Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY361687 Unique Reference Number 24 April 2008 Inspection date Sally Elizabeth Lee 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 with her husband and child aged three years in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding together with the bathroom and two rear bedrooms on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent and toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because they learn good hygiene procedures from the daily routines of hand washing before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder provides a good role model for them as she washes her hands regularly and makes sure that if children drop food or cutlery on the floor it is either discarded or washed. The nappy changing procedure is sound. The childminder keeps the house clean and tidy. She has completed a first aid course and keeps

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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 the first aid box in the kitchen, accessible to adults but not children. However, she has not requested consent to emergency medical treatment which does put children at risk of harm. There is a clear procedure in place to record any accidents the children may have.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished by the healthy, nutritious meals and snacks they are offered while with the childminder. They learn to make healthy food choices because they talk about this as they eat and as they play the fruit game. This involves the childminder hiding pictures of different fruits and the children try to find them. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of healthy eating and of how to store any food provided by parents safely. Any special dietary needs are discussed and recorded before care begins and, in addition, the childminder provides prospective parents with sample menus. Children are provided with drinks on a regular basis and are encouraged to drink which ensures they are well hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy developing their physical skills as they dance and move enthusiastically to music. They go for walks by the canal and feed the ducks and to the local nursery daily. They like to go to local parks to play on the swings and slides and to play in the enclosed rear garden.

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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 warm and friendly family home which is made welcoming by the accessible toys and the displays of bright posters and children's work. The home is clean and in good repair. It is well organised to provide sufficient space to support children's play and learning and to provide all of the necessary facilities fulfil their care needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children benefit from a broad range of good quality attractive toys and play materials. The toys support the activities planned by the childminder very well and they are enhanced by the games and resources made by the childminder to develop children's learning. The toys cover all areas of play and the full range of children cared for. In addition, the childminder has all the necessary equipment, for example, travel cots, pushchairs and buggy boards to enable her to care for children appropriately and safely. All the resources are checked regularly for safety and hygiene.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe because the childminder is able to identify and minimise risk very well. She is vigilant and ensures the home is safe and secure. Good quality safety equipment is provided and used well to protect children from harm. For example, there are safety gates at the bottom and top of the stairs. Electric sockets, medicines and cleaning materials are made inaccessible to children. The childminder has drawn up a fire evacuation procedure following advice from the fire safety officer and children learn how to keep themselves safe by practising this regularly. They talk about road safety as they walk to nursery every day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected because the childminder has some knowledge of child protection procedures. She is booked to attend training in this area to extend her understanding. She has the appropriate contact numbers easily accessible for further help and guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy within the childminding environment. They relate very well to the childminder and her family. Interaction between the childminder and the children is good

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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 and the children are developing social skills as they relate to other children and learn to play co-operatively. Care tasks are performed sensitively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a very wide range of games and activities which the childminder plans and prepares well. They play games to develop their knowledge and understanding of numbers, colours and letters. They enjoy role play as they 'prepare' meals in the toy kitchen and 'shop' for the ingredients they need. They make and decorate kites and look forward to taking them out to fly. They create fish tanks out of cardboard boxes and make colourful fish to put in them. They play treasure hunts and musical cushions as well as the musical animal game where they learn to count and recognise numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from clear routines within the home environment. They start the day looking at their calendar and weather chart, talking about the natural environment. They have quiet times where they rest and sleep, or listen to stories which they love. They have very active times when they dance and play hopscotch and they develop their creativity as they paint and draw. They love to cook, measuring out the ingredients for flapjacks and they develop their knowledge of information and communication technology as they play on the computer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder discusses and records these before care begins. They learn about our diverse world from the books and resources provided as well as the calendar of festivals displayed in the kitchen. The childminder provides a positive role model for the children. She shows respect and concern for all areas of society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has little experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and is very willing to work closely with parents and other professionals and to undertake further training to ensure she includes any child she cares for in all the activities and daily routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well while they are with the childminder. They learn to share and take turns from the daily activities and to play co-operatively. The childminder uses good strategies to manage behaviour. She is clear, ensuring she has eye contact with the child and then explains why behaviour is unacceptable. She uses praise and distraction to good effect.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a sound partnership with parents. She completes daily diary sheets which include details of what the children have been doing and the meals they have eaten. One day a week she encourages parents to take extra time when collecting their children to discuss any concerns parents may have and this helps parents to feel confident about the care provided and ultimately benefits children's overall well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder protects the children from persons who have not been vetted by ensuring they are supervised by her at all times. She has attended the mandatory training courses, including first aid, and is booked to attend further training as she is keen to improve and develop her childminding skills and practice. There have been no changes to her suitability since registration.

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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 The childminder is careful to ensure she complies with her conditions of registration at all times. She organises space, time and resources well to provide children with opportunities in all areas of play and learning and experiences which stimulate and further their development. She maintains the majority of the documentation necessary for her childminding business in an efficient manner. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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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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 consent to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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