Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY362415 Unique Reference Number 28 April 2008 Inspection date Susan Marriott 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11 years and twin five-year-olds in their house, Northamptonshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time is currently caring for one child under five all day on a full time basis. The childminder walks to local playgroups and schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local toddler group and childminding support group. The family has a pet hamster. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean home where the childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and the childminder understands good health & hygiene practices. For example, she provides individual towels in the bathroom, discusses dental health with children and uses squirty soap rather than a bar of soap because she knows that this helps to prevent

p.2

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 the spread of germs. Children receive good care if they have an accident or become ill. Suitable documentation is available to record accidents and any medication in accordance with requirements. The childminder holds an appropriate first aid certificate and obtains permission to seek medical advice or treatment and to apply plasters. This means that children receive prompt and appropriate emergency treatment.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical exercise and play and have daily access to fresh air. They accompany their childminder on walks to the village greengrocer to buy fruit and vegetables for lunch. Children enjoy visits to a soft play activity group where they can burn off surplus energy. Children can play in the garden and the childminder makes good use of the local parks, where children can play on fixed equipment. Children enjoy bus trips to places such as the pet shop at Stony Stratford, feed the ducks on the river and walk across the field to the nearby brook. These activities routinely contribute towards the development and improvement of children’s physical skills and agility.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Young children are able to rest quietly on the sofa with books, puzzles or short periods of suitably- controlled television programmes. Children benefit from nutritious, well-balanced meals and snacks appropriate to their individual needs because the childminder works well with parents. Children do not become thirsty because they have access to regular drinks throughout the day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and their parents and carers receive a truly warm welcome and feel at ease in this friendly and homely environment which is kept suitably clean and tidy. The childminder prepares her home for children by having an activity already set up for them to play with on arrival. Parents are consulted about their child’s routines and preferences to help their child to settle into the home. This results in the childminder being fully informed about the children and enables her to cater effectively for their needs on a day to day basis. Space is used extremely well to ensure that children may play safely under direct supervision at all times. The childminder has taken great care to ensure that the areas available to children are regularly redecorated and well maintained. For example, laminate flooring has been laid throughout the ground floor to make cleaning easier. Toys are in a good state of repair and are age-appropriate. Children

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

independently select books, toys and activities from a wide choice stored in labelled drawers and boxes, facilitating self-selection and choice for children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very safe and well-cared for because the childminder gives high priority to safety within her home and garden. For example, the childminder provides a low-level handrail to assist children to negotiate the steep steps from the house to the garden and the greenhouse is safely fenced. Children are able to move around and play freely and independently because the vigilant childminder has thoughtfully identified and minimised all risks. Domestic safety measures such as socket covers are in place and kitchen sockets are isolated by remote control so that no kitchen appliances can be used without the childminder's knowledge. The childminder has a robust written evacuation plan to ensure children's safety and records her weekly drills. The fire officer has visited to assess safety and to give advice. Children are able to describe their evacuation plan and know that they must not run during drills in case they fall over and

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder positively safeguards children's welfare and has a competent understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She keeps

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 clear, appropriate documentation, reference information and contact telephone numbers to ensure children's safety and welfare at all times.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good balance of indoor and outdoor activities as shown by the childminder's weekly activity plan which includes learning time and mini trips to local places of interest. The childminder ensures that time is set aside for work on numbers, letters, shape sorting and colour recognition as appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. Children have good opportunities to experience role play through varied scenarios such as dolly washing, play with hand puppets, tools and the workbench. During the inspection, the children proudly show their paintings and folders of art work, announcing to the inspector that they can mix yellow and red to make orange. From the portfolios of children's work it is evident that the childminder provides a good range of papers and paint colours to meet the needs of children who thoroughly enjoy painting. Annotated samples of cutting out and drawings demonstrate that the childminder

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

continually assesses children's capabilities and interests, building on these to develop their learning. Photographs provide valuable evidence of children's achievements. Children talk about the birds who visit the garden and help their childminder to refill the bird feeders which attract them. Children are clearly gaining confidence to manage their personal care routines and talk to the inspector about the film they had recently been to see with their childminder. They relate the story about an elephant who dived into the swimming pool and emptied it because he was so big.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about their community as they visit social groups, walk in the neighbourhood and visit local parks but the childminder has yet to fully develop ways of actively promoting children's awareness of the wider world. The childminder has little experience of caring for children with identified learning difficulties and/or disabilities but feels able to approach parents if she is worried about children's progress and obtain appropriate support from outside agencies to address the concern. The childminder meets children's needs through the daily routine as discussed with their parents.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in response to the childminder's clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour and consistent expectations. The childminder confidently uses facial expression and tone of voice to remind children about positive behaviour including good manners and courtesy. She changes the tone of her voice when reminding children to be careful near roads.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with them to meet children's individual needs by the use of written contracts and professionally produced documentation. She requests all relevant and required written consents. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her procedures, including how to make a complaint and how children will be cared for by discussion at initial visits and through information provided in a portfolio. The childminder keeps parents fully informed and updated on their child's well-being and development whilst in her care through daily conversations.

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is gaining confidence in her childcare practice, using her warm personality and her life experience as a mother to actively promote highly positive outcomes for children. The childminder is constantly updating her knowledge through contact with other childminders and training opportunities presented by the local authority. She operates with clear written policies and procedures. A suitable attendance register is in place and all members of the household are suitably vetted. She has begun to use a brief form of self-evaluation to monitor the quality of her service and is now actively seeking ways to continue to develop this. The childminder is able to enrich children's care, learning and play through her constant interaction and interest. All of the children receive individual attention at some time during the day and benefit from social interaction with children of varying ages and backgrounds. Children

p.5

Organisation

confidently choose activities and the childminder encourages them to extend their experiences. Children's welfare and education is effectively supported through the childminder's clear use of thoughtful routines which cover the National Standards. Overall, children's needs are met.

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.5

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.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • continue to develop daily practice to find ways of actively promoting children's awareness of the wider world.

p.5

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.5

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.5