Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356034 Unique Reference Number 09 June 2008 Inspection date Mark Evans 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 three children, aged five, eight and 12 years, in a residential area of the town of Corby. Local amenities are within walking distance. Children have access to all ground floor rooms and toilet and sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for children's physical play and activities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently has three children under eight years on roll. She is able to take and collect to and from local schools and takes children on local outings, including parks and activity groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is maintained because the childminder provides a home environment that is in sound hygienic order and she encourages them to use effective hygiene practices, such as

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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 washing hands after handling pets and before eating. This helps to reduce cross-contamination. The childminder has good systems for recording the consent and administration of medicines and for monitoring any accidents, which helps to secure children's welfare. Children's health is supported by the childminder having up to date paediatric first aid training and clear written policy for illness, ensuring that unwell children are cared for appropriately and the risk of cross-infection is minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

The approach to provision of foods is flexible, with either the parents or childminder preparing meals for the children. Discussion and agreement with parents for meals and snacks ensures that that these meet with children's dietary needs. Children have a healthy, balanced range of foods such as pasta, potatoes, protein foods and vegetables and they enjoy selecting from a bowl of fruit for their snacks, giving them good nutrition and encouraging sound dietary habits and health. The childminder ensures that she has awareness of any dietary requirements through liaison with parents so that the provision for meals and snacks maintains children's well-being. Children have access to drinks at all times to ensure that they are well hydrated and comfortable.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy using physical play apparatus and experiencing differing terrains to run and play on, for example, whilst being active at the park. They have regular outdoor play and visits to activity groups and places of natural interest such as a farm park and woodland area. This provides children with good opportunities to develop coordination and control of their bodies and to gain interest in the outdoor environment. Children benefit from the fresh air and exercise.

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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 home that is soundly maintained and organised to give comfortable space for their care and play. Displays of children's artwork and posters help to make an inviting environment for the children. The childminder reduces risks within the premises and outdoor areas in order to keep children safe. For example, she has a written emergency escape plan with recorded practices, has safety gates to control children's access within the home and uses effective levels of supervision at all times. This provides children with a suitable environment to explore and play safely. Written policies and procedures give sound support to health and safety and support practice to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to independently select from an interesting range of play resources that are suitable for their age and stages of development. The toys and books are organised to give good access and choice; they are maintained and cleaned to ensure that children have safe use of these resources. The childminder has devised a written child protection policy and has national and local guidance. She has effective knowledge of safeguarding children procedures, being aware of the types of abuse and indicators and the procedures to follow to protect children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and secure in their relationship with the childminder. They regularly seek interactions with the childminder and enjoy her company when involved in activities. Children have a warm, caring rapport with the childminder, who uses voice intonation and physical contact to support and reassure. The childminder shows interest in children's actions and responds to their communications. Children's vocabulary and language acquisition increases through the childminder questioning and listening to responses. They develop interest in books

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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 because the childminder reads to them; she uses resources such as a puppet to help relax children and draw them into dialogue.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a satisfactory range of activities for the children. However the 'Birth to three matters' framework is not used to assist observation and planning and this potentially restricts full support for children's learning. Children engage in activities that stimulate their creativity, for example, they have materials for painting and collage pictures, they enjoy using natural materials such as sand and play dough, and engage with role play items. They have some extended learning experiences and opportunities to socialise through visits with the childminder to local play and activity groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made welcome by the childminder and their individual needs are met because the childminder has good arrangements to establish care aspects and routines in liaison with the parents. Children experience effective levels in continuity of care because the childminder develops strong relationships with parents, which helps with the exchange of information. Written details and consent forms help childminder and parent to agree certain childcare arrangements, for example, for outings and use of particular medication. As a consequence, children benefit from their parents having a sound basis on which to make informed decisions about their childcare arrangements. There are written contractual agreement forms available which secure stable levels of care for the children. A written complaints procedure assists open and transparent care of children, although the lack of a complaints log that includes required

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Helping children make a positive contribution

details potentially compromises children's well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have equality of opportunity through having equal access to play resources and activities, for example, male children enjoy bathing the dolls. They develop familiarity and awareness of the wider community through access to books and toys that promote diversity such as ethnic dolls and puppets and pictorial images in puzzles and books. A written policy is shared with parents and makes clear the expectations for equality. Children become familiar with their local community when on trips and outings. They have a relaxed and secure relationship with the childminder; she supports their confidence through encouragement and reward. Their behaviour is managed positively and appropriate to their age and development. For example, the childminder may use distraction or explain the need to share, giving the children ideas of how to facilitate this, such as having one toy car each to run down the slide.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children have a well-organised environment for their care and play which allows them to explore and make choices of where to play, whether indoors or outdoors. This gives them a sense of freedom and the opportunity to engage with their interests. Good levels of adult to child ratios help to support children's social and emotional needs by having individual time and interactions with the childminder, which develops a strong sense of security. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and practice through relevant training, for example, she has completed courses on first aid and the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Documentation is in good order; it is well organised and consistently detailed which provides an effective basis for the exchange of information, such as written parental consent and for the administration of medication. This helps to secure sound care arrangements for children.

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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 Written policies support practice and the safe management of the setting. For example, policies for child protection, confidentiality and behaviour management effectively promote and safeguard the welfare of children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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): • develop use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to further support children's play and learning • ensure that the complaints summary log includes required details for any concerns, raised by parents in writing, that relate to the National Standards.

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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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