Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY367557 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2008 Inspection date Rachel Wyatt Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with two teenage children in Droitwich. The whole of the ground floor and a first floor bathroom of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently looking after three children aged under five years. The childminder walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. Children go on local walks, and outings including attending local parent and toddler activities. The family has a rabbit and some tropical fish.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Support is available for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has a National Vocational Qualification Level 2 in Play work.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after in welcoming, clean and comfortable surroundings, which include the childminder's well-organised kitchen and her appropriate arrangements for safe food preparation and storage. Toilet training and the importance of good hand washing are introduced in a relaxed way. As a result children soon want to manage personal care routines themselves, aided by the childminder's encouragement and discreet support.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is broadly supported by the childminder's procedures. She ensures she has all relevant information to promote children's care, health and well-being. If children have an accident, require medication or become unwell, they have prompt appropriate treatment, suitable records are kept and parents are kept well informed. The childminder has a relevant up to date first aid qualification and ready access to suitable first aid materials both at her home and when she takes children out. However, children's well-being is not fully supported in a medical emergency as the childminder has not obtained parents' consents to her seeking advice or treatment in such circumstances.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an awareness of the value of a healthy lifestyle. They are encouraged to eat healthily and to have regular drinks. The childminder provides children with a good balance of home-cooked meals, fruit snacks and the occasional treat. Children help with cooking and food preparation and she makes sure their dietary needs and preferences are effectively accommodated. However, although this has now ceased, the childminder's occasional smoking outside whilst children are present has potentially compromised their well-being. In other respects she very effectively promotes their physical well-being. Children have regular, worthwhile opportunities to be active. They take part in enjoyable and often challenging physical play, for example, in the garden or on walks and outings. Children confidently handle wheeled toys, balance and climb well and throw and catch accurately. The childminder's enthusiastic

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

involvement in their physical play makes it fun for everyone.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in an inviting, safe and secure environment. The childminder ensures that her premises, garden and venues visited by herself and minded children are free from hazards. Effective use is made of the childminder's informal checks and of safety equipment to minimise risks to children. They are encouraged to contribute to their own safety, for example, by using toys and equipment such as the trampoline correctly. The toys, furniture and equipment children use are well maintained, of good quality and age-appropriate. For instance, child-size furniture promotes their confidence and independence, whilst children's choice is encouraged by the wide selection of toys made available to them.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is supported by the childminder's effective emergency arrangements. Her informal plan includes preparing children for an emergency evacuation from the premises, plus her contingency arrangements for their care in the event of anything unforeseen happening to her. Children safely enjoy regular worthwhile walks and outings. The childminder ensures venues are suitable and she teaches them basic road safety rules.

p.3

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 as the childminder keeps up to date with child protection procedures. Both she and her assistant have attended recent relevant training courses. Her procedures promote the welfare of children such as agreeing collection arrangements with parents and encouraging them to advise her of any instances which can affect children's well-being or behaviour.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good variety of activities, toys and games, including regular walks and worthwhile local outings which in particular promote their physical skills and socialising. Children are busy, interested and absorbed because the childminder knows what each child likes to do and consistently encourages their choices, ideas and free play. Her active, enthusiastic involvement in children's play really helps them to settle and to get the most out of activities. Throughout the day, children and the childminder chat easily about what they are doing, and she really helps children's vocabulary and understanding through her age-appropriate explanations and good questions.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A strong focus on physical play means that children are skilful, move confidently and are well coordinated. They competently fix puzzle and construction toy pieces together, thread different items and manipulate dough. They are imaginative, for example, incorporating role play into physical games. They concentrate well during small world play and like dressing up. Children enjoy painting, collage and craft activities, appreciating a good range of resources.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's decision making and independence are fostered in practical ways so they readily decide what they want to play with or what they would like to eat at lunchtime. They are encouraged to persevere both during play, becoming adept at puzzles and games, or in seeing to aspects of their personal care. As a result young children comfortably manage putting on shoes and getting dressed.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a strong sense of belonging and develop positive self-esteem as the childminder very much promotes their choice and ensures activities are child-led. Their efforts and good behaviour are acknowledged and praised, and children are encouraged to have good relationships with each other. During play and routines they share, take turns and are often kind and helpful. Children's awareness of different aspects of diversity are satisfactorily promoted through playing with toys and resources depicting positive images of race and culture. Should children misbehave or act unkindly, the childminder carefully explains in a way they will understand why their words or actions are hurtful or inappropriate.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well cared for as the childminder obtains relevant information from their parents and has clear agreements with them. She knows each child well and is confident to share any concerns about a child's development or well-being with parents and to identify appropriate sources of advice or support. Children benefit as the childminder builds generally positive relationships with parents and carers. During settling-in visits the childminder explains how she operates and makes sure key information regarding her registration, suitability, training and experience are available for parents to see. Thereafter, parents have regular feedback about their children's activities and routines. Children are safeguarded, should parents have any

p.4

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 concerns about the provision, because the childminder explains what to do if they have a complaint and the Ofsted parents' poster is displayed.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are safeguarded as the childminder ensures all members of the household have required checks and that parents know about her conditions of registration. Children's care, learning and development is supported because the childminder keeps up to date with good practice through attending relevant training courses, and she encourages her assistant to attend these as well. Children are contented and settled because they are looked after in a welcoming family home. They have a great selection of toys to choose from and enjoy fun, unhurried sessions, benefiting from the childminder's enthusiastic involvement and her commitment to promoting child-initiated play.

p.5

Organisation

Children's care and well-being is supported by the childminder's documentation. She has all required information on children and their families. Up to date record keeping helps to keep parents well informed of any matters relating to their children's health and welfare, and appropriate details are kept of children's hours of attendance. Documents are securely stored and retained for required periods. Overall children's needs are met.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 seeking emergency medical advice and treatment • improve arrangements to ensure smoking does not take place in the presence of minded children.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6