Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355553 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2008 Inspection date Mary Anne Henderson 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 16 and 17 years old in Staffordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family two pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for two children under eight years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene procedures as they wash their hands during routines of the day. The children's health and welfare is well maintained because the childminder has undertaken first aid training, has a complete first aid box and has obtained

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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 written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for all children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy eating. They are provided with a varied diet of meat, pasta, salad and vegetables. They also enjoy a varied range of snacks including a selection of fruit. Children learn about the importance of a healthy diet through discussion with peers and the childminder at meal times. Children's allergies and dietary requirements are recorded and acknowledged by the childminder at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They run around in the garden, play on various equipment and enjoy playing on the large equipment such as swings, slides and climbing frames when they visit the local parks with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children play with a good range of toys and resources that are accessible to them in the conservatory play area. There is also a good range of equipment to meet their physical requirements, for example, buggies, travel cot and toileting equipment to ensure children's individual requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To ensure a safe environment for the children, the childminder checks the indoor and outdoor areas before the children arrive. However at times, there are garden tools accessible to the children which may compromise their safety. The children practise the fire evacuation procedures with the childminder and they learn about the Green Cross Code while on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is well maintained because the childminder has undertaken child protection training. She has the appropriate Local Safeguarding Children Board details at hand, should there be a concern about a child in her care. There is a comprehensive child protection policy available to keep parents informed of procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities. This includes a home corner and imaginary play with dolls and play dough, reading books and using construction equipment. They also enjoy playing in the garden with their peers and the childminder. The toys and resources are kept in the conservatory play area and children are encouraged to help themselves to the toys. They can use various areas of the downstairs rooms to engage in a wide variety of chosen activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy spending time with their peers and the childminder, who spends much of her time directly with the children, encouraging them with their chosen activities. Children of all ages have their needs for play and rest met by the childminder who plans her week around the children's needs. Children enjoy outings to places of interest including local parks and the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Relationships between the childminder and the parents are good. Verbal and written exchange of information each day ensures the children's needs are met at all times. Parents have access

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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 to a parent pack which ensures they are aware of the procedures implemented by the childminder. There is a good range of written policies in place and the information pack also outlines the routines and activities undertaken by the children attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children explore a range of resources that positively reflect diversity. This includes dolls and dressing-up clothes, small world people and books. The children's individual requirements are identified and met by the childminder. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities would be well supported by the childminder because she works closely with the parents, and with their permission, would seek further support from other professionals to ensure an inclusive environment for all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved. They respond positively to the behaviour management strategies implemented by the childminder. Parents have agreed, and are aware of, the strategies used and they have access to the written behaviour management policy in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are cared for by persons who have been appropriately vetted. Required documentation is kept up to date, signed by all parties and made available for inspection. This includes attendance registers, accident and incident sheets and contractual agreements with the parents. Ratios are acknowledged by the childminder at all times. Overall children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The children enjoy a warm and caring environment where they can play with their chosen activities. The childminder has a sound understanding of how young children learn through play and she provides a varied and interesting range of activities for the children.

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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 met 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): • identify and minimise possible hazards to children in the outdoor areas.

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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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