Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY352585 Unique Reference Number 06 May 2008 Inspection date Jan Burnet 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 in Kenilworth with her husband and three year old child. The whole of the ground floor is registered for childminding. Children have access to the bottom area of the back garden. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for two children aged under five years. She is able to walk to a local school to take and collect children and attends a parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a Batchelor of Education Degree in Early Years and is an experienced teacher. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is protected because the childminder makes sure that standards of hygiene are good, with thorough routines and preventative measures in place to ensure minimal

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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 risk to children. Children are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing and are well protected because the childminder provides liquid soap. Parents are aware that their child should not attend if he or she has a contagious illness or sickness and diarrhoea and that they will be contacted if the child becomes ill. Children's best interests are served in case of accidents because the childminder holds an in-date first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder makes sure that children learn about healthy eating and that the food they eat is balanced and nutritious. Children are at no risk from unsafe food because food hygiene procedures are good. The childminder effectively puts in to practice the knowledge gained on recent food safety training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s emotional well-being is given a very high priority and begins with a good settling-in procedure. Children are happy and secure in the childminder's care. They are developing an awareness of the link between their own growth needs and that of other living things, for example, they plant and grow flowers from bulbs. Children are developing physical skills and confidence with regular use of large equipment at the park and small equipment at home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play, eat and sleep in safe and healthy premises. The main play area is a spacious lounge and off this room is a small room used for sleeping children and for storage of some resources. Children have easy access to the outdoor play area and the ground floor toilet. Toys and equipment are safe, clean and are kept in a good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know that when walking on the pavement they must hold on to the buggy and that they must stop, look and listen before crossing the road. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision at all times. Children’s risk of injury inside the home is minimised because the childminder has identified and thoroughly addressed potential hazards. For example, the back garden is on different levels and only the lower level is accessible to children, safety film is fitted to glass patio doors, a stair gate is fitted and hazardous substances are inaccessible in the kitchen. The fire drill is practised periodically and, on the childminder's request, a fire safety officer has visited and has confirmed the childminder's good practice which includes checking smoke alarms weekly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe from unwanted visitors and cannot leave unsupervised because security is good. Their welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good working knowledge of abuse and neglect and is aware of her responsibilities with regard to local referral procedures. She has drawn up a child protection policy for parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy and learn from the excellent range of activities provided by the childminder. She uses her extensive knowledge and teaching skills effectively to assess and address the different developmental needs of children so that they are challenged effectively to reach the next steps in their learning. Children's independence is given a high priority and they confidently choose what to play with and are able to self-select resources. The childminder constantly encourages children to think and increase their vocabulary as she asks open-ended questions to extend their learning. Routines include regular activities outside the home. These include

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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 local nature walks and attendance at parent and toddler groups where children develop social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from having direct access to an outdoor patio off the indoor play space and the childminder ensures that, weather permitting, activities are available equally in both areas. Registered space is not large enough for children to develop skills with large physical play equipment, so the childminder makes sure that regular trips to the park are included each week. Young children learn shapes and colours, count and practise manipulative skills on a daily basis. They enjoy daily opportunities to be creative and imaginative. The childminder effectively uses her observations and assessment of children's learning to challenge them towards the next steps.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are fully known by the childminder. They benefit from good communication between the childminder and parents that ensures consistency of care. Information for parents is contained in a portfolio and a wide range of policies and procedures have been drawn up. Admission forms are thorough and information is shared daily through discussion and children's diaries. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to assessing and improving her service as she provides a thorough written complaints procedure for parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A policy on equal opportunities identifies the childminder's commitment to treating each child as an individual and that her aim is to help children learn about a variety of cultures and develop positive attitudes to people different from themselves. She has made plans for children to learn about their similarities and differences, but currently opportunities for young children to develop an awareness of diversity are not fully developed because resources that reflect positive images are limited. The childminder has not yet been asked to care for a child with a learning difficulty and/or a disability in her own home but has past experience whilst teaching. All children are encouraged to feel good about themselves and all enjoy activities that enable them to reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem is given a high priority. Behaviour management strategies depend upon the age and stage of development of each child and the childminder makes sure that good behaviour is valued and encouraged. Boundaries are made clear and the childminder is a good role model. Confrontation is avoided and the childminder makes sure that, 'minor matters remain minor' as she gives children the opportunity to work out their own disagreements by not intervening too soon. Behaviour strategies include discussion, distraction and withdrawing a child from a situation if necessary. Children are expected to be kind, share and take turns.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's implementation of a range of policies and procedures including ones on child protection, equal opportunities, behaviour management and complaints. Documentation is well organised and required records are kept in good order and up to date. An information leaflet and a portfolio have been developed for parents. These include information on qualification and training, police clearance, insurance, activities and the daily diary system. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to improving her skills and knowledge. Since registration she has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage, first aid and food safety. Child protection training is booked for May 2008.

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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 Daily routines are consistent and activities are varied. Children's independence is developing well, activities are organised to meet different needs and, thorough admission information and verbal communication with parents, ensures that each child is known as an individual.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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): • extend children's awareness of diversity, for example, by developing resources that reflect positive images.

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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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