Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362617 Unique Reference Number 28 July 2008 Inspection date Ann Doreen Burford 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 works with another childminder and minds from her co-childminder's home. The co-childminder lives with her parents near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The whole ground floor 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 six children, of which only three may be under five. When working with another childminder they can care for a maximum of six children under five. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat and two guinea pigs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are starting to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. This is achieved because the childminder has completed basic food hygiene training and uses her knowledge effectively to implement high standards of hygiene. She wipes the table before children sit to have their snack. Children are escorted to the toilet and helped to learn about adopting a procedure that takes care of their own personal hygiene, such as hand washing

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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 before eating. They have towels with their photograph positioned above so children can identify their own. This reduces the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as they have fresh fruit every day at snack time and drinks of milk and water are offered. Additional drinks of water are kept on the dining table so children know they can go to the table and ask for a drink at any time which means they remain well hydrated. Parents provide information on their child's preferences and any food allergies. The childminder adapts the weekly menu to take into consideration each child's individual dietary needs. This means children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access the outdoor for fresh air and exercise at least once a day. They make use of the well laid out back garden or go on outings to the local facilities such as the park. Children's health is protected from the harmful effects of the sun when playing outdoors during hot weather because the childminder has permission to apply sun protection cream and parents provide protective clothing such as a hat. When playing in the back garden equipment is situated in the shade. However there is no system for monitoring the temperature of the conservatory which can become very hot during sunny weather. Children often visit soft play areas or play grounds for physical play. This enhances children's health and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is enhanced because the property is maintained to a very high standard. It is a homely, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. Children can access the fully enclosed back garden from the conservatory and have set outdoor play times every day. There is a mix of adult and child sized furniture which creates a lovely relaxed play room where children can play safely. There is an extensive range of indoor and outdoor toys that are suitable and meet current safety requirements. Children can access many of the toys for themselves. They especially like to select a book from the child-height storage unit and concentrate for quite a length of time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings because the two childminders work in great harmony together. They liaise with each other to ensure children's safety is promoted without compromising the challenges. Safety measures are followed such as when bouncing on the trampoline there is a net to prevent falls and the childminders are vigilant in their supervision. Visual risk assessments are completed so most of the house is safe although toilet bleach blocks are used, which are hazardous to children should they touch them. The house rules re-enforce safety and respect such as 'it's good to respect the furniture by sitting on it nicely'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has completed relevant training via the local authority so she understands her role and responsibilities in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. They have national safeguarding children guidance to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children quickly settle into the setting because they are made so welcome and it is such an attractive, homely environment. The childminder has a gentle manner which quickly engages the children so they enjoy each others company. The childminder builds a strong relationship with the children because she pays close attention to them. The childminder liaises closely with

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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 the co-childminder as they share their roles and responsibilities. They have identified each other's strengths and use this as they endeavour to provide high quality care and experiences for children. One of the house rules is 'have lots of fun'. This ethos is obvious as children giggle and readily join in the play opportunities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about growing vegetables from seed. The children are starting to learn about growing some plants from seeds. The childminder sits on the floor and completes jigsaws with the children. She introduces new words as they discuss the different pieces. They talk about dinosaurs and other animals. Children are given time so they learn to manipulate the pieces well and are given good support as they develop their skills and dexterity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The extensive range of age-appropriate toys and equipment underpins all of the children's care and education. The childminder arranges the resources and time so there is a balance between supervised activities and allowing children freedom to develop their own ideas. They can self-select many of the toys to enable them to initiate their own learning and become autonomous learners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Each child has their own file which is used to build up a picture of their individual needs. This information is used effectively to ensure each child's needs are met and they receive appropriate support. Children are welcome to bring their comforters from home and have them available should they feel they need them. Children have photographs of themselves on display of their involvement in the many activities. These show so many happy smiling faces. Children's art work is on display to create a colourful area where their learning can be celebrated.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children have access to everything. Multi-cultural dolls and books looking at similarities and differences are readily available. The diary used by the childminder includes the different range of festivals and celebrations so children become aware of the wider society. Currently there are no children attending who have learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities however the childminder has completed some relevant training and has procedures in place to ensure their needs are identified and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder applies positive behaviour management and has written the house rules with this in mind. The rules concentrate on what children can do and how they can play harmoniously and have fun. This is supporting children starting to understand responsible behaviour. The daily plan allows time for child-led activities and set times for more adult-led activities. The child height storage means children make some choices and take decisions. Children are very well settled and keen to cooperate with adults and each other. They are happy and content.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A daily diary sheet is used to keep parents informed about children's personal care and the activities they have joined in with. Additional updates are provided to keep parents informed of relevant information. Certificates of training and planning details are on display so parents are kept well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge as she holds a relevant childcare qualification. She has a commitment to training which means her knowledge and understanding of child care

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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 and education is kept up to date. The childminder and the co-childminder liaise closely with one another to create an effective team where meeting the needs of each child is a priority. The childminder takes the lead for record keeping. There are detailed systems in place that underpin the care of the children and are mostly kept complete. This includes detailed information on the children's needs and their development. The policies and procedures mostly work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder has reviewed her working practice and adapted the service available although the policies do not always fully reflect these changes.

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Organisation

The childminder makes good use of time, space and resources to ensure children are happy and settled and can access suitable facilities to promote first rate progress in their development and encourage them to develop a good disposition towards learning. The organisation of the setting creates a child-friendly environment where children are cared for to a high standard. 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 the 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): • monitor the temperature of the conservatory and develop a strategy to maintain the temperature at a reasonable level • ensure the written policies reflect the current practice • ensure hazardous materials are inaccessible to children, specifically toilet cleaning blocks.

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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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