Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY359026 Unique Reference Number 10 April 2008 Inspection date Sheila Dawn Flounders 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 partner and two young children in the Attleborough area of Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house 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 under five during the day at varying times. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children or uses her car. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a pet goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have regular opportunities for physical play using the small rear garden or other local facilities, such as the swimming baths, local parks or toddler groups daily if possible. They are

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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 able to talk about what equipment they like to use best, with the slide in the park and the soft play areas being some of their favourites. Children are encouraged to learn about healthy living through this regular access to fresh air and exercise, reinforced through a healthy diet. The younger children are also able to rest and sleep according to their individual need, with the childminder finding out their routines from parents before they attend and then having ongoing discussions to ensure that she is updated daily.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are easily able to access the bathroom facilities and from a young age are encouraged to understand simple health and hygiene practices, for example, they use liquid soap and have individual towels to dry their hands. However, children do not always wash their hands before eating. There are other measures in place to prevent the risk of cross-infection, with the childminder ensuring that all parents know children should not attend when they are ill and as a result she has not administered any medication to date. Suitable documentation is available ready to use and prior parental permission would be gained. Robust cleaning routines and nappy changing procedures also help children stay healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children currently attending are well-nourished due to the meals and snacks provided, which includes at least one cooked meal per day. The menu actively encourages children to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and the children enjoy talking about what foods they like to eat. They are all well-hydrated as the childminder offers them drinks as part of their routines, with a choice given and they are confident about asking for something different when they change their mind. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with parents to establish what these are and puts measures in place to incorporate them into her practice if necessary.

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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 welcoming, secure and safe environment where to date they have had no accidents. Suitable measures are in place ready to record any that do occur, the childminder maintains a first aid qualification to provide appropriate treatment and parents would be informed. Children spend their time on the ground floor of the house, in the garden or taking part in activities outside of the premises. The childminder has a good awareness of potential hazards and has put measures in place to protect the children, for example, stair gates are fitted, low glass filmed and low kitchen cupboards are inaccessible. The children are under constant supervision, with the first floor only used by some of the younger children to sleep, and the childminder has ensured that all necessary equipment and resources are accessible to the children attending. The premises are securely maintained, but the keys kept easily within

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the childminder's reach for emergencies. The childminder regularly checks resources for damage and when items need cleaning and as a result children only use suitable and safe equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings when walking or using the car. They have regular routines, for example, holding hands to cross the road and the older children talk about how to do so safely. The childminder chooses venues for outings carefully, using places that she is familiar with. Children are also learning to protect themselves as they take part in practises of the emergency evacuation drill and use sun cream in the warmer months. They are also protected because the childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and knows what procedures to put in place if necessary having undertaken additional training. She shares information about these procedures with parents.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident in their interaction with the childminder and freely talk with her about what they are doing, sharing their ideas and demonstrate high levels of self-esteem as they develop their play. They are able to spend extended periods at activities that capture their interest, for example, a complex train layout is constructed which takes up large parts of the room and involves the use of many trains and other modes of transport. They talk about where the trains are going and bring in other resources, such as traffic lights and maps using their initiative to link this into what they are doing. They develop their knowledge and skills through encouragement from the childminder during their quality interaction, for example, discussing the animals and letters in the jigsaws or how the ramp of the garage is different to the slides in the park. She fosters their interest in numbers by asking what level the cars are parked on,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

or remembering together a game of 'What's the time Mr Wolf?' they played earlier.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to the challenge provided, for example, they are able to name various dinosaurs, or sit quietly and 'read' books for themselves, realistically covering the gist of the story through what is shown in the pictures. The childminder has some plans in place to ensure that children access a wide range of age-appropriate activities both within her home, at various groups and through outings to aid their development in all areas. She varies the resources available to the children regularly, but is also mindful of each child's particular interests and ensures that their favourites are included on the days they attend. Children have opportunities to interact with different children during the week and they all develop positive relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met well because the childminder ensures that all parents attend the setting before their children start and that she has discussions with them about such things as children's routines and interests as they fill in the necessary paperwork together. They have ongoing discussions thereafter to keep updated and the childminder informs parents daily about what activities the children have taken part in. She is aware that some children have more complex needs and would be willing to adapt to accommodate these. Children see their parents and families made welcome in the setting, they quickly learn where their belongings are kept and become involved in the setting routines developing a sense of belonging. All of the children use a variety of resources within the local community, for example, the library and local toddler groups, and they have access within the setting to range of resources which provide

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Helping children make a positive contribution

them with positive images of diversity and experience of wider society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to communicate their needs to the childminder and they are provided with frequent opportunities to make choices and decisions for themselves, for example, about what drink they want or which books to take in the car. They are able to self-select from the toy boxes in current use and the childminder has ensured that necessary equipment is in place to encourage them towards increasing independence and as a result children do not often become frustrated or exhibit unwanted behaviour. The childminder discusses the boundaries she has in place with parents before children attend and with younger children as situations arise, which ensures they are aware of what behaviour is expected. With young children distraction is all that is needed because the childminder is usually close to the children playing with them ensuring that they are fully occupied, when they are old enough she explains to them why

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Helping children make a positive contribution

something is wrong and always acts as a positive role model herself. Any behaviour incidents are discussed with parents to develop consistency with home. Parents are provided with copies

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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 of all of the childminder's policies and have access to other information in her portfolio during visits. Included in the policy documents is an acknowledgment by the childminder that parents may wish to make a complaint, although she is not familiar with how to record these or the response she makes and as a result parental concerns may be incorrectly handled.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has due regard for the well-being of the children in her care and organises her home to provide them with sufficient space in a safe, secure environment where they are able to play happily and enjoy each others company. She provides a balance of activities within the home and elsewhere whilst maintaining necessary routines, all the time ensuring that she spends as much time as possible interacting with the children. She takes into account the wishes of the parents and the individual needs of each child and encourages them all towards increasing independence.

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Organisation

She has several written policies and procedures which are made available to all parents and which work together to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievements and their positive contribution in the setting. Necessary daily documentation is in place and stored confidentially, although some has not been needed yet and the daily register is sometimes filled in with children's expected times rather than the actual hours of attendance. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 a system to record any complaints from parents and share this information with them.

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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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