Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY366905 Unique Reference Number 14 April 2008 Inspection date Lindsay Hare 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 registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 11 and six in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The whole ground floor 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding five children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines. For example, they use their own individual hand towels for drying their hands and observe the pictorial notices in the bathroom reminding them to wash their hands. The childminder has

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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 completed a first aid course and has parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment which means that children can receive appropriate care in the event of an accident. There is a written sickness policy but this lacks details about exclusion of some sickness which may mean that the spread of infection is not always prevented.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children experience a wide range of activities that develop their physical skills. They walk to and from the local school as well as going on nature trails in the woods. They develop their climbing and balancing skills as they use large apparatus in the park and the trampoline in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables. They are able to choose some foods they eat from a pictorial list and help to prepare their own lunch, spreading butter and cutting up their sausage. Children learn about healthy eating practices through their project work with the childminder. For example, they have made pictures depicting healthy foods and foods that they can have occasionally as a treat. The childminder reinforces this by reading them a story about healthy eating and foods from different countries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious, well-organised environment, where there are defined areas for rest, play and eating. This allows them to move around and play safely. Children have safe and easy access to a wide range of toys and resources that are stimulating and suitable for children's different stages of development. Security is good ensuring that children are unable to leave the premises without a suitable adult. Regular risk assessments of the areas used and close supervision means that children are safe from potential hazards both indoors and outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder helps children to learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, children follow rules such as holding hands and always using crossings to cross roads when out walking. Children are becoming aware of the danger of traffic through stories and discussions with the childminder. They have a good understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of a fire because these are regularly practised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect as the childminder ensures that they are never left alone with anyone who is not vetted. The childminder understands her role in child protection and has a clear understanding of the correct procedure to follow if she has any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle extremely well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. The childminder develops very good relationships with the children and is very aware of their individual needs. For example, she takes a keen interest in what they do at nursery and at the weekends and encourages them to talk about their experiences and often plans her activities to contribute to these.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy an extensive range of activities, which encourage their creativity and imagination, such as singing songs and painting eggs for Easter. Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing very good independence skills as they spread butter,

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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 cut sausages and cut their sandwiches into different shapes. Their communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder as they enthusiastically discuss their activities. For example, making plate pictures of healthy foods and then being read a story about what different people around the world like to eat. Children make positive relationships and play exceptionally well together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilful in encouraging children to make very good progress in all areas of development. For example, they participate in a wide range of activities and themes which extend their knowledge, such as growing sunflowers, making healthy food pictures and learning about days of the week and the weather. Children enjoy nature trails when out walking in the woods. They are able to demonstrate what they know as the childminder uses skilful questioning to make them think. The childminder finds out about the children's skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to help children to fulfil their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the flexible and supportive partnership the childminder has with parents. Parents are able to provide appropriate and relevant information about their child which helps to ensure that children receive individual care and attention. Parents receive detailed information about the provision and what the childminder has to offer. They are given daily verbal feedback about their child's day. This helps provide children with consistent care between the childminder's house and home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages all children to participate in the activities provided. This ensures that they have equal opportunities to maximise their enjoyment and potential. Children have access to a broad range of resources reflecting positive images of all aspects of society, which means that they learn to acknowledge and accept differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. The childminder has a positive, clear and consistent approach to behaviour management, which means children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children play happily together in the childminder's care, as they practise sharing and taking turns. The childminder uses her effective skills to encourage and help them develop their relationships with one another and become aware of their own needs and the needs of others. For example, one child was reminded to wait their turn and respect the other child's privacy when using the bathroom.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well-organised environment, where they receive good adult support from the childminder to help them feel secure and confident. Excellent written procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice, although some lack minor details. This ensures children's needs are met and all relevant information is shared with parents. A good two-way flow of information ensures continuity of care.

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Organisation

The childminder attends training whenever she can to update her knowledge of childcare issues as well as first aid. This enables her to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. The childminder understands her role and responsibility. She has devised a feedback questionnaire for parents to enable her to monitor and improve her practice and the quality of care and education she offers to the children.

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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 All the relevant documentation is in place and is reviewed regularly to ensure that children's welfare is promoted. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • include more detail on sickness policy • include details on the lost and uncollected child policies.

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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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