Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362274 Unique Reference Number 15 July 2008 Inspection date Saida Cummings 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 one year and 12 years in a detached house situated on the outskirts of Worcester. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, pre-schools and schools within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. Children are also taken on local visits and outings. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently caring for three children aged under eight years. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have access to clean and well-maintained areas. Their health is very well promoted as the childminder encourages them to begin to take responsibility for meeting their own health

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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 needs and to develop their independence and self-care skills. For example, they are encouraged to tidy away their toys and play equipment and to carry out some tasks for themselves. They are developing an understanding of good personal hygiene which includes regular hand washing, especially after toileting and before eating. Older children are able to independently visit the toilet with the childminder overseeing them and gently reminding them to wash their hands. The risk of infection is reduced as the childminder follows the local health authority guidelines and ensures all parents and carers are made aware that children are not cared for if they have an infectious illness. There are appropriate procedures in place for dealing with any accidents and for administering any medication if requested.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy well organised mealtimes which are also used as social times with all the children sitting to eat together. They learn about healthy eating during these sociable times when discussions are held about the types of food they eat, what makes them grow and what keeps them healthy. Children enjoy nutritious and healthy meals and snacks which are discussed and planned with the parents and carers to ensure all their individual dietary needs and preferences are met. Their independence is fostered as they are encouraged to feed themselves. They have access to drinks at all times and are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids especially after exercising and during hot weather. Young children are regularly offered drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are starting to develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles as they participate in regular outdoor play which enables them to run, jump, pedal on bikes and develop their physical skills. Regular visits and outings are also incorporated into the planned activities which give children the experience of going on local walks, such as visiting various parks and the Countryside Centre. Children also have the opportunity to take part in regular indoor physical activities and use the large play areas for various indoor games, such as music and movement sessions. Babies’ and young children’s needs are adequately met as the childminder is aware of their specific health needs and adjusts daily routines to accommodate these. For example, when young children start showing signs of tiredness they are given the opportunity to rest or take a nap. Babies have opportunities for creative physical experiences as the childminder provides suitable

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Helping children to be healthy

equipment and resources for them to develop their physical skills. For example, they use push-along toys to encourage their walking and the childminder adapts the play areas to ensure there is sufficient safe floor space for rolling and crawling.

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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 clean, safe and family-friendly environment. The areas used by children are made safe by ensuring age-appropriate safety items are in place, such as use of safety gates and electrical socket covers. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children according to the ages of the children currently cared for. For example, she has removed the stairs that lead to the higher floor in the outdoor playhouse as she has identified this as a potential hazard for the younger children. All indoor and outdoor play equipment is sturdy and clean. The childminder includes cleaning and checking play equipment and toys as part of her daily routines. Children independently choose activities from a selection of safe play equipment and resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are constantly supervised and taught safety as part of their everyday activities. This includes how to keep themselves safe through awareness of car safety when being transported and road safety when out walking. They take part in regular emergency evacuation practises to ensure they are fully aware of the procedures. Babies and young children are protected

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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 whilst sleeping as the childminder is able to hear them at all times and regularly checks them. Children are transported safely using age-appropriate car seats and harnesses. However, the childminder does not obtain parents’ or carers’ written consents for taking children on routine outings to ensure children’s safety and well-being is not compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as there are good collection procedures in place which are shared with all the parents and carers. They are kept safe from harm as the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection. She has made herself familiar with the latest Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and is aware of the appropriate procedures to follow should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled within the environment. They are very comfortable with the childminder and have built a trusting relationship. The childminder consistently and positively interacts with the children to encourage their involvement and learning, such as encouraging young children to look at books and try to identify the different objects. Children’s language development is encouraged through relaxed conversations and reading stories. Children are encouraged to develop their hand/eye co-ordination through various activities depending on their stages of development. For example, the younger children skilfully use the shape sorters to place the different shapes in the correct positions and the older children are encouraged to use the soft balls to have a go at juggling. The childminder uses lots of encouragement and praise to help children develop their knowledge, skills and understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children independently choose activities from a selection of appropriate play equipment and resources. They are able to self-select from a wide variety of interesting and stimulating toys and resources which are stored within their easy access. They are able to access craft activities and writing materials freely and enjoy creating brightly coloured pictures using different writing materials and paints. Children enjoy taking part in imaginary play, such as when making different models from play dough. They all enjoy using the well-resourced large outdoor playhouse to act out different imaginary play scenarios and the childminder ensures she provides them with appropriate resources to help them extend their imagination. For example, she has equipped the playhouse with appropriate play equipment, such as a cooker, microwave and telephone which encourages children to ‘cook meals for each other’ whilst holding interesting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

