Jones Debra Dawn

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY101187 Inspection date 16 January 2006 Inspector Diana Pidgeon

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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 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 good. 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children in a suburb of Nottingham, close to main routes into the city centre. The home is close to a range of facilities and within walking distance of the local school. Minded children have the use of the ground floor of the home, which includes a lounge and conservatory. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She has two children on roll, both of whom attend part-time. She is a member of the

p.2

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 National Childminding Association and helps to run a local parent and toddler group.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted effectively because the childminder follows good hygiene procedures, which ensures any risk of cross infection is minimised. The home is maintained in a very clean condition ensuring children's health is safeguarded while they play and relax. Clear policies and agreements with parents are in place to guide the childminder's practice when children are sick or injured. Written records are shared as appropriate with parents, promoting continuity of care for the children. Good systems are in place to ensure children's nutritional needs are met. Mealtime arrangements are flexible to allow parents' wishes to be accommodated. Where food is provided by parents this is stored and served appropriately. Mealtimes are relaxed and young children enjoy feeding themselves with finger foods. Additional snacks of fresh fruit are provided by the childminder, which encourages children to try new

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

tastes and eat healthily. Drinks are readily available throughout the day and the childminder ensures children are not thirsty. Children benefit from regular opportunities to be active. Older children walk to and from school as part of the daily routine. They make use of the good range of outdoor play opportunities in the garden to extend their physical skills. Younger children have plenty of room to move around the home as they play. They regularly visit a soft play area, where children can climb, run and jump safely. This helps to promote their physical development and shows them that exercise is fun.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given high priority. The risk of accidental injury is minimised through vigilant supervision and the use of appropriate risk assessment to identify any potential hazards. For example, the childminder ensures that doors and cupboards are suitably secured to prevent children accessing unsuitable items. Careful organisation of the areas used by the children means that the childminder retains good visibility as children move around. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder teaches a toddler how to climb safely up and down the small step between the kitchen and conservatory, thereby reducing the risk of a fall. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the child protection procedures. This ensures children's welfare is safeguarded. There is a wide range of safe and suitable toys and resources available to meet all the children's needs. Some are easily accessible to allow children to choose and

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

initiate play. The childminder ensures that when young children are present they can only access items that are suitable for their age. Games and activities with small

p.3

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 parts are kept out of their reach. Children's individual care needs are met as there is a good range of equipment available, such as a highchair, travel cot, buggy and car seat. These are used to allow children to eat and rest comfortably.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and at ease in the childminder's home. They enjoy warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and show confidence as they move about the home. Routines are planned around school runs and children's patterns of attendance. Good use is made of community facilities to extend the opportunities provided. For example, younger children benefit from attending a toddler group where they can socialise in a larger group and experience a wider variety of play. Outings to the local library, park and soft play centre ensure children have a varied week. In the home children choose what to play with from the toys and activities provided. Young children use a suitable range of stimulating toys that encourage them to explore and investigate. Their learning is enhanced because the childminder takes spontaneous opportunities to extend their understanding, for example, by naming

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

objects in a book or helping with a jigsaw puzzle. Children enjoy themselves and remain happily engaged throughout the day. However, the childminder has not yet begun to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to guide her practice with younger children and therefore their developmental progress is not maximised.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder knows each child well and has a warm and trusting relationship with them. This builds each child's confidence and self-esteem. Good systems are in place to ensure children's individual routines are followed, for example with respect to younger children's feeding and rest times. Appropriate sharing of important information with parents ensures that there is continuity of care. Good use is made of the local community to raise children's awareness of the wider society. Their understanding of others is raised through the use of appropriate stories and resources within their play. Children behave well in response to the childminder's calm and positive handling of their behaviour. They are eager to please and are praised frequently, which raises their self-esteem. Appropriate boundaries are in place for older children so that they

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

learn to respect the environment and each other.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a high level of individual attention as the childminder organises

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 her time and routines to good effect. This creates a supportive environment where children's well-being is promoted. Their welfare is safeguarded as she takes appropriate steps to ensure they are protected from unvetted adults. Children benefit from her contact with other local childminders and her commitment to keeping up to date with new ideas. However, the childminder has not renewed her first aid certificate and this is now out of date. All the required records and documentation are in place and available for inspection. These are up to date and generally suitably organised. Relevant information about the service the childminder provides is shared with parents and this helps to build the successful partnership with them. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder improved some aspects of her documentation. She has implemented effective systems to record children's details and to gain parental consent for emergency treatment or advice. In completing these recommendations the childminder has ensured that appropriate information is held on each child and that their parents wishes are clearly recorded, enabling them to be acted upon in an emergency. She has also devised a written sick child policy that is shared with parents and clarifies when it is inappropriate for children to attend. This safeguards children's health and helps to protect them from the risk of cross-infection.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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 good. 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):

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 • ensure a current first aid certificate is maintained • extend the planned activities for younger children in line with the aspects and approach described in the publication 'Birth to three matters'.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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.6