Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358929 Unique Reference Number 05 June 2008 Inspection date Andrea Ewer 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 satisfactory. 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 a registered since 2007 and is registered to care for a maximum of five children up to eight years and is currently caring for four children for various hours and days. The childminder lives with her partner and two children aged 13 and two-years-old, in a house in Northampton, Northamptonshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Care is provided on the ground floor, along with the front bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. Children have access to outside play in the garden. The family has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home where overall their good health is promoted well. They start to understand the importance of cleanliness as part of everyday routines. For example children wash their hands at appropriate times, using their own colour co-ordinated

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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 flannel. The childminder maintains hygiene standards throughout the day. Children make good use of the garden for outdoor play where they push and ride wheeled toys and run around after each other. This helps children develop their physical skills as they gain control of their bodies as they negotiate space.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most records that support the childminder to maintain children's good health are kept, however some do not contain enough detail. This potentially compromises children's welfare. The childminder does, however, hold an up to date first aid qualification and the first aid kit is readily accessible in an emergency. This ensures children receive appropriate care in the event of minor accidents or illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

The sample menu shows children benefit from varied, nutritious meals and snacks that contribute to their healthy growth and development. They enjoy cereals, chicken casserole and fish pie, along with regular fresh fruit and lots of drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a tidy, well-organised home where they play happily between the living room, playroom and garden. This provides suitable and sufficient space for them to participate in a wide range of activities that meets their play and development needs. Children benefit from a suitable range of toys and activities that they access independently when using the playroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall effective measures are in place to keep children safe in the home. For example, safety gates prevent children gaining unsupervised access to the stairs, smoke alarms are fitted on both floors of the house and a fire blanket is placed appropriately in the kitchen. Children learn about road safety as they talk about staying safe during outings and start to understand they must all stay together.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally well protected from harm or neglect. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the correct procedure to follow, overall. However, significant information is not always recorded which potentially compromises children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminding environment. They benefit from warm, caring relationships with each other and the childminder, who spends her time talking to and playing with children consistently. This contributes to children developing their language, feeling secure and valued.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play purposefully with the toys and activities that meets their physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs very well. The have fun making bubbles in the garden where they watch the bubbles float away and run after them giggling. They use their imagination well during role play as they knock on the door and invite each other into the play house and enthusiastically make a 'television' and a 'remote control' out of recycled materials. The childminder plans a wide range of stimulating activities that children enjoy and identifies which skills they are expected to develop. For example, children develop their small muscles as they ice biscuits and paint outside using brushes and water. They make house collages by sticking

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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 pictures of furniture to paper and develop social confidence during visits to toddler groups where they learn to mix within larger groups. At times the organisation of activities limits children's ability to develop their skills at their own pace.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel valued in the warm and relaxed environment where they share friendly relationships with the childminder and each other. They have regular access to some resources that help them understand diversity and the childminder talks to them about people's similarities and differences. Information obtained from parents is used effectively to support the childminder to provide care and activities that meets children's individual needs. They share information about children regularly both verbally and in writing, to make sure they are both fully informed. Subsequently they are able to provide consistent care to children. Although there are no children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, the childminder demonstrated during discussion that she is able to provide care that fully includes all children and could incorporate any additional care requirements into the daily routine. She understands the importance of working

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Helping children make a positive contribution

closely with parents and outside agencies and the value of training to help each child achieve their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond very well to the clear guidelines and positive strategies used by the childminder to manage their behaviour. They are reminded to use good manners, share and take turns through calm explanation. As a result children start to understand what is expected of them and behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall children's needs are met. Space, resources and equipment are well organised and allow children to participate in a broad range of activities that meets their play and development needs well. The daily routine is flexible and takes account of children's home routines for meals, sleep, active and quiet play. For example, the childminder prepares specific activities children ask for and is flexible, allowing them to enjoy playing outdoors in the warm weather.

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Organisation

Most records, policies and procedures that promote children's welfare are in place. The record of children's attendance does not include the actual times children arrive and depart and medicine records do not always include enough detail. This potentially compromises children's welfare, care and safety.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to enhancing her knowledge and skills through training. Since registering she has attended the Introduction to Childminding Practice training, 'Birth to three matters' and prepared herself for changes in guidelines by attending a workshop on the Early Years Foundation Stage. Relevant checks have been carried out on household members which provides reassurance to parents that they are suitable to have regular contact with young children.

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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 satisfactory. 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 written consent to administer non prescription medicine and medicine records include sufficient detail • develop knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children issues including the correct procedure to follow if concerned about a child and ensure written records are made of any existing injuries or concerns about children • improve the opportunities for children to develop their skills at their own pace • develop the records of children's attendance to include the actual times children arrive and depart.

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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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