Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350156 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2008 Inspection date Saida Cummings 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 2007. She lives with one adult child in a residential area situated close to Worcester city centre. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, pre-schools and schools within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The main areas used for childminding are situated on the ground floor, with bathroom facilities available on the first floor. Children are taken on local visits and outings. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring for three children aged under eight years. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 have access to clean, well-maintained areas. They are developing an understanding of good personal hygiene which includes regular hand washing, especially after outdoor play, toileting and before meals. The risk of infection is reduced as the childminder follows the local health authority guidelines and ensures all parents and carers are made aware that children are not cared for if they have an infectious illness. There are appropriate records in place concerning accidents and administration of medications. Babies’ and young children’s needs are adequately met as the childminder is aware of their specific health needs and adjusts daily routines to accommodate these. For example, when young children start showing signs of tiredness they are given the opportunity to rest or take a nap.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are starting to develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles as they regularly walk to and from school and enjoy going on local walks, such as visiting various parks and fields. There are good daily opportunities for children to be active and gain control of their bodies through use of various indoor physical play activities. For example, children enjoy taking part in music and dance sessions using different parts of their bodies to hop, wiggle and jump. Babies and young children have opportunities for creative physical experiences as the childminder provides suitable equipment and resources for them to develop their physical skills. For example, they enjoy lying under the play-gym whilst kicking their legs and the childminder adapts the play areas to ensure there is sufficient safe floor space for rolling and crawling.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy well-organised meal times, which are also used as social times, with children of all different ages sitting to eat together. Older children use the dining table, whilst the younger children sit in high chairs. They enjoy nutritious and healthy meals, which are discussed and planned with parents and carers to ensure all children's individual dietary needs and preferences are met. Parents and carers provide packed lunches which are stored appropriately and children are encouraged to eat their savoury food first. Children have access to suitable drinks at all times which are freshly prepared and made accessible to them throughout the day. They are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, especially after exercising and during hot weather.

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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 clean, safe and family-friendly environment. Children independently choose activities from a selection of safe play equipment and resources. They are able to self-select from a wide variety of interesting toys and materials, which are stored within easy access. All equipment and toys are sturdy and clean and the childminder ensures these are regularly cleaned and checked for safety as part of the daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to move around safely and freely within the home. The areas used by children are made safe by ensuring age-appropriate safety items are in place. Children are constantly supervised and taught safety as part of everyday activities. This includes road safety and to hold hands when out walking, car safety when being transported and how to safely use the stairs when visiting the toilet. However, the childminder has not devised and practised an emergency evacuation procedure to ensure children’s safety and well-being is not compromised.

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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 Children are kept safe from harm as the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She has completed appropriate training, made herself familiar with the latest Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and is aware of the appropriate procedures to follow should she have any concerns. Young children are kept safe whilst sleeping and the childminder is able to regularly monitor them during this time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled within the environment. They are very comfortable with the childminder and have built a trusting relationship. The childminder consistently and positively interacts with the children to encourage their involvement and learning, such as counting different objects and recognising colours when using different resources. For example, they count differently coloured play dough, then count the number of pots this is stored in and then name and match the colours to the pot lids. Children’s language development is encouraged through relaxed conversations and reading stories.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to select play activities easily and are encouraged to make choices throughout the day. They are able to access craft activities and writing materials freely and enjoy creating brightly coloured pictures using different writing materials and paints. Children enjoy taking part in imaginary play, such as when making different models from play dough. They enthusiastically model their play dough into different ‘monster’ figures, add plastic eyes and hats to make their characters come to life. They then use the figures to act out different scenarios where each ‘monster’ uses the shelving under the table for their ‘home’, inviting each other to their ‘homes’ and chatting to each other. The childminder uses everyday routines and changes in the weather to encourage children’s learning further. An example of this is when it starts hailing, she encourages the children to look through the patio doors to see the hail.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children describe the hail as snow and the childminder explains the differences between snow and hail. They enjoy watching the hail bouncing off the fence and path in the garden, using descriptive language to describe what they can see.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies’ and young children’s needs are well catered for as the childminder plans specific activities for this age group and ensures they are included in all the activities. These are adapted accordingly to ensure they are sufficiently challenging and meet the individual abilities. Young children are provided with various stimulating toys and equipment which are used to develop their awareness of different materials and textures. School-aged children are given opportunities to make free choices about the types of activities they would like to take part in. The childminder takes time to find out what interests each child, and builds on this information to provide a variety of activities and opportunities to ensure their preferences are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder initially holds full discussions with parents and carers to ensure she is able to meet all requirements. Further discussions are held on a daily basis. Parents and carers are kept fully informed of the childminder’s routines and how their children spend their day. This includes the activities they enjoy taking part in, any issues and the domestic routines. Parents and carers are made aware of the complaints procedure and the provider is aware of the requirement to investigate any complaints and to keep appropriate records of these.

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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 Children are given lots of individual attention and thoroughly enjoy good interaction with the childminder, which enables their individual needs to be met. All children are treated equally and have equal access to resources and activities. The childminder ensures children are encouraged to make use of all the play equipment and activities available. Children are valued and respected, and the childminder is committed to ensuring all children feel secure and are included. However, they are not able to develop their knowledge and understanding of diversity as there are very few resources and activities to promote their awareness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder understands special needs and ensures children are given time, resources and assistance to meet any individual specific needs. She demonstrates an awareness of being able to meet the needs for any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children respond well to the childminder's approach to any behavioural issues. Their positive behaviour is encouraged and praised. An example of this is when the childminder encourages children to tidy away the toys before lunch and gives lots of praise once this is completed. Consistency is practised between the home and the setting as the childminder shares and agrees the behaviour management policy with all the parents and carers. She is aware of how to deal with any incidents and works with the parents and carers to resolve any issues.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in friendly and homely surroundings and the childminder ensures she plans the childminding sessions to meet their individual needs and preferences. For example, she ensures individual children’s favourite toys are made available when they first arrive. Children are comfortable in the well-resourced and organised environment which is made accessible and welcoming to them. The childminder has completed the required training and is committed to further training and keeping herself updated about childcare practice. Children benefit from the childminder’s development as any new procedures or good practice is incorporated into the care provided.

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Organisation

Children enjoy good interaction with the childminder as she organises her time during sessions to be able to adapt to their particular needs and routines. The childminder constantly talks and plays with each individual child and encourages interaction between all ages. As a result, children play well together and are developing good socialising skills. Children are being extended and challenged in a safe and stimulating environment that develops their emotional, intellectual, physical and social skills. There are opportunities for children to be valued, cuddled, comforted and their individual needs and personalities are recognised and provided for.

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Organisation

Children's individual needs are very well met as the childminder has effective verbal and written systems in place which also keep parents and carers well-informed about what their children do, all the procedures and how the childminding is organised. The childminder has developed a good system for recording and keeping appropriate records as required. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 and carers, 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): • devise an emergency evacuation procedure and ensure this is regularly practised • extend the range of resources and activities to promote children's awareness of diversity.

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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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