Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281225 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Hazel McLean 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her four children, all of school age, in Kidlington, a village north-east of Oxford. Their home is within walking distance of shops, schools, pre-school and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the whole of the downstairs of the house and three bedrooms and bathroom upstairs. There is also a fully enclosed rear garden where children can play. The childminder provides care for children with learning difficulties and /or disability and children with English as an additional language. There are currently four children on roll, attending full and part-time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have an aquarium with a fish, two hamsters, two rabbits and a dog.

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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's good health is promoted as the childminder shows a secure understanding of individual needs. She knows how to address any concerns regarding children's health and has agreed with parents what do in an emergency. Children's learning is reinforced as the childminder talks to children about the spread of germs and infection. Children are helped to understand the importance of washing hands after messy play and before eating, receiving praise and encouragement as they practise good hygiene. The home environment is clean and child-friendly, with suitable arrangements in place to ensure the care of animals does not impact on the wellbeing of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted as the childminder supports her practice with appropriate paperwork and procedures. For instance, she maintains confidential records of children's accidents, keeps medication records updated and has procedures for excluding children when they are ill. The first aid box is complete and contains appropriate materials. The childminder is knowledgeable in first aid practice and emergency treatment for children's specific needs, however, her first aid certificate expired in October 2007 and although she has taken steps to arrange a course in the near future, this undermines her current knowledge and potentially impacts on the health and wellbeing of the range of children in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive appropriate food; the childminder is aware of children's dietary needs and supports parents in the provision of packed lunches for children attending full time. She discusses healthy options with parents, encouraging only small portions of popular foods with high fat content and providing healthy alternatives such as fruit and salads, as needed. Children have ready access to water and participate in food preparation activities which helps to increase their enjoyment and familiarity with nutritious and sometimes unusual food, for instance, preparing cubed avocados 'to try'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is encouraged through a wide range of opportunities to move, run, walk and jump. Gardening facilities, trampoline and wheeled toys are available in the garden and all children participate in the daily 'school runs'. Children are often taken for walks in the village centre, or to parks and through the local countryside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are provided with inviting and spacious play areas with easily accessible, safe and well maintained toys and equipment. They play in areas of the home which are secure and free from hazard. They have easy access to the garden which provides a safe environment for outdoor play. Sleeping children are kept safe and comfortable in well maintained, hazard-free bedrooms. Safety devices and smoke alarms are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is given high priority as the childminder carries out daily risk assessments of the home removing anything which poses a hazard and organising routines to accommodate children's welfare and wellbeing. For instance, meals are not cooked while children are on the premises and all hazardous cleaning materials and poisonous substances are stored away from the house in a locked garage. Sharp knives and a household cleaning spray are stored well out of children's reach. The childminder has devised and practised the quickest and safest means

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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 of escape to exit the house. Children are kept safe in the proximity of animals. The family dog is well cared for, kept in a secure cage in the kitchen and not allowed out while children are present. Children's safety on outings is prioritised as the childminder risk assesses and plans the journey beforehand and considers the needs of the range of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates clear, up to date knowledge of child protection; she is aware of the types of abuse and alert to any signs which may indicate a concern. She has a written child protection procedure which she shares with parents, is aware of confidentiality issues, knows the steps to take and the correct agencies to contact to address concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are addressed well in the warm inviting atmosphere of the childminder's home. She uses very positive methods, responding to children's needs with warmth and sincerity using soothing mannerisms to aid children's confidence. She is sensitive to children's individuality, their customs and habits. She involves herself in play at child level and gently encourages young children to communicate through speech and body language. She maintains eye contact as children respond by joining in conversation and naming objects. As the childminder listens to children, she responds with 'like' phrases and echoes children's words accurately to reinforce language development. Children show recognition and pleasure, reflecting their sense of achievement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are supported through activities which promote their all-round developmental and learning needs; for instance, very young children acquire social skills as they play give and take games and care for dolls; their understanding of maths and language is encouraged by sorting objects in shape, size and order and while handling objects such as cooking utensils. Further vocabulary is extended when they are encouraged to place dolls 'in' the pram or 'on', the floor.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder displays a keen enthusiasm to help children develop emotionally and intellectually through play, building self-confidence and making choices through fun activities. Children are provided with attractive and readily accessible resources which are rotated according to need. For instance, toddler resources at floor level include a selection of story books in an open basket, while colourful table top activities are available for older children, along with other materials, in accessible storage. Children are valued and respected as examples of their drawings and paintings are creatively organised in an eye catching display. Star-chart reward systems are placed at eye level to motivate interest, enhance self-esteem, and encourage kind and helpful attitudes amongst children. Children's imagination and creativity is supported well through role play, dressing up, music and cultural celebrations, and depicted through

