Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY311749 Unique Reference Number 01 February 2008 Inspection date Kathryn Margaret Clayton 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 2005. She lives with her partner and son aged 11 years in a residential area in Scunthorpe. The registered premises are situated within walking distance of local schools, pre-school facilities and public transport services. She is registered to care for six children and currently one child attends on a full-time basis. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit because they remain active when in the childminder's care. Babies enjoy a daily walk in the fresh air and older children have access to a wide range of toys in the large garden. These include footballs, cricket and badminton equipment and a swing ball. Babies' emotional needs are met as they are cuddled when being bottle fed. The childminder is sensitive to the wishes of the parents and works closely with them, with regard to weaning, for example. Children learn about healthy eating as snacks such as fruit are available to children. Children

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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 are cared for in a clean home where suitable hygiene routines are maintained. For example, when changing babies' nappies the childminder bags and disposes of the dirty nappy appropriately and washes her own hands afterwards.

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Helping children to be healthy

Older children are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting and playing outdoors and before eating. Children's health is protected because the childminder does not care for sick or infectious children. The childminder is fully aware of how to correctly administer and record any medication that may be given, however, she does not ask for written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a spacious, well maintained home where risks have been minimised. For example, there is a smoke alarm located on each level of the home which is regularly checked and a fire blanket is readily available. Children remain safe in the spacious garden because a large pond and greenhouse are inaccessible behind padlocked trellising. The childminder makes sure she has written permission to transport children in a vehicle and when out walking ensures children remain safe. Children start to learn about road safety as the childminder teaches them to walk near to her and hold on to the side of the pram.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy playing with a suitable range of toys and equipment that are checked for safety and regularly cleaned. Babies enjoy sleeping in a very comfortable well maintained pushchair where they settle easily. Children are safeguarded because the childminder is aware of her responsibilities with regard to child protection and the agencies to contact should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Babies are very happy, content and settled in the childminder's care. Their individual needs are met because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure she is a fully aware of babies' changing routines. They enjoy experiences that are appropriate to their age. For example the opportunity to role on a comfortable blanket in a warm lounge. They are stimulated with a suitable range of toys and the childminder interacts appropriately by talking, singing and playing clapping games with young babies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Toddlers and older children enjoy an interesting time with the childminder. They experience some messy play activities when visiting a toddler group. Older children have the opportunity to choose what they would like to do, for example, to relax and watch television after-school, play with constructed equipment, or visit the local park. Children's development and learning is appropriately encouraged by the childminder through activities such as sharing stories, completing matching games, colouring, counting and imaginative play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a positive and friendly atmosphere where they are warmly welcomed as part of the family. Children's individual details are recorded at enrolment and they are all treated with equal concern. Children learn about acceptable behaviour as the childminder uses positive strategies with regard to behaviour management. For example, children are praised

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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 when they walk holding onto the pram and when they share toys. The childminder uses discussion and explanation to help them to understand about how to behave appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and children benefit because the childminder slowly integrates children into her care whenever possible. Parents and children can visit several times so that they get to know each other. Parents are kept well-informed through discussions at the end of the day. However, the childminder has no written agreement with parents setting out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements. The childminder has no system in place to record, investigate and report on complaints made that relate to the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a spacious, well organised environment where they have access to a large hallway, dining kitchen, lounge and large garden. The space very effectively meets children's need to eat, rest and play. The childminder organises her time well and provides very close supervision that is appropriate to the age of the child. For example, very young children are closely and constantly supervised. Most of the required details of the minded children are readily available, however, not all records were available for inspection and the childminder does not keep a daily record of children's attendance. This is a breach of regulations. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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. 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): • obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment in the future

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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 there is a written agreement with parents which sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements • devise a system to record, investigate and report on complaints made by parents that relate to the National Standards • keep a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance and ensure records are readily available for inspection.

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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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