Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362106 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2008 Inspection date Veronica Sharpe 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 two and seven years in a village just off the A428, near St. Neots, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and can also provide overnight care for two children. There are currently two children on roll who attend part-time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminding group.

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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 learn to lead a healthy lifestyle as they go for walks round the village and visit the recreation ground. The attractive garden encourages them to develop positive attitudes to fresh air and exercise. Children develop their large muscle control as they use fixed play equipment at the park or use balls and bats. Tools, such as scissors and pencils or making puzzles helps to develop hand and eye coordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating when they discuss the kind of food they want to eat and choose their meals and snacks. The childminder plans a sample menu that includes healthy options, such as pasta, toast or jacket potatoes. This is shared with parents so they know about the kinds of food offered. Children have free access to drinks so that they remain well hydrated and can think effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through regular daily routines to promote their ongoing good health. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating and recognise this is to prevent germs. Although the childminder has had no accidents to report she is aware of the importance of recording such events and sharing details with parents and carers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm and welcoming home that is clean and spacious. They move around the home safely because the childminder ensures hazards are minimised and keeps children under close supervision. Smoke alarms in the home are tested regularly and records are kept. Children practise the emergency escape plan regularly so they know how to respond in the event of a fire. Children learn to keep themselves safe on outings, for example, they know to hold hands and watch for traffic before crossing roads. When using the car they use appropriate seats and restraints so they travel safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from plentiful resources that reflect their age and stage of development. This enables them to progress in all the areas of their development. Play materials are set out each day for children to use and these are clean and well maintained. Children have their own play room where they can select additional resources independently, however, this is disorganised and therefore hinders children's ability to access some of the resources easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted well as the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection. Written policies and procedures ensure parents are fully informed of her responsibilities to keep children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in the childminder's home, they show they are happy and content as they sit themselves down at the table and prepare for a snack. They chatter about their day and show warm friendships with the childminder's own children. Activities enable children to extend and sustain their ideas, such as making papier-mâché hot air balloons over a period of

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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 days. The childminder supports children as they play, showing she is interested in their activities. She makes additional resources available to enable children to extend their learning and enjoyment of planned activities, for example, they find some wool to make beds for soft toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have the opportunity to socialise as they visit local activity groups or use the recreation ground. Trips further afield enable them to explore the wider world, such as visiting the nearby town to look at the shops or use the library. Children take part in local events and have fun contributing to a local scarecrow festival. Older children attending after school have a chance to relax, watch some television or play games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well when in the setting, they sit together at the activities and show good sharing skills. The childminder has high expectations and children respond to this by being polite, friendly and sociable. Activities are planned each day that meet children's individual needs so children are eager to participate. All the children attending have equal opportunities to make choices and play independently. Some activities are planned to enable children to learn about the world around them, for instance, they devised their own Independence Day celebrations. However, resources that show children positive images of diversity are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder liaises with parents and collects information from them to enable her to meet children's needs and this would include any that have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Written agreements and contracts are in place to ensure both parents and childminder are secure in the expectations of care. Most information about children's welfare is shared with parents verbally as they deliver and collect their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a spacious and mostly well-organised home environment. They use all the ground floor as well as the first floor playroom and make themselves at home. Activities are varied and meet the needs of the children who attend, although the organisation of resources sometimes limits children's ability to self-select easily. The childminder keeps all necessary documentation with due regard for confidentiality, such as agreements and children's personal information.

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Organisation

The childminder attends all necessary training to enable her to care for children and promote their welfare. She holds a current first aid certificate and is currently increasing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. An accurate record of children's attendance ensures they are safely accounted for. 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

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 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): • continue to develop the organisation of toys and resources to improve children's opportunities to make decisions about their play • continue to increase the range of activities and resources that help children learn about diversity.

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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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