Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355263 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2008 Inspection date Elenora Griffin 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 her husband and two children aged eight and three-years-old in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The whole of the childminder's house, with the exception of the main bedroom upstairs, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children before and after school and during the school holidays. The childminder walks children to and from local schools and attends local toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment. They are beginning to learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine as they wash their hands after messy

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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 play activities and before lunch. Children are generally well cared for if they are sick or have an accident. The sick child policy that is shared with parents ensures that children are protected from cross infection. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, records accidents and makes a note of having verbally informed parents about accidents. However, parents do not sign accident records and this has the potential to impact on children's well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily opportunities to be active outside in the fresh air. Weather permitting children are able to move freely between the house and garden where they have access to slides and a large trampoline. Children also enjoy regular outings to parks and have fun riding bikes outside the childminder's home. Children receive a balanced and nutritious diet through the regular snacks and meals that they receive throughout the day. Children enjoy eating fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, mango and grapes. They make decisions about what they want in their lunch time sandwiches as they choose from fillings such as cheese, ham and tuna. Meal times are social occasions when children enjoy each other company as they sit together to eat.

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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 safe and secure environment. This is because the childminder has taken appropriate steps to minimise potential hazards to children. For example, all electrical sockets are covered and low-level glass is covered with safety film. Consequently, children enjoy being able to move safely across the many rooms that are available for them to use. Children are able to independently access the toys and resources that are readily accessible in various rooms. Different areas of the childminder's home provide children with areas where they can spread out with activities, rest and relax and enjoy participating in messy play activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They know that they need to take turns on the trampoline so that there is only one person on it at any one time. Children handle scissors with care and the childminder regularly discusses road safety when on outings with children. Children develop a good understanding of what to do in an emergency because the childminder has a detailed emergency evacuation procedure in place that she has practised with all of the children in her care. Children are safeguarded from harm and neglect through the childminder's child protection policy, sound understanding of child protection issues and readily accessible Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children reap the benefits of having ample time, space and resources which, provide effective support for children as they make their own decisions about what they want to do and develop and extend their play ideas. Children become increasingly confident as they settle with the childminder and are very well supported by her as they develop their creative ideas. Children play imaginatively in tents and have great fun building their own dens. They role play being teachers and students and through this play they make their chosen learning activities enjoyable and fun experiences. For example, during role play they complete worksheets, spelling tests and draw portraits of their friends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have daily access to a good range of art and craft resources. Using these children create pictures with hammer beads, paint pictures with brushes and sponges, and create with scissors, glue and glitter. Children are proud of their creations and enthusiastically show these

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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 to the childminder who encourages them with praise and positive feedback. Children develop close and positive relationships with the childminder who acts effectively as a facilitator for their play. The childminder ensures that children are able to access resources that support their play ideas and provides sensitive support only when needed. Children delight in each others company and have great fun playing cooperatively together often giggling and laughing out loud as they play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individuality and self-esteem are well supported by the childminder who encourages children to make their own choices and to develop their play ideas in an environment in which everyone receives lots of praise. The inclusion of all children and their ability to fully participate is promoted through the childminder's positive policies in regard to equal opportunities and supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children access a sufficient range of resources that support them as they begin to develop their knowledge and understanding of diversity in the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and play harmoniously together. They benefit from the childminder's calm and consistent approach towards behaviour management. Children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder agrees behaviour management policies with parents when their children first start. Parents are well informed about the care their children receive because the childminder provides them with a copy of all of her policies and procedures. Children's ongoing needs are well met because the childminder develops positive relationships with parents and relevant information is appropriately shared through daily chats.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Outcomes for children are well promoted through the comprehensive policies that the childminder has developed and shared with parents. Children's records contain relevant information so that their needs can be effectively met on a daily basis. Children benefit from the good organisation and provision of activities and resources that interest them and stimulate their creativity. The childminder is committed to continual improvement. She has accessed training courses in order to improve her practice and has begun a self-evaluation in order to identify areas that she wants to improve upon.

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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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Complaints 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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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 that records of accidents are signed by parents.

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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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