Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356978 Unique Reference Number 02 June 2008 Inspection date Louise Brawn 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 two, six and eight years in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and currently has three children on roll. She walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. The family has no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm clean environment where they are starting to learn about simple good health and hygiene practices through their daily routines. For example, hand washing is encouraged before and after eating and after using the toilet. Children's healthy growth is supported by the childminder providing nutritional snacks such as fruit. The childminder ensures children remain hydrated throughout the day by regularly offering them drinks and children have access to their own drinking cups whilst playing. Information about

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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 allergies and individual dietary requirements are discussed with parents and recorded on information sheets and the childminder abides by parents' wishes. All children are able to rest or sleep according to their individual routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected by the childminder having a good understanding of the importance of maintaining appropriate records and she has effective systems in place in the event of any accident or medication requirements. The childminder has completed a first aid course and has a first aid kit available to enable her to treat any minor injuries. This ensures that any accidents are dealt with effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in some physical activities outside of the home which contributes to their good health. For example, they have immediate access to a safe enclosed garden where they have many physical play opportunities such as a slide, swings, ride-on toys and a trampoline. However, physical exercise is not always encouraged as children are transported in the car to local groups.

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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 safe and secure environment, where they can move around freely and independently under the childminder's close supervision. Children's safety within the home is promoted and the risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has taken effective steps to reduce possible risks, for example, by using safety gates to exclude children from the kitchen area where hazardous substances are kept. Safety gates are also used at the top and bottom of the stairs preventing any falls. Fire safety precautions such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place and the childminder has carefully considered escape routes in the case of an emergency. Children learn to keep themselves safe on outings as the childminder acts as a positive role model and reminds them of road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of toys and play materials suitable for their ages and stages of development, for example, books, arts and crafts, dressing up clothes, dolls and mega bloks. Play equipment is easily accessible which encourages children's independence and helps them to make their own decisions about what they want to do. Furniture and equipment is safe and meets individual needs. The garden is fully enclosed and kept secure ensuring that children play in a safe environment at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection signs and symptoms and she is aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care and enjoy their time with her. They independently select their own toys and initiate their own activities. They have formed effective relationships with the childminder and approach her with confidence and ease. The childminder gets down to their level and joins in with their play, whilst also supporting their early language and communication skills, for example, she encourages the children to repeat words back to her. Children have opportunities to develop their social skills by playing alongside other children inside the home and when taken to the local park and play group. These activities promote children's learning and stimulates their interest in the wider community.

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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 Children develop their confidence as the childminder knows them well and praises their achievements. They happily take part in a variety of activities which ensures all areas of child development are promoted and met such as reading, arts and crafts, jigsaw puzzles and outdoor play. The childminder has a clear awareness of the needs and abilities of the individual children in her care and she offers them her one to one time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a good sense of belonging because the childminder knows them and their families well which ensures they are valued and included. Children have built good relationships with the childminder who responds sensitively to them and respects their individual personalities. All children have equal access to toys and equipment that meet their individual needs so they can become confident and independent. The childminder has some resources reflecting different cultures, however, none which reflect disabilities. The childminder is aware of the information she would need to obtain to ensure appropriate care could be provided for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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 awareness of effective behaviour management strategies that are appropriate for the ages and stages of development. She is calm and sensitive towards children and uses positive reinforcement to promote good behaviour and develop a child's self-esteem. Regular communication with parents enables any behavioural changes to be shared and ensures a consistent approach is maintained.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's welfare and development is promoted because the childminder builds positive relationships with their parents. Through daily discussions and written policies the childminder keeps parents informed about her procedures and matters concerning their child. This helps to support consistent care. The childminder ensures she obtains relevant information from parents to allow her to provide appropriate care and cater for children's individual needs. The childminder has a complaints policy in place which outlines procedures to follow if a parent has a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises the home to provide a stimulating and child-friendly environment in which children can take part in a range of activities to support their care, learning and play. Space and resources are effectively organised to provide children with a balance of interesting activities both inside and outside of the home. Children's needs are met by a well balanced adult to child ratio and children benefit from the individual care and attention given.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is positively promoted by the documented information kept, this is well organised to ensure children's details are kept updated. A register is maintained showing children's hours of attendance and all the required documentation was available at the time of inspection.

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Organisation

The childminder has a clear understanding of the National Standards which ensures children are well protected in her care. Appropriate checks have been carried out to ensure children are cared for by a suitable vetted person and children are never left with any person not vetted.

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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 The childminder has attended relevant training required when registering as a childminder to ensure that she has adequate knowledge for her role.

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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 resources reflecting positive images of culture and disability • promote further children's health by giving them more opportunities to participate in physical activities outside of the home (this refers to walking to local groups).

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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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