Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY366823 Unique Reference Number 15 July 2008 Inspection date Jo Rowley 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 2008. She lives with her husband, one adult child and one younger child aged six years in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house and one bedroom upstairs is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family has two cats and a dog.

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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 caring for five children under five, on different days and each on a part-time basis. She walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children from and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in clean home. They are beginning to learn about being healthy and their health is well promoted through effective hygiene procedures. For example, the children wash their hands before and after meals using individual hand cloths and towels, therefore, avoiding

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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 cross- infection. The children's dietary needs are met as the childminder discusses each child's individual requirements with parents and keeps a record of these, ensuring that any special diets are observed. Children are offered a range of nutritious food which includes a hot lunch. They have a variety of meals including salmon, fresh meat, pasta and vegetables, with fresh fruit for desert. Therefore, their growth and development is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and first aid boxes are replenished as necessary. Accident records are completed in full and have the required signatures, protecting children should an accident occur. However, some medical records are not completed in full with parental signatures missing for some records. This potentially affects children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a wide range of physical activities, contributing to the promotion of their good health. They are offered opportunities for outdoor exercise such as playing on bikes and trikes in the garden, walking in and around the surrounding areas including woodland walks and they visit the local park areas where they can use static equipment whilst being carefully supervised. This promotes their confidence and enables them to develop control of their bodies and improve their skills in these areas. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder uses her experience of child development to adapt these to a suitable level. For example, when children use the outdoor equipment the childminder ensures that there are resources of different sizes to meet the differing needs of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. Their ongoing safety is generally prioritised as the childminder is aware of potential risks and takes appropriate steps to minimise these by completing daily risk assessments in her home. She has a written evacuation procedure which is displayed for parents and children to see and this is practised regularly. Resources are bright, colourful and stimulating. They are displayed in the dedicated playroom allowing children to make decisions for themselves when self-selecting resources. When walking with the children the childminder ensures that are safely secured in a pushchair or are holding her hands. However, although the childminder has permission from parents to take children on outings, to the farm for example, she does not have permission to transport children in a vehicle and this affects children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use safe, clean toys and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are appropriate for their ages and stages of ability and development. They are beginning to build up their knowledge about keeping themselves safe as the childminder regularly reminds them about not leaving toys on the floor in case somebody trips over them and gets hurt. The children's welfare is generally sound because the childminder has an effective knowledge of child protection procedures. She has attended some child protection training and is booked to attend advanced child protection training and has all relevant information and contact details in place. However, although she has a comprehensive written policy in place, it does not have regard to the Local Safeguarding Children Board and government summary documents. Therefore, concerns are not recorded appropriately and children's welfare is potentially affected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and spend their time purposefully. They are enthusiastic during their time with the childminder and happily self-select toys and play resources. The childminder

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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 has made a 'choosing book' for the children so that resources that are not stored in the play room are still accessible to the children. The children have a very good relationship with the childminder and she offers effective support during their play. For example, as children play with the treasure basket, that the childminder has made up of natural and man-made resources, she talks to them about the materials and encourages them to feel the different textures. The childminder shows genuine enthusiasm for the activities children participate in, helping to ensure that children are positively and happily engaged at all times. Children's independence is well promoted as they are encouraged to try things for themselves. For example, children, that are just learning to walk, are encouraged to push the dolls pram or the trolley of bricks

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

whilst being supported and their efforts are clearly praised by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a varied and stimulating range of activities including imaginative play, construction, art and craft activities and play dough. The childminder plans regular themes and involves the children fully. An example of this is the current theme 'the farm'. Children have recently enjoyed a trip to the local farm, they have been to the library to borrow animal books and they have access to the play farm and animals where they can recreate what they saw at the real farm. Children's overall development is well promoted as they are encouraged to explore and learn about their environment. For example, children participate in walks through the local woodland area where they can see the local wildlife, including some recently born foals, and watch them grow. The childminder has knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, she is dedicated to completing further training to develop her understanding in this area, in order to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provide a range of opportunities for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are able to feel valued and respected because the childminder ensures that she is aware of their individual needs, special requirements and beliefs, enabling her to meet these effectively. Children are always treated as individuals, they are encouraged to respect each other, be kind to one another and play together. An example of this is as children use a musical shape sorter. They are fully encouraged to share and wait for their turn. In the event of a child hurting another they are encouraged to give each other a hug, as way of apologising, taking in to consideration their age and stage of understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are consistently praised throughout their time with the childminder, she regularly says "well done", "you are so clever" and this helps to promote children's self-esteem and confidence. The children benefit from the way in which the childminder works in partnership with parents, ensuring that they are fully informed of their children's progress and activities through informative daily diaries which assist in keeping them up to date. Parents receive a comprehensive folder detailing all of the childminder's policies and procedures, enabling them to refer back to these if required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and they are learning about the house rules and boundaries which are consistently applied by the childminder. Children are encouraged to respect and appreciate other cultures and ways of life. They have access to a range of resources such as books, dressing up clothes and dolls, helping to increase their understanding of this area. Children also learn about different cultures and celebrations such as Chinese New Year and Diwali through art and craft activities which they are encouraged to participate 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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, children's needs are met. Resources are effectively organised and children are therefore able to determine their own play. The individual needs of children are met as the childminder ensures that she has all the necessary information about minded children and that she clearly understands this. Their emotional and physical development is well promoted through the childminder's effective organisation of her daily work. She makes sure that there is time to offer children a wide range of activities and regular outside play as well as meeting her commitments in terms of children having meals and rest times.

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Organisation

The children's overall welfare is well promoted as the childminder has ensured that she has relevant paperwork in place including her own extensive range of written policies and procedures, which are reviewed regularly and shared with parents. The daily register is completed in full, showing actual times of attendance and the childminders certificate is displayed, ensuring that parents can see her conditions of registration at all times. The childminder has completed all required training and vetting procedures as well as additional training, therefore, children's well-being is promoted.

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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): • ensure that medical records include parental signatures • ensure that the child protection policy is written in line with current legislation • ensure that permission is in place for transporting children in a vehicle.

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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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