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

photographs carefully mounted by the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to toys and activities which support their needs and individuality. Their participation is valued as they join in and learn to respect each other. They have good opportunities to learn about difference and diversity. For instance, by celebrating birthdays and different cultural festivals throughout the year such as Divali, Christmas and Hanukah, they are increasing their awareness and understanding of each other's customs and religions. Children are supported in their first and additional languages as the childminder familiarises herself with children's vocabulary and introduces new words. The childminder is building

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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 portfolios of photographic records to depict all areas of children's play and development. Children's language and self-esteem is positively enhanced when the children identify themselves in the photographs of these activities and events.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach to disability and inclusion and commits herself to responding to the needs of all children she is caring for. She builds upon her previous experience and works closely with parents, familiarising herself with the needs of individual children. She demonstrates an ability to respond adeptly when children are identified with special health needs and reflects a clear understanding of the preparation needed to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's good behaviour is fostered in the calm atmosphere; small children listen to the childminder and respond appropriately. Praise and encouragement is given as children display sociable actions such as turn taking and helping each other. The childminder approaches challenging behaviour as it arises using a range of strategies appropriate to the ages of the children. She extends ideas generated at home or school to reinforce positive messages and maintain consistent expectations of the children. This includes using diversion, star reward system charts, praise and discussion according to the age and understanding of the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs are promoted well through good partnership with parents; care arrangements are discussed and supported by detailed agreements with parents setting out mutual expectations regarding daily routines, meals and contact information. The childminder informs parents on a daily basis of anything which she thinks they may need to know about their children's development and progress. Appropriate consents are in place which ensure parents' wishes are acknowledged regarding trips, medication and emergency treatment. The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements with regard to complaints; she provides a transparent system and shares relevant details with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is proactive in developing her knowledge and practice and has completed childminder practice and food hygiene courses. Although her current first aid certificate has expired, she has made arrangements to attend training in February 2008. She is aware of the processes for vetting appropriate adults and takes appropriate measures to keep children safe and secure.

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Organisation

Children's care is promoted well through the effective organisation of the environment, the facilities available and supporting paperwork. The home is well organised and provides a child-friendly environment with areas designated for children's different needs and daily routines. Written documentation is completed for each child; activities are planned with children's needs in mind, while toys are rotated and accessibly stored. Ratios are consistently met.

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Organisation

Comprehensive documentation is available to underpin the care of children, keep parents informed and provide historic records. These are stored for two years and include medication, accident and consent details. Children's attendance is recorded in detail with actual times of arrival and departure of pre and after-school children identified on most days. The time of pre-school departure was less clearly identified on one day, and the childminder has taken steps to address this. Other records identify the regularity of children's attendance and therefore no risk is identified on this one occasion. The certificate of registration is displayed and all

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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 other regulatory paperwork is in place to ensure the care of children is appropriately documented. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection, recommendations were made that fire safety precautions be improved by making the fire blanket inaccessible in the kitchen and that dangerous substances be made inaccessible to the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken action to rectify this. She has mounted the fire blanket in an accessible position and moved all dangerous substances to the garage. A household spray cleaner and washing up liquid are kept in the kitchen above sink level and out of children's reach. This demonstrates the childminder shows regard for children's safety and has improved the outcomes for 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 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 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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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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