Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364563 Unique Reference Number 08 July 2008 Inspection date Paula Hunt 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 in the Bedworth area of Warwickshire with her husband and two children aged six and five years. The whole of the childminder's bungalow is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder uses her car to transport children to and from local schools. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a cat, a rabbit and a guinea pig and 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 stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene guidelines and procedures. For example, cleaning food surfaces before preparing lunch and encouraging children to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children are beginning to understand the importance of simple, good health and hygiene practices as they have their hands washed after nappy changing and before meals. Individual drying arrangements are provided for children in the bathroom, minimising cross-infection. A suitable first aid box is readily available. Medication, accident and incident records are maintained and the childminder has written consent from parents for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder provides a varied range of nutritious meals and snacks which include fresh fruit and vegetables. Older children are offered frequent drinks of milk, water or squash throughout the day whilst babies are fed according to their individual routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works well in partnership with parents to ensure that children’s individual dietary requirements, or parents preferences, are appropriately met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to be involved in physical activity. For example, they enjoy visits to the park and playing in the garden. A range of equipment is provided for children to develop confidence in their physical skills when playing in the garden. They have good opportunities to rest and sleep according to their needs and the childminder is very aware of individual routines and sleeping patterns and ensures they are adhered to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Space is organised appropriately to meet the needs of the children and allow them to move around freely and make choices about what they would like to do. They freely choose from a range of resources that are easily accessible and discuss what they want to do with the childminder who supports this appropriately. All toys and play materials observed are stimulating and are in good condition. The childminder ensures that resources remain safe and suitable with regular checking routines. The outdoor play area and equipment are also checked for safety before children are allowed outside to play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Generally, children are cared for in a safe environment as most risks have been identified and minimised appropriately, for example, doors are kept locked for security and cupboard locks ensure children do not have access to hazardous substances. However, the trampoline and raised playhouse have not been sufficiently risk assessed to prevent accidents which poses a potential risk to children, impacting on their welfare. Children are kept safe on outings with appropriate supervision and equipment for example, the childminder explains that when she is transporting children she ensures that appropriate car seats are used and that children use the door away from the roadside when exiting the vehicle. The childminder also discusses road safety aspects with the children when they are outdoors in order that they start to understand how to keep themselves safe.

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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 Children are safeguarded appropriately because the childminder understands her role in child protection. A written policy and up to date safeguarding procedures support the childminder's practice and she is able to identify a number of possible signs of abuse and neglect. This means that the childminder is able to promptly respond to any concerns of this nature, therefore promoting children's safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have warm, trusting relationships with the childminder; they are happy, well settled and receive plenty of reassuring cuddles. Routines and care are established which are consistent with home; this promotes children's sense of security and develops their confidence. Children benefit from the childminder's awareness of the different age groups being cared for together and she is able to meet their individual needs by having a good awareness of the children's interests and personalities. They relate well with each other and younger children are beginning to socialise through regular attendance at local toddler groups. The childminder encourages children to develop their interests by actively participating with them at floor level. The childminder sat with the baby and brought out a variety of activity toys and encouraged her to play, for example, pressing buttons on a talking teddy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to join in with musical sessions which include listening to music and singing simple rhymes. They express their creativity using a variety of craft materials, such as play dough, paints and glue. They enjoy books and listening to stories which helps to develop their literacy skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and included because the childminder encourages them to share their ideas and be involved in making decisions about what they would like to do. They have good opportunities to learn about their local and wider community, for example, they access resources which reflect a positive image of race, gender and disability, such as books and small world figures. Through the celebration of a variety of festivals, such as Diwali and Christmas they learn effectively about their own traditions and those of others. Additionally, they visit the local toddler group and parks which further develops their knowledge of the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well due to the childminder's consistent use of praise and encouragement and she manages unwanted behaviour with distraction and calm explanations. They have their individual needs well met because the childminder works appropriately in partnership with parents. For example, information is obtained from parents before placement begins regarding any particular requirements of their child, such as dietary or health, which ensures that appropriate care is provided in line with parents' wishes. Daily chats with parents ensure that they are fully informed about their child's progress. A number of policies have been devised to share with parents before placement, to inform them about the childcare practice and written agreements are maintained along with appropriate consent forms.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space is organised well to meet the needs of the children, so that they are able to initiate their own play and learning. Routines are established to ensure that children are secure and children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults. Children receive good levels of individual support, time and attention from the childminder who maintains the correct adult-child ratio.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place although, the attendance records do not always give a clear account of when children are present. Personal information relating to children is stored confidentially in individual plastic wallets. The childminder is committed to improving her child care knowledge and understanding. She has completed the required training and in addition accesses other relevant training opportunities, such as basic food hygiene and child protection. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the National Standards and implements them to promote positive outcomes for children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there has 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): • ensure an accurate record of children's attendance is mainatined • ensure outdoor play equipment is adequately risk assessed and precautions are taken to minimise any identified risks with regard to the trampoline and raised playhouse.

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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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