Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343257 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2008 Inspection date Melanie Arnold 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and 12 years in an area of Newark. The whole ground floor is used for childminding, with a bathroom also available to children on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and she is also registered to work with an assistant. The childminder is currently minding four children under

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

eight years and she also provides care for children over the age of eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, she also takes children on outings to the park, shops and library. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a rabbit. The childminder is a member of 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 good. Children's health is effectively promoted because they are cared for in a clean home where they learn good hygiene practices through the daily routine. Effective hygiene procedures and practices are also in place, which helps to help prevent cross-infection. For example, each child has their own individual towel to use when washing and drying their hands. A clear policy regarding the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious is followed to ensure a healthy environment is maintained for the benefit of all children. Children experience a good range of vigorous activities that contribute to their good health. Visits to the local park, regular walks and physical play in the garden, such as playing on the ride-on-toys and playing ball games like badminton, swing ball and basket ball, help children to develop their physical skills and body control.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder promotes healthy eating. They benefit from a balanced diet and enjoy healthy options at snack times ensuring their well-being is maintained. Children especially enjoy helping to prepare the snack and they have fun making and eating fruit kebabs. Children's dietary requirements are fully met through the childminder liaising closely with parents. Drinks are freely accessible at all times to ensure children's thirst requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure environment, where space is used effectively to meet their needs. A designated main play area has been created for children where they freely access an extensive range of toys and resources, which helps to keep them well stimulated and occupied. Photographs of activities children have participated in, or trips they have been on, are arranged around the room enabling children to remember, recall and discuss fun, past experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is maintained as the childminder has identified the majority of potential hazards and taken effective steps to minimise them. However, to fully ensure children's safety is not compromised the childminder has yet to make sure all accessible electrical sockets are appropriately covered. Regular fire evacuation drills develop children's confidence and ensure they are aware of the procedures to follow in an emergency situation. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder is well aware of the procedure to follow should she have child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident in the childminder's care. They are well stimulated and occupied because the childminder organises fun activities for them to complete in line with their interests. Children enthusiastically join in and enjoy activities such as baking, dressing-up, play dough, sticking and painting. This results in their physical, imaginative, social and creative development being effectively promoted. Activities are arranged for children and they can freely access them or choose alternative resources to play with. For example, one child chooses to remain playing with the dressing-up clothes while all of the others participate in the planned

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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 sticking activity, making crowns and pirate hats. All toys and resources are stored at child-height, enabling children to freely select their play materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children feel a sense of belonging as their pictures and photographs are displayed on the walls in the designated play area. They also discuss what they would like to do with the childminder, who values their contributions and arranges activities in line with their requests. Children's skills and knowledge are further promoted through the childminder taking them on regular trips, where they engage in further interesting activities and play experiences. For example, on small shopping trips children are each provided with a basket and set items they need to get for certain activities like baking. This enables children to be involved in the whole process of the activity, making it a fun learning experience for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder understands their differing needs and respects them as individuals. Clear information is exchanged with parents and carers to ensure children's individual needs are continually met. The childminder understands procedures to follow if children are identified with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to ensure appropriate care is provided for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good as the childminder uses praise and encouragement to promote children's good behaviour and develop their self-esteem. Appropriate strategies are in place to deal with any unwanted behaviour, in line with the child’s age and level of understanding. Children benefit from a good standard of care because the childminder forms a good partnership with parents and carers. The parents’ portfolio gives them good information about the childminder and the service she offers. Parents learn about what their children do each day through daily exchanges of information. The childminder is proactive and she identifies her strengths and weaknesses through regularly asking parents and children for feedback on the service she provides. This enables the childminder to identity any areas requiring further development, ensuring she continually develops and improves her practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are settled and happy with the childminder and their care is greatly enhanced by the childminder's ability to organise herself and her home effectively. Their individual needs are met due to space being used effectively, with resources stored at child-height enabling children to gain easy access to them. An assistant is registered to work with the childminder, and has done so on at least one occasion. However, written permission to leave children in the sole care of the assistant has yet to be obtained to fully ensure children's welfare is not compromised.

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Organisation

All the necessary documents and records are in place and the majority of them are completed accurately. Other documentation, such as the parent information pack containing the childminder's policies and procedures, is of a good standard. Documents and records are stored securely and used effectively to provide an effective framework for the care of children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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.

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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): • ensure electric sockets accessible to children are made safe • obtain written confirmation from parents that an assistant may be left in sole charge of the 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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