Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363183 Unique Reference Number 24 April 2008 Inspection date Jan Burnet 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 was registered in 2007. She lives in Rugby, Warwickshire with her husband and two children aged five years and two years. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom and front bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for one school-aged child. She walks to a local school to take and collect children.

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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's good health is satisfactorily promoted because the childminder ensures that they are aware of the benefits of healthy eating. Their best interests are served in case of accidents

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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 because the childminder has an in-date first aid certificate. However, their well being is compromised because the childminder has not asked parents for written consent for emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are known and met by the childminder. Fresh food is cooked daily for a substantial meal after school, for example, spaghetti bolognaise, a roast dinner or fish. The meal always includes vegetables. Children are unlikely to suffer stomach upset due to unsafe food because they benefit from the childminder's sound food hygiene practices. The risk of cross-infection is minimised because parents are aware that their child should not attend if he or she has a contagious illness or sickness and diarrhoea. Children’s emotional well-being is assured because a settling-in procedure is agreed with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and eat in safe and healthy premises. The main play room is the sitting room and activities are also organised in the dining area of the kitchen. A bedroom is available for sleeping children and there is a large back garden. Children’s independence is appropriately fostered because they are able to select some resources and help to tidy away. Children are safe because their toys are safe and in a good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimised because the childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision and children’s risk of injury in the home is low because she has satisfactorily addressed potential hazards. For example, safety gates are fitted, small panels of glass in doors are covered with safety film, the garden is secure and locks are fitted to kitchen cupboards and drawers. The fire is not used and could not be switched on by a child. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, how to use the pedestrian crossing and looking and listening when crossing the road. A fire procedure has been developed by the childminder, but has not been practised and potentially this impacts upon children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is aware of local referral procedures. A thorough child protection policy is provided for parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. A service is currently provided for school-age children only and resources satisfactorily meet their needs. They enjoy outdoor play and can choose from a range of resources that includes tennis, football, badminton, scooters and skateboards. Children explain that they enjoy cooking activities and that they have made fruit salads and strawberry and banana smoothies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are sociable and happy and the childminder ensures that time is always spent talking about their day at school when they get home. They confidently express their views and the relationship between children and the childminder is good. Favourite activities inside the house are drawing and painting, playing hide and seek, playing Twister and Operation and playing with cars and construction toys.

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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 satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are known and met appropriately by the childminder. Admission forms include all required information and consistency of care is addressed with verbal and good written information for parents. Policies are provided for parents and the childminder demonstrates a commitment to reviewing and improving her service as a comprehensive complaints procedure has been drawn up. Children gain some awareness of diversity because the childminder encourages them to learn about their own and other cultures and religions. The childminder currently has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but would find out as much as possible about the child from the parent in order to provide appropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are aware of the boundaries for behaviour. They benefit from the childminder's consistent methods of behaviour management which include praise in recognition of positive behaviour. House rules have been drawn up and are, 'designed to help children learn to respect each other and others' property'. Children are expected to be kind to each other, share, help to tidy away and sit at the table to eat and drink. Children explain that they know that they must listen to the childminder, not hurt other children, share toys and not go upstairs unless they ask. The childminder encourages self- discipline and negotiation.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder creates a welcoming environment for children. Admission information and verbal communication with parents ensures that children's needs are known and satisfactorily met. Children's developmental needs are adequately addressed with the choice of toys and a satisfactory range of activities.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the knowledge gained by the childminder because she demonstrates a commitment to improvement by attending training courses. Most required documentation is kept up to date and confidentiality of records is addressed. Documentation includes written policies for parents that include, child protection, health and safety, equal opportunities, house rules, accident and complaints. 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 parents, 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

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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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): • request written consent for emergency medical advice or treatment • practise the fire drill.

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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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