Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363005 Unique Reference Number 14 May 2008 Inspection date Melanie Eastwell 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 two children aged nine and five years in the town of Finedon in Northamptonshire within a short walk of all local amenities. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding with access to the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog, two cats and two rabbits as pets. She attends a local parent and toddler group and takes children to a local park. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children who attend on a full time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's continued good health is promoted because the childminder has high standards of cleanliness and follows effective procedures to maintain a hygienic environment. For example, she washes her hands before preparing meals and snacks and is prompt in cleaning up after

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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 meal times. Children are protected from the risk of cross-infection because they have individual, named hand towels in the bathroom and the childminder has good practices in place at nappy changing times such as washing her hands and cleaning the mat with anti-bacterial wipes between each child, disposing of the bagged nappies in the outside bin and ensuring that each child's nappies and creams are clearly labelled. Children who have accidents receive appropriate treatment because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and well-stocked first aid kits are available. One is accessible in the kitchen and the other is always taken on outings with the children. Detailed records are kept, signed by parents of accidents and medication administered to children. Children are learning about the benefits of maintaining good personal

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Helping children to be healthy

hygiene because the childminder talks to them about germs and helps them to wash their hands before they eat and after messy activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. The childminder ensures they play outside in the fresh air each day and they use fixed equipment in the garden that promotes swinging, balancing, climbing and hand and eye co-ordination. They go for regular walks around the local area. Inside, children have space to move around. Equipment is available to allow babies to stretch, roll on the floor and explore their environment. Individual sleep and rest requirements for each child are respected by the childminder who ensures that their needs are met. Children benefit from the varied and freshly prepared meals and snacks provided by the childminder. They begin to learn about healthy choices for food because the childminder offers fruit, vegetables and savoury foods in the weekly menu. Babies food is provided by parents, the childminder ensures that food is stored correctly and is thoroughly re-heated and allowed

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Helping children to be healthy

to cool before serving. Children do not become thirsty because they have drinks available to them throughout the day. The childminder reminds them to have a drink and offers babies regular drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given high priority by the childminder who takes active steps to ensure her home is safe for them. Any risks or hazards are identified in written risk assessments and issues are resolved appropriately. Sleeping children are checked regularly to ensure their safety. Children are safe because the childminder maintains high levels of supervision and manages their needs most effectively. For example, she talks to them about safety when prompted by the children and discusses road safety when out walking. This helps children begin to learn about how to keep themselves safe during their play and when on outings. Children have access to a good range of play materials and equipment that are safe, suitable and cover all areas of development. They can help themselves to items from boxes and a toy chest. The toys are rotated regularly to keep children's interest. Children are encouraged to help tidy items away

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

when they have finished. This begins to develop a sense of care for toys and to maintain a safe environment for everyone.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder understands the procedures to follow in the event of child protection concerns. She has attended training courses to ensure her knowledge is up to date and is aware of the importance of maintaining confidentiality when managing such issues and recording and reporting concerns in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.

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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 attending and demonstrate that they are relaxed and happy in the childminder's home. They move around freely and are confident to seek reassurance and comfort from the childminder as they need it. Children benefit from the highly positive interaction from the childminder. She talks to them and listens to their questions and comments. They respond to her smiley facial expressions and babies laugh and giggle when she plays games and reads with them. Children are confident with visitors in the childminder's home because she introduces them and explains why they have come. This helps children to feel secure and relaxed. The childminder ensures that each child has access to activities that are suitable for their age and ability, that keep their interest and promote development. During school holidays the childminder offers a different selection of activities. Children enjoy recalling an outing where they saw a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

variety of reptiles and proudly announce that they held a 'black snake'. Children benefit from the flexible routines the childminder has in place, they know what comes next and this enhances their feelings of well-being and security.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's achievements are recorded in individual files. The childminder records observations, photographs and samples of their drawings and other art work that clearly shows progression during their time with her. Although the childminder is confident to record achievements linked to the Foundation Stage, she is less confident when using the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has identified this as an area for further development. The records are shared with parents and the children enjoy looking through their own folders and point to the pictures which promotes discussion and re-call of past events.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and with respect. The childminder is skilled at managing their needs and is able to anticipate when activities need to be changed or when children are getting tired or hungry. Children begin to develop a sense of inclusion through the childminder's positive manner. For example, older children enjoy interacting with babies, they pass them toys and hold their hands. The babies laugh and gurgle at them which develops friendships and a sense of care and concern for each other. Children have access to a good range of play materials and books that show positive images of diversity and the childminder actively encourages them to talk about their different cultures and beliefs. For example, an older child explains about the 'Bindi's' that are used by their female family members. Children enjoy taking part in the celebration of festivals that are meaningful to them such as Divali and Christmas. The childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is willing to take on any child following thorough discussion with their parents to ensure that she can meet all children's needs effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They respond to the childminder's gentle and clear explanations and older children understand the 'Five Golden Rules' in the childminder's home. These boundaries have a positive emphasis and older children are aware of them. Children's behaviour is managed in a calm and consistent manner, the childminder makes effective use of distraction and explanation to ensure children understand the reasons why their behaviour is unacceptable. Behaviour issues are minimised because children are provided with a good range of interesting and appropriately challenging activities. Children benefit from the positive relationship between their parents and the childminder who ensures that parents are kept fully informed about their child's progress through daily feedback. The childminder works closely with parents to manage issues affecting children, this consistent approach promotes children's sense of belonging in

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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 the setting. All the required documentation such as parental consents, contracts and child record forms are in place and the childminder is aware of the requirement to record any complaints that may arise from parents relating to the National Standards. However, she has not implemented a system to manage any complaints that may arise.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care, welfare and development are promoted in this welcoming setting. The childminder is skilled at anticipating and meeting the children's individual needs and they clearly demonstrate how confident and relaxed they feel in her home. The documentation is well-organised and kept up to date. The written policies and procedures the childminder has devised for herself are clearly reflected in her daily activity with children. The childminder is keen to keep her knowledge up to date and has attended a number of relevant training courses and workshops. Ratio's are met at all times and the childminder organises her childminding commitments to ensure she is able to give each child sufficient one to one attention. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's well organised, professional approach, she has their interests first in her mind and provides high quality interaction, activities and play opportunities,

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Organisation

she knows them well and is able to anticipate their individual needs which promotes their care, welfare and development. 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 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): • continue to develop the planning, records and activities for children under three years • implement a system to record any complaints that may arise from parents relating to the National Standards.

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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 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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