conversations. The childminder ensures she supervises the children without inhibiting their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies’ and young children’s needs are well catered for as the childminder plans specific activities for this age group and ensures they are included in all the activities. These are adapted accordingly to ensure they are sufficiently challenging and meet the individual abilities. Young children are provided with various stimulating toys and equipment which are used to develop their awareness of different materials and textures. School-aged children are given opportunities to make free choices about the types of activities they would like to take part in. The childminder takes time to find out what interests each child, and builds on this information to provide a variety of activities and opportunities to ensure their preferences are met. The childminder constantly talks and plays with each individual child and encourages interaction between all ages. As a result, children play well together and are developing good socialising skills.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are given lots of individual attention and thoroughly enjoy good interaction with the childminder, which enables their individual needs to be met. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of being able to meet the needs for any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She would work closely with parents and carers to ensure any specific needs are met. Children are given time, resources and assistance to ensure their individual specific needs are met as required, such as taking part in fun games and reading books to develop their speech, language and listening skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are treated equally and have equal access to resources and activities. They are valued and respected and the childminder is committed to ensuring all children feel secure and are included. They have access to a suitable range of resources and activities to promote their awareness of diversity. Children respond well to the childminder's approach to any behavioural issues. Their positive behaviour is encouraged and praised. The childminder shares and agrees the behaviour management policy with all the parents and carers to ensure consistency is practised between the home and the setting. Children are made aware of what is expected of them. They are encouraged to share and take turns, such as taking turns to place the pieces into a jigsaw puzzle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are settled in on a gradual basis which is fully planned with the parents and carers to ensure enough time is allowed. This varies depending on the individual child's needs and how quickly they settle into their new environment. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder initially holds full discussions with parents and carers to ensure she is able to meet all requirements. Further discussions are held on a daily basis. Parents and carers are kept fully informed of the childminder’s routines and how their children spend their day. This includes the activities they enjoy taking part in, any issues and the domestic routines. Parents and carers are made aware of the childminding organisation, the policies and procedures which include how to make a complaint. The provider is aware of the requirement to investigate any complaints and to keep appropriate records of these.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a warm, friendly and welcoming environment as the childminder ensures she plans the childminding sessions to meet their individual needs and their preferences. They enjoy good interaction with the childminder as she organises her time during sessions to be able to adapt to their particular needs and routines. Children are comfortable in the well-resourced and organised surroundings which are made accessible and welcoming to them. They have access to all of the ground floor areas of the property including a specific playroom and use of a large accessible garden for regular outdoor play activities.

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Organisation

Children are being extended and challenged in a safe and stimulating environment that develops their emotional, intellectual, physical and social skills. There are opportunities for children to be valued, cuddled, comforted and their individual needs and personalities are recognised and provided for. The childminder has completed the required training and is committed to further training and keeping herself updated about childcare practice. Children benefit from the childminder’s development as any new procedures or good practice is incorporated into the care provided.

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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 Children's individual needs are well met as the childminder has effective verbal and written systems in place, which also keep parents and carers well informed about what their children do, all the procedures and how the childminding is organised. The childminder has developed a good system for the required documentation which includes obtaining relevant information from parents and carers. She has devised an appropriate plan for children’s care in an emergency and discusses this with parents and carers. However, she has not obtained their written consents for children to be cared for by the nominated people in an emergency. The childminder has developed relevant information which she shares with the parents and carers to ensure they are made fully aware of all the childminding arrangements. Overall the provision meets the

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents and carers, 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

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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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): • improve safety procedures by obtaining parents' and carers' written consents for transporting children and taking them on outings • develop procedures to include parents' and carers' written consents for using the emergency plan.

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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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