Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363028 Unique Reference Number 12 June 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 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 husband and three children aged two, four and nine years in a village location near Atherstone in Warwickshire. The ground floor and first floor are registered for childminding and there is a secure garden available for outside play. The family has a rabbit and guinea pigs

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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. She is currently minding one child aged under five years and two school aged children, one of them aged under eight. The childminder is able to walk or transport children to the local school and attends a parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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's good health is protected effectively because the childminder makes sure that standards of hygiene are good with thorough routines and preventative measures in place to ensure minimal risk to children. Children are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing and their health is protected with use of liquid soap. Parents are aware that their child should not attend if he or she has a contagious illness or sickness and diarrhoea and that they will be contacted if the child becomes ill. Children's best interests are served in case of accidents because the childminder holds an in-date first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet and the childminder’s good food hygiene practices. The childminder provides three meals daily if requested. Minded children currently attend on two days and on their first day the childminder cooks their favourite chicken dinner, with vegetables, and they choose what they would like for the second day. Curry with naan bread is very popular. Snacks are also healthy, for example, apples, raisins, grapes cheese and bread sticks. The childminder aims to provide a good balance of fruit and vegetables, protein and carbohydrates. Children are at no risk from unsafe food because food hygiene procedures are good. The childminder uses her knowledge effectively in the kitchen with systems that include temperature control.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s emotional well-being is addressed well and they are happy and secure in the childminder's care. They are developing an awareness of the link between their own growth needs and that of other living things, for example, they are currently growing carrots to feed to the guinea pigs. Children are developing physical skills and confidence using equipment at the park, at groups and at home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play, eat and sleep in safe and healthy premises. The play area is a 'through' sitting room and dining room with a conservatory giving access to the back garden. Bedrooms are also used for childminding, one for sleeping children and two for sleep or play. Storage of resources is well organised by the childminder as children are able to self-select, thus promoting their independence. Their toys and equipment are safe, clean and in a good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, how to cross the road safely when out walking and only one at a time when jumping on the trampoline. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision at all times. Children’s risk of injury inside the home is minimised because the childminder has identified and appropriately addressed potential hazards. She has drawn up a risk assessments for the trampoline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe from unwanted visitors and cannot leave unsupervised because security is good. The childminder is aware of child protection referral procedures and has a general awareness of the signs of abuse and neglect. However, her knowledge is not fully developed and potentially this has an impact on children's welfare.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and learn from the good range of activities provided by the childminder. She has a good awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and ensures that children attending are effectively challenged. Resources meet the needs of children at different stages of development. Information on child development is included in an achievement record that begins with an 'All about me' page completed with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled. They are cared for as individuals and relationships are good. The childminder offers good support and encourages children to think and extend their vocabulary as she asks open-ended questions. Manipulation skills are developing with regular use of pencils and crayons, malleable materials and small toys and equipment. Children name shapes and colours and they count as they play. They explore their senses, for example, today they have used musical instruments at toddler group and are now making their own musical instruments and are exploring different sounds. They are very involved in decorating the instruments and when finished, they use them as they sing and dance. Independence is encouraged and children choose their toys and help to tidy away.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are known by the childminder. They benefit from good communication between the childminder and parents that ensures consistency of care. Information for parents includes a range of written policies and procedures. Admission forms are thorough and information is shared daily through discussion and records. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to assessing and improving her service as she provides a thorough written complaints procedure for parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a satisfactory awareness of diversity as they have access to some resources that reflect positive images and the childminder plans to promote an awareness of how different people live by celebrating different religious and cultural festivals. The childminder has not yet been asked to care for a child with a learning difficulty and/or a disability. She makes sure that all children are valued and included so that they are able to reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem is fostered appropriately and behaviour management strategies include the ongoing use of praise in acknowledgement of positive behaviour. When children's behaviour is inappropriate, the childminder talks to the child giving an explanation that is appropriate for the child's level of understanding.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's implementation of a range of polices and procedures including ones on accident and emergency, confidentiality and complaints. Documentation is well organised and required records are kept in good order and up to date. Children benefit from the childminder's strong commitment to improving her skills and knowledge. Since registration she has attended training on first aid, 'Birth to Three matters', disability awareness and the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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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 Daily routines are consistent and activities are varied. Children's independence is developing well, activities are organised effectively to meet different needs and thorough admission information and verbal communication with parents ensures that each child is known as an individual.

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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): • develop a stronger working knowledge of the signs of abuse and neglect.

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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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