Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363354 Unique Reference Number 15 July 2008 Inspection date Tara Street 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 lives with her family in Glossop. The whole of the ground floor, the bathroom upstairs and the rear bedroom in the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day on a part-time basis. The childminder drives and walks to local schools and pre-school to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family has a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an early year's childcare qualification. She is willing to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a clean, well-maintained environment where they learn to follow good personal hygiene routines. Younger children experience hygienic nappy changing routines and older children are supported to wash their hands before snacks and meals. Their understanding of personal hygiene is further promoted as the childminder discusses why hygiene is important for their health. However, the children share a communal towel to dry their hands, potentially impacting on their health. A clear sickness policy offers parents information about exclusion periods for children who are unwell, ensuring children are not placed at risk of infection and illness. The childminder holds an appropriate first aid qualification, and suitable documentation is in place to record accidents and any administered medication, which parents sign ensuring they are kept fully informed of the injuries and treatment children receive. Written

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Helping children to be healthy

permission is obtained from parents for the childminder to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment. However, the record does not sufficiently identify which child the permission relates to, impacting on their general health and welfare in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good variety of nourishing meals which meet their nutritional and dietary needs, personal choice and individual food preferences. The childminder takes time to get to know the children's preferences, because she works closely with parents and carers, and provides food that they will enjoy. Children are offered a good range of fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis and enjoy a variety of cooked meals such as chicken curry and rice, cottage pie with mixed vegetables, beans on toast and tuna and sweetcorn pasta, which promotes their understanding of healthy eating. Mealtimes are a social event where children eat together and are encouraged to take their time and enjoy their food. Children are well hydrated as drinks of water or juice are available and freely accessible throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good awareness of physical health and fitness. A wide range of opportunities are provided for the children to be active, to enjoy fresh air and physical exercise. They enjoy playing in the garden, using equipment to balance, climb, ride on bikes and play in the sand and water trays. Children experience regular visits to the local toddler and childminding groups to experience large play equipment. Children are able to run freely, play games and develop their physical skills such as, participating in egg and spoon races and playing with skipping ropes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are welcoming and child orientated. Children are cared for in a secure and homely environment where they are always within sight or hearing of the childminder which ensures they can move around safely. Children experience a well-organised space which is used effectively to allow them choice and free movement and allows children of different ages to play independently and safely. The childminder is aware of young children's needs and provides suitable furniture and equipment, which allows them to sleep comfortably and undisturbed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. They experience a wide range of toys and resources that are appropriate for their age and stages of development. Daily activities are suitably organised to enable children to make individual choices about their play. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of risk assessments. She carries out ongoing checks

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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 which enables children to play without risk of harm or injury. Children's understanding is raised as the childminder discusses potential hazards such as road safety with them on a daily basis. Children experience good levels of supervision and appropriate safety equipment is in place to ensure hazards are reduced such as smoke alarms and safety gates. A clear emergency escape plan is in place, which is rehearsed regularly with the children to promote their understanding of safety within the home. Parental permissions are obtained to transport children and to take them on outings, which ensures children's continued safety. However, the childminder does not have immediate access to relevant documentation in the event of an emergency, potentially impacting on children's safety on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended appropriate training and has written a clear policy and procedure, which is shared with parents, that clearly states her role and responsibilities to ensure children are protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has developed strong relationships with the children and they are confident to seek her support or help when playing, enabling them to feel secure. She is responsive to children's needs, offers good levels of support and shows an interest in what children have to say. For example, when children are looking at books she supports them to name the different animals they can see such as chicken, dog and cat, and encourages them to explain what they think is happening. Children are offered a lot of time and attention and are encouraged to develop their ideas and imagination. They enjoy pretending the dolls are babies, rocking them to sleep, changing their nappy and confidently remove the 'dummy' to give the baby it's bottle. Children's language skills are developing well through the childminder's use of age-appropriate questioning and providing activities that encourage repetition of words. Children enjoy choosing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

from a variety of books and enthusiastically join in with well known phrases such as 'Bang, crash, splash!'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn through their play. They experience a good range of toys and resources which are changed regularly to provide interest and stimulation in all developmental areas. For example, children regularly enjoy playing with role play equipment, construction sets, books, puzzles and dressing up clothes. They also experiment with making collages and participate in a wide variety of craft activities. They regularly visit the local library to choose books and attend music sessions as well as participating in nature walks and trips to farm parks, which develop their awareness of the wider community around them. Children play well together and are developing their social skills of sharing toys and turn-taking in conversations. The childminder has a good understanding of each child's progress and uses this to plan activities to offer sufficient levels of challenge. She is flexible in her planning to ensure children's individual needs can be met.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Out of school care is focused on giving children time and space to relax and unwind, as well as offering planned activities such as reading books together, painting and colouring activities and using the computer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being treated as individuals. The childminder takes the time to get to know the children well, enabling her to provide appropriate care and promote their well-being.

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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 Children develop their social skills and are encouraged to play together because the childminder is a good role model and praises all efforts to participate in activities. Their awareness of diversity is raised well through a range of activities and resources such as puzzles, imaginative play equipment and dressing-up clothes. The childminder uses age-appropriate books to discuss and develop young children's understanding of a diverse culture and beliefs. Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities the childminder is able to provide care which includes them in the life of the setting through discussing their needs with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and are cared for in a secure environment where the emphasis is on positive behaviour. The childminder applies consistent boundaries and offers regular praise to promote good behaviour and develop children's self-esteem. For example, the childminder has implemented an effective reward chart and sticker system to reward children for positive behaviour such as playing co-operatively together. A clear behaviour management policy is in place, which is shared with parents to ensure the care offered is appropriate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder forms close relationships with parents and carers, helping to ensure children are settled and secure. Parents are provided with information about the provision through written policies, daily diaries and verbal communication on a daily basis. They are provided with regular updates about their child's progress, including information about their appetite at meal times and the activities they have been engaged in that day. A clear complaints procedure is in place which parents are made aware of. Children's individual details are gathered and regularly updated to ensure their needs and parents' wishes are known, providing consistency of care for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is generally well promoted as they are cared for by a knowledgeable childminder who has a good range of experience with children of different ages and abilities. She is effective in identifying her own training needs and attends appropriate courses which improve the care and learning offered to children. Recent training includes 'Basic food hygiene' and 'Working with children with communication difficulties'. Children's progress is encouraged as a result of the childminder's successful organisation skills. For example, children attend a variety of outings within the local community and surrounding areas to develop their awareness of the world around them. Their development is well promoted because of the clear consideration given to organising the home to meet children's care needs. A thorough register of attendance is in place with children's times of arrival and departure, ensuring ratios are maintained at all

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Organisation

times, which enables her to provide appropriate activities for the ages and numbers attending.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to ensuring that children's individual needs are met. Most documentation is well maintained and suitable for its purpose. Written policies and procedures, which she has produced, are clear, easy to follow and are effectively shared with parents, helping to promote the welfare, safety, care and learning of children. The privacy of parents and children is maintained through the childminder's sound understanding of confidentiality and record keeping. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements 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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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 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): • review procedures to ensure children experience hygienic toileting procedures in relation to hand drying • ensure permissions for seeking medical advice and treatment contains sufficient detail • ensure children's safety on outings by having immediate access to relevant documentation in the event of an emergency.

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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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