Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350765 Unique Reference Number 21 April 2008 Inspection date Alexandra Brouder 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?

This childminder registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged seven years, five years and 18 months, in a house on a residential estate on the outskirts of a town in south western Leicestershire. Minded children use the ground floor of the house for play, with access to the first floor as needed. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children aged 12 months and eight months on a part-time basis. The childminder lives near local schools and shops and takes children to local stay and play groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well maintained because they are cared for in a warm, clean environment where routine hygiene practices prevent infection. For example, young children use hand wipes to clean their hands before meals and snacks, whereas children that access the bathroom use liquid soap and individual hand towels to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Meticulous

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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 arrangements for changing babies ensure there is no risk of cross-infection as disposable changing mats are used and soiled nappies are disposed of hygienically in sealed bags. Good systems are in place to ensure that children access a clean environment and the childminder ensures that a range of household cleaning agents are used daily, to actively prevent the risk of cross-infection. Sound documentation is in place to support children’s health needs, for example, a sick children policy informs parents that children should not attend when they are ill and medication and accident records are maintained appropriately to support children’s welfare and well-being. Although consent has been obtained from parents of minded children for the childminder to use emergency treatment, this refers to the application of plasters or

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Helping children to be healthy

bandages and not to the seeking of emergency medical advice should a serious incident occur. This may delay prompt action being taken, should an incident occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s physical skills are beginning to develop well as they practise their growing mobility skills in the ground floor areas of the home, using furniture and well-placed toys to aid them. A range of outdoor toys encourage children to develop coordination, for example, a large and small trampoline, sit and ride toys and sand/water play. All children use their small muscle skills well as they handle beakers, construction toys, books and puzzles. In addition to this, the childminder takes children to local parks and play areas as well as stay and play sessions to enhance their skills in a variety of environments. Children’s emotional needs are met well as the childminder recognises when children require a sleep and provides appropriate areas for this to take place, in accordance with the wishes of the parents and carers.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks and meals which are provided by their parents and prepared appropriately by the childminder. In addition to this, snacks, such as fruit and toast, are offered by the childminder to supplement their diet. Drinks are made available to children throughout the day to ensure that they remain hydrated, and are replenished as required. All meals and snacks are eaten at the table or highchair to promote a social occasion and to develop good manners.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the well organised, warm and welcoming environment. They play in secure premises both indoors and outdoors as exterior doors remain locked and the garden is fully enclosed. Children play freely in well-organised areas to support their play and learning and access resources easily, enabling them to initiate their own play and make independent choices. Good quality equipment is offered to children and maintained to support their welfare and well-being. Toys and resources on offer to them support their individual needs well and their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Areas that children access are safe and secure. This is supported through a range of equipment, for example, smoke detectors, stair gates and locks on low-level cupboards. In addition to this, consents are sought from parents to enable the childminder to take the children on outings and in the car. A written plan explains the procedure to be followed in the event of an emergency. However, this is not practised with children, impacting on their safety and understanding of how to leave the premises in an emergency. Appropriate safety equipment is used when children are eating, such as reins, boosters and high chairs, to ensure that children remain safe at all times.

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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 The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues, including the referral process and the importance of recording any concerns that she may have regarding a child’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and have developed good relationships with the childminder. They enjoy their time at the setting as they actively engage in a range of exciting, well-planned and presented activities to develop their curiosity, creativity and imagination. Children benefit from the childminder's provision of quality play opportunities to develop a range of physical and creative skills. For example, children were observed to happily play with a range of age and stage appropriate resources throughout the inspection, including cause and effect toys, a play tent, soft toys, musical equipment and role play items.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a sound awareness of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and changing legislation and is beginning to use this when planning the activities that she offers to children, ensuring that all are able to make progress suited to their individual stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s early language skills are well supported by the childminder who listens to what children say and responds appropriately, introducing them to new language as they play. She supports their developing language as she responds to their attempts at communication and through conversation, questions and individual attention. Therefore children are effectively developing their vocabulary and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well at the setting, which is positively encouraged through the use of good role modelling from the childminder. In addition to this, children are praised and encouraged as they play. For example, a child that was playing with a pop-up toy was praised as they were successful in ‘popping’ it up, promoting their confidence and self-esteem. Appropriate behaviour management strategies are shared with parents before children begin to ensure that they work as a team and offer consistency to all. Children are encouraged to share and take turns as they play and the childminder ensures that children are taken to a variety of stay and play sessions to increase their skills in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and carers to ensure that the needs of their children are met. A range of information is obtained from parents before children begin with the minder which is recorded and used to help the childminder meet their individual requirements. For example, their likes and dislikes as well as what they like to play with. This increases children’s sense of belonging and enables them to settle quickly and easily. The childminder recognises the need to liaise with parents to establish the care requirements for any child with identified learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain an awareness of other cultures, lifestyles and disabilities as they access a range of resources. For example, books, dolls and play characters that reflect a range of ethnicities and disabilities are included in everyday play. In addition to this, the childminder makes use of local facilities, for example, the toy library, to increase the opportunities that provide a positive image to children. An inclusive environment is offered to children in which they are all

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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 encouraged to access the range of toys and resources which are adapted as needed to support all ages and abilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and secure and have a very good relationship with the childminder. Good organisation of the environment and resources ensures that children are able to choose freely from the range available to them. A range of documentation is in place to support children's health, safety and well-being. However, consent for emergency medical advice or treatment is not clear and the emergency evacuation plan has not been practised, which may impact on children’s welfare.

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Organisation

Children receive good levels of adult support due to their attendance patterns which helps them gain confidence as they access the well-organised environment. The childminder has completed required training, for example, the Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP) and a first aid course to help her support the needs of children in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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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 that consent for emergency medical advice or treatment is in place and clearly links to action to be taken should an incident occur • ensure that the emergency evacuation procedure is practised with all children.

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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 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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