in her care. Children are kept safe from possible hazards by the correct positioning of safety equipment, for example, fireguards, stair gates and socket covers. Children are secure and cannot leave the house unsupervised. Children learn to keep themselves safe through discussions about road safety and by learning how to use furniture safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can safely select for themselves from the extensive range of age-appropriate toys and resources available. These are presented in toy boxes and at tabletop activities. The childminder provides younger children with carefully selected toys that are safe, suitable and present no harm. They play safely on a carpet with good support and supervision from the childminder. Older children enjoy playing with electronic educational toys, board games and construction toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she obtains parental consents to take children on outings in her car and to seek emergency medical treatment and advice, and has health and safety polices in place. The childminder knows what to do if she has to deal with child protection concerns; she has all the relevant publications and has a simple written procedure in place to share with parents. The childminder gives high priority to children's well-being at all times.

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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 very happy and content with the childminder. They benefit from carefully planned and presented activities provided by the childminder to engage and sustain their interest. The childminder has a sound understanding of children's learning and is aware of the Birth to three matters framework guidance. She uses knowledge gained from her level three training in Children's Care, Learning and Development to provide a stimulating environment for children, which enables them to develop and learn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a flexible daily timetable to ensure children have opportunities to develop in all areas of learning. She makes observational records on each child and plans individual activities to help extend their learning. For example, children learn to recognise their own names by finding their name card on arrival and enjoy using a variety of crayons and pencils to develop mark-making skills. They develop problem-solving skills by completing wooden puzzles and numbers are introduced during everyday counting activities. A wide range of role-play and small world toys helps develop children's imaginations and creativity is encouraged through planned craft activities such as painting, collage and playing with dough. Children learn about their local environment through visits to local parks and by discussing what they can see whilst on car journeys. They socialise and mix with other children at pre-schools, nurseries and at

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is patient and perceptive of children's needs and as a result, children flourish. She provides good levels of interaction with children. For instance, she spends time at floor level with younger children discussing the set up and layout of road and train tracks, suggesting ways to change the track and redirecting play when they become bored. Older children, looked after out of school hours, have the freedom to develop their own play, relax or choose from a variety of age-appropriate games and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are supported effectively by the childminder. She is unruffled and patient and has a sound awareness of children's individual needs and, as a result, children are able to settle comfortably and feel at ease with her. Children respond well to her warm and caring manner and the praise and positive attitude shown by her helps develop children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to learn about their local community as they visit childminding groups, the village shop and park. Older children visit the local environmental education resource 'The Eden Project' to help develop their understanding of the wider natural world. Children have access to a good range of resources to help them learn about people whose lifestyles are different from their own, such as small world figures, role-play clothes and food, puppets and access to selected television programmes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

At present, the childminder is not caring for any children with additional needs, however, she regularly provides respite care for children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties in their own home and is therefore confident in her ability to offer this level of care and she knows whom to contact for advice and support should this be needed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's knowledge of children, and the information she obtains about them, helps her to respect parent's views and provide good individual care. Relationships with parents are

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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 relaxed and informal. They are kept fully informed about their children through regular conversations with the childminder. New parents receive sufficient information about the childminder's practice. Contracts are completed and signed by parents. They provide all the consents and information needed to enable the childminder to meet children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a dedicated and organised childminder, who is committed to providing quality care. The childminder has completed all mandatory training and has recently attended a variety of courses to up date her skills and knowledge, including a level three professional childcare qualification. The childminder organises her home effectively to meet children's needs. The childminder uses appropriate levels of supervision to keep children safe and secure within her home. Children experience a stimulating variety of play and learning opportunities and regularly spend time in the fresh air as well as in the childminder's home.

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Organisation

Daily attendance records are completed appropriately. Comprehensive paperwork is available to support the childminder's practice. This is well organised to promote the care and welfare of children. Required paperwork is shared appropriately with parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to provide and practise an emergency escape plan. Children's safety is now improved as the childminder has detailed written emergency evacuation procedures in place for both day and overnight care. She ensures that children are aware of these procedures and know what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • promote children's hygiene practice by providing individual hand drying facilities

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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 • ensure that the contents of the first aid kits are 'in 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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