Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY362053 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2008 Inspection date Gail Groves Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 10, six and two-years-old in Croxley Green near Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children, both of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups and takes children to the library and to the local parks. The family has a pet cat.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder welcomes children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder supports children with English as an additional language. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are appropriately taken care of if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder follows suitable environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. For example, children with infectious illnesses are excluded for appropriate periods of time to prevent the spread of infection and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate so that she is able to provide appropriate treatment to ill or injured children when necessary. However, she does not consistently clean the changing mat after use during nappy changing routines and when she puts children to sleep in a cot does not ensure that they have their own bed linen. As a result, children are not fully protected from the risk of cross-infection in these situations. Older children are required to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating and the childminder ensures that she wipes babies' noses when they are dirty. Therefore,

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

children learn to understand simple, good health and hygiene practices and are developing an understanding of appropriate hygiene routines for later life.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished. Parents can provide children's meals if they wish to do so but the childminder offers a balanced and interesting range of menus if required. The childminder avoids offering sweets and fizzy drinks and ensures that water, milk or fruit juice is readily available at all times so that children do not become dehydrated. Children are encouraged to begin to learn about healthy eating through discussions with the childminder about the fruit and vegetables that they see when they go shopping. She also offers them a variety of different fruits to taste so that they can decide if they like them and they look at and talk about the vegetables that she has begun to grow in the garden. Children's health and dietary needs are discussed with their parents before children begin to attend so that any particular requirements can be met.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical activity both indoors and outdoors and are developing coordination and muscle skills. For example, older children use a variety of toys such as a slide, trampoline, bikes, balls and small climbing frame in the garden and visit the park to use the large scale climbing frame, roundabout and see-saw. Inside, babies are encouraged to crawl, stand and walk and all children enjoy music and dancing sessions. Active play is balanced by less energetic play so that children can rest or sleep according to their needs. Babies' sleep routines are discussed with their parents and are carefully met at all times so that they do not become overtired and fractious.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment in which the risks to their safety are suitably minimised. For example, the childminder carries out informal risk assessments to highlight possible safety issues, she ensures that resources are stored safely and accessibly and makes dangerous areas such as the kitchen and stairs inaccessible to children. As a result, they can move around and access resources safely and independently. In addition, the childminder requested a home visit from the Fire and Rescue Service so that she could seek fire safety advice. This has helped her to devise an appropriate emergency evacuation procedure which will ensure children's safety in the event of a fire. Children also use good quality, suitable and safe equipment which is well maintained and meets their differing needs. As a result, they are able to play and take part in activities safely.

p.3

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 Appropriate procedures are in place to help ensure that children are kept safe on outings. For example, babies and young children are strapped into a buggy and older children learn that they have to hold on to the buggy and must not run on ahead. Children also learn to keep themselves safe through some discussions about practical experiences within their daily routines. For example, the childminder discusses road safety rules when she is out walking with the children and tells them that they must not climb onto the furniture or throw things in case they hurt someone.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She has a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms which would give rise to concerns about children's welfare and well-being and understands the importance of recording and reporting any such concerns.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well and are happy in the childminder's care. Consequently, they are able to confidently join in with all of the play and learning opportunities provided for them and can begin to make decisions and to explore and investigate their environment. For example, babies confidently crawl around the room selecting and exploring resources independently. They discover what happens when they press the buttons on an interactive toy, look with interest at the way that the beads move inside a 'rain stick' toy and listen to the noise that it makes when they shake it. As a result, they are able to extend their thinking and learning in ways that are practical and meaningful. Children relate well to others and are developing good social skills because the childminder is always interested in what they do and say and interacts with them at all times. Consequently, they form affectionate relationships with her and readily communicate

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

at age-appropriate levels with other adults and children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a range of planned activities and spontaneous events, which support all areas of their development and learning. For example, they attend parent and toddler groups to mix and play with other children and develop social skills. They learn about the world around them as they go for walks by the canal to feed the ducks or look at the vegetables growing in the garden. They develop their imagination as they dress up and play with the home corner equipment in the play house and develop their creative skills as they paint, draw and glue or make models with dough. They have opportunities to develop hand and eye coordination as they cut with scissors, complete puzzles or post shapes into holes and to develop language and communication skills as they look at books, listen to stories and talk and interact with the childminder throughout their play.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's emotional development is well supported because they feel a sense of belonging and are comfortable and happy in the childminder's care. They learn to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour and the childminder uses a variety of methods to encourage them to understand what is expected of them. For example, she has a set of house rules displayed as pictures and words so that all children can understand what they mean, she provides a good role model for children and she praises and rewards appropriate behaviour using charts and certificates. In addition, children are encouraged to share and take turns so that they can begin to understand that they must respect the needs of others and learn to work harmoniously

p.4

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 together. Consequently, they are developing a range of social skills. Children have opportunities to make choices and take decisions throughout their daily routine. For example, they choose which resources they wish to play with, decide when they have had enough to drink and choose whether they would like to eat a snack or not. As a result, they are developing confidence and self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their individual needs met because the childminder forms a sound partnership with their parents and carers. For example, before they begin to attend, she seeks detailed written information about children's sleeping and eating routines, their toileting needs and their likes and dislikes so that she can meet their immediate needs and help them to settle. She has daily discussions with parents about what their children have been doing with her and they know that they can telephone her at any time to ask about their child's well-being if they have any concerns. Parents also have access to a range of written policies and procedures to keep them informed about the childminder's practice. The childminder is aware of the requirement for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to be offered appropriate help and would liaise closely with their parents in order to meet their children's particular needs.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from access to some resources which reflect positive images of culture, gender, and disability. However, these are limited and as a result the opportunities for children to extend their understanding about the differences between people are also restricted.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children and demonstrates a sense of purpose and a commitment to improvement. For example, she has gained the required level of qualification for childminding, has also attended some further training to enhance her business skills and is currently looking at ways to record children's progress. Consequently, children's development can be more fully supported.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder's policies and procedures generally work in practice to promote positive outcomes for children and all of the necessary documentation for the efficient and safe management of the setting is in place. However, because the register of children's attendance is not always accurately completed and the childminder is unclear about what information she is required to record in the event of having to administer medication to children, her record keeping systems are not always used appropriately to meet children’s needs.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder's effective use of her time and the available space contributes to children’s good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting. For example, the premises are well organised and the indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. Resources are stored so that children can access them independently and the childminder rotates them to ensure that children continue to be interested and involved in their play. As a result, they enjoy a stimulating environment in which they are able to play and learn effectively. In addition, the childminder spends all of her time playing and interacting with the children and is therefore able to extend their development and support their care needs as and when this is required.

p.5

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

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • review the hygiene procedures used during nappy changing routines and ensure that each child has their own bed linen if used • increase the amount of play materials which reflect diversity and show positive images of boys and girls and men and women from a variety of cultural backgrounds and with varying needs • ensure that all records required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are accurately and correctly maintained.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6