Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356378 Unique Reference Number 16 April 2008 Inspection date Justine Leong 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 has been registered since 2007. She lives with her two children aged 14 and 16 years. They live in a residential area of Alresford, Essex. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. The family have cats, a guinea pig and tropical fish as pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at a time and is currently minding one child on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder follows sound hygiene procedures, such as encouraging children to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating, helping them to stay healthy. Children are kept safe from illness and cross-infection is minimised as the childminder discusses her sickness policy with parents. There is an appropriately stocked first aid box available and the childminder has undertaken paediatric first aid training. However, written parental permissions to seek emergency medical treatment or advice have not been obtained, potentially compromising children's health.

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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 Children have opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical activity as the childminder regularly takes them to local areas of interest such as the park and beach. They are developing physical skills such as balance and coordination as they play together on large equipment including slides and climbing frames. They also participate in ball games such as football, developing team skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet as the childminder provides generally healthy foods for snacks. Drinks of fresh water or juice are constantly available to ensure children do not become dehydrated. Children's details forms contain all relevant information with reference to food and drink, helping to ensure individual dietary needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and bright location that offers all necessary facilities to promote their overall development safely. They have ample space to move around and play, under the childminder's close supervision. Security is given high priority and the childminder ensures external doors are secure and checks visitors' identification thoroughly. Fire safety precautions are in place, including smoke alarms throughout the setting and the childminder has considered an emergency evacuation procedure. Safety equipment such as socket covers on low-level plug sockets help to minimise the risk of accidents to children, although some potential hazards have not been identified, potentially compromising safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a broad range of developmentally-appropriate toys and resources and these are stored to enable safe and independent access. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe as the childminder discusses issues with them and encourages them to practise road safety when outside the setting. Children's welfare is protected and promoted as the childminder has undertaken relevant training and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when required, according to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a broad and varied range of play opportunities provided through stimulating toys and activities. The childminder draws on her knowledge and skills to create and provide resources that are interesting to children and offer challenge. Children benefit from a successful balance of free-play and planned activities. During free-play sessions, children are able to independently select what they would like to play with from the wide range of equipment provided. All equipment is safely stored to allow independent access, based on the age and developmental stage of the child. For instance, children have access to toys that encourage development of language such as small world toys, role-play equipment and books. They work well with the childminder to complete maths games and puzzles, which encourage intellectual development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Planned activities offer children the opportunity to experience messy or creative play. The childminder provides resources such as sand, paints or collage materials to encourage imagination and creativity. Activities involving musical instruments provide further opportunities for children to be creative. Children are increasingly confident and are developing good self-esteem as the childminder is consistently attentive to their needs and listens carefully to them, demonstrating

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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 that their ideas are valued. Independence is encouraged as the childminder allows children ample time to complete activities for themselves before offering assistance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed at the setting, due to the caring nature of the childminder. They are encouraged to bring items from home that are familiar to them and the childminder displays examples of their work around the setting, helping to foster a secure sense of belonging. Children chat happily with the childminder and are comfortable in her care. Information about children's needs are shared with the childminder through their personal details forms and the information is used to ensure that each child is provided with an individual approach. The childminder has a very positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has undertaken training to ensure individual needs are met. The childminder provides resources such as puzzles, books and small world toys reflecting diversity. She discusses people's similarities and differences with children, to help them develop an understanding of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about responsible behaviour as the childminder is a positive role model and has a good understanding of appropriate managing strategies depending on age and stage of development. The childminder is consistently calm and polite and uses appropriate explanations to promote children's understanding of responsible behaviour. This helps children to begin to manage their own behaviour and develop an understanding of the needs of others. Children benefit as the childminder has developed good working relationships with parents and carers. Important information is shared through daily discussions, helping to provide continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home and time to provide a nurturing environment for children and to support their care, learning and play. They benefit from familiar daily routines that help them feel confident and secure. The childminder follows sound procedures to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Accurate checks are in place to ensure children are cared for by a suitably vetted person and children are never left alone with any person not vetted.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with these and the conditions of her registration. The childminder has undertaken a range of training which underpins her practice. Documentation is in place to ensure children are cared for in line with parents' wishes and this is stored confidentially. However, the childminder has not ensured that parents are aware of the complaints procedure at the setting. 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): • obtain written parental permissions to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • ensure the bathroom window is kept secured at all times • ensure parents are aware of the complaints procedure at the setting.

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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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