Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY367051 Unique Reference Number 30 June 2008 Inspection date Rachel Wyatt 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 one and four on the outskirts of Worcester. The whole of the ground floor and a first floor bathroom of 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 four children at any one time, and is currently looking after four children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and of a local childminder support group. The childminder has a degree in Early Childhood Studies.

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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 are looked after in a clean and comfortable home. The childminder ensures all areas are kept clean, and is mindful of the possible impact of having a cat so she ensures all surfaces are regularly wiped and that floors are swept and vacuumed. Children become aware of the importance of good hygiene from an early age. For example, at meal times babies, as well as their older peers, have their hands and faces wiped with individual clean flannels. Children become increasingly independent in seeing to their personal care, as a result of the childminder's sensitive encouragement and their use of child-friendly toilet and bathroom areas.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health needs are generally effectively promoted. The childminder is well informed about their individual care, medical and dietary needs. She ensures parents fully understand her health and hygiene procedures, including her arrangements for children's care and for informing them if their child becomes unwell, has an accident or needs medication. The risks of cross-infection are minimised as the childminder's policy and prospectus give parents clear guidance on her sick children exclusion requirements. However, children's well-being is not fully protected as the childminder has not obtained parents' written consent to her seeking medical advice and treatment in an emergency. In other respects children have appropriate prompt treatment as the childminder has a relevant current first aid qualification and a suitably stocked first aid box.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from being physically active and they enjoy frequent outdoor play. Babies and children use a range of toys and equipment both in the childminder's garden and on regular visits to nearby parks. These promote babies' developing mobility and children's confidence in movement, balance and coordination. Babies' and children's rest needs are also well managed, to ensure they can sleep undisturbed, in safety and comfort.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies and children are well nourished. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's dietary needs and routines are met. She offers healthy snacks and meals. For example, babies and children enjoy a snack of humus, pieces of cucumber or vegetables, crackers and slices of fruit. Babies and toddlers socialise at meal times as they all sit together. Their independent eating is promoted because food portions are manageable and invitingly presented, and regular drinks of water or diluted juice are provided in easy to handle beakers and cups. Babies' weaning arrangements are agreed with parents. Children enjoy cooking activities, such as making and decorating biscuits. Risks of cross-contamination are minimised because food preparation and storage areas are clean and tidy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a secure and safe environment. Good use is made of the childminder's supervision, her encouragement of children's safe behaviour and her explanations about potential hazards. These help children to understand about risks and the possible consequences of their actions on someone else's safety, such as what may happen if they throw sand. Children use age-appropriate well-maintained toys and equipment. For example, their comfort and independence is promoted because the childminder has a good selection of child-size furniture, including different types of seats and chairs. Effective use is made of safety equipment, such

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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 as gates, cupboard locks and socket covers, and of risk assessments in order to reduce the risks of harm to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder is well prepared for managing different emergency situations. She has clear procedures covering evacuations of the premises or what to do if a child is lost or not collected at the end of the day. She has identified suitable people to provide back up if she is suddenly unable to care for children due to unforeseen circumstances. All these arrangements are carefully explained as part of her policies given to parents. Working smoke alarms and a fire blanket are located on the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from regular outings, for example, to nearby parks. Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure children's safety on local walks, but their well-being is potentially compromised because parents have not been asked to provide written permission for their child to be transported in a vehicle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because of the childminder's understanding of child protection procedures. Her child protection policy clearly outlines her role and responsibilities to parents. Attendance on recent safeguarding children training sessions help the childminder to keep up-to-date with procedures, to enable her to take prompt appropriate action if she has concerns about a child. Other procedures, such as robust collection arrangements, help to minimise the risk of inappropriate access to children and the provision for recording any accidents, existing injuries or incidents contributes to the childminder's monitoring of children's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Babies and children enjoy being with the childminder. They are settled, busy and contented, appreciating the good selection of toys, games, books and equipment which cater for their varying ages, needs and interests. Home-based activities are supplemented with attendance at local toddler groups and opportunities for walks and visits to nearby parks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All aspects of babies' and children's learning and development are supported by the childminder. Children love exploring different materials. Playing with sand is popular and children use this imaginatively as part of their role play as well as enjoying investigating the differences between wet and dry sand and using it to make different shapes and structures. A good selection of crayons and felt tip pens promotes children's creative drawing and they confidently use paint, collage resources and recycled materials to make colourful pictures and models. For example, children have made their own height chart to measure the growth of the sunflowers they have planted in the childminder's garden and they are also making their own model sunflowers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning and communication is promoted in practical meaningful ways. Babies have a range of toys and equipment which encourage their exploration and increasing mobility. Babies and children appreciate a selection of fun musical instruments and enjoy listening to and looking at a variety of colourful books which often depict familiar scenes. Babies interact well with others and children become skilful communicators because the childminder has a warm rapport with each child. She adeptly fosters children's speech and language through her conversations. The childminder's open ended questions promote children's thinking and reasoning, and her age-appropriate explanations support their understanding and encourage their interest further.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well looked after as their individual needs are understood and met well by the childminder as a result of her regular exchanges of information with parents. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child development and is confident to discuss any concerns about a child's progress or to agree any special care arrangements to ensure children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities have appropriate support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel valued and have positive self-esteem because the childminder is interested in them, understands their characteristics and encourages their choices and ideas. Children's efforts and achievements are acknowledged and praised. Children behave well because she promotes their good behaviour in practical ways during play and routines, helping them to take turns, share, and be kind and helpful towards each other. Children's positive attitudes are encouraged during discussions and in particular by looking at books and listening to stories depicting different aspects of diversity as well as scenarios which are familiar to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is promoted as a result of the childminder's effective partnership with parents. From the outset parents are well informed about her provision because they are encouraged to meet her and are given a helpful prospectus and a comprehensive set of policies explaining how her childminding is managed and organised. Thereafter, children are safeguarded as parents are given regular feedback about their child's activities and routines. The childminder's clearly worded complaints policy is given to parents to ensure they understand their rights, and the process for passing on any concerns either to her or to Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are safeguarded because the childminder makes sure parents are aware of her and her husband's suitability, of her qualifications, training and experience and her arrangements for the day to day running of her childminding. For example, her certificate of registration is on display, parents have a full set of policies and her prospectus, and details are readily available about her experience and qualifications. Children benefit because the childminder regularly attends training courses which help her to further promote their care and play and to prepare for forthcoming changes in early years' provision.

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Organisation

Children's overall care is generally supported by the childminder's effective documentation, including the maintenance of up-to-date, clear attendance records. The childminder has all relevant details about children and their parents. However, although written contracts are maintained, parents' wishes are not fully reflected because some omissions to obtaining their written consents potentially compromises aspects of children's health and safety.

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Organisation

Babies and children are contented and settled because the childminder ensures sessions and routines run smoothly and that they take part in varied, well-resourced and unhurried activities. Each child benefits from having her individual attention and support. Overall children's needs are met.

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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): • obtain parents' written permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice and treatment for their child • obtain parents' written permission to their child being transported in a vehicle.

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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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