Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364138 Unique Reference Number 16 July 2008 Inspection date Elenora Griffin 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 satisfactory. 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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 14, in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding one child under one year of age. The childminder takes children on walks into the local area. The family have a pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminders Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment. They receive appropriate care and attention if they have an accident or become ill. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and there is a fully-stocked first aid box readily available. Children

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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 are protected from cross-infection through the childminder's sick child policy that is shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children benefit from continuity of care because they have their individual care routines met. The childminder ensures that children have opportunities to take naps and receive the food and drinks brought from home according to their usual daily routines. Sensitive care is provided for children as they are fed and have their nappies changed. This is because the childminder interacts with children throughout these activities, talking to them and helping them to enjoy the experience.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children enjoy having sufficient space in which they can crawl and move around, and benefit from ample furniture being available around the room so that they can start to pull themselves up on as they being to walk. Children enjoy daily trips outside in the fresh air as they go on long walks in pushchairs with the childminder, although these seldom provide young children with opportunities to be active whilst outside.

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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 safe and secure environment. The childminder has completed risk assessments of her home and taken action to minimise potential risks to children. Children are protected from hazards associated with the kitchen and stairs with the use of child safety gates and through being securely harnessed when in the kitchen. Children are safeguarded from harm and neglect because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has developed clear child protection procedures and these are shared with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy having sufficient space in which to move about as they play with the toys and play materials that are placed out in the centre of the room for them. These comprise of some books, building blocks, soft toys, shakers, stacking rings and shape sorters. However, the range of toys and play materials available that support children's learning and development are limited. In particular, there are no resources for children to use that promote their understanding of diversity. Children benefit from access to a satisfactory range of equipment that supports their care needs such as a cot, booster seats, pushchairs and car seats.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. The childminder has a lovely rapport with children and actively plays with them at their level, encouraging them in their chosen activity. Young children's developing communication and language skills are well supported by the childminder who gives her full attention when children communicate, and they respond to her babbling and making sounds. Children are encouraged to make observations about the world around them as the childminder takes children on daily walks in pushchairs around the local area. Towards the end of the day time is spent watching age-appropriate television programmes such as Bob the Builder. For most of the day however, children do enjoy exploring the sufficient range of toys and play materials that are set out in the room for them. They laugh and have fun making sounds as they play with shakers, bang objects together and push buttons

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

on toys to make sounds. The childminder gets to know children well and encourages their interest in music through playing music on the radio. However, the range of planned activities, experiences and play opportunities provided that support children's next steps in learning and

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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 development are limited. The childminder has started to think about outings that children will enjoy going on during the summer. She has started to make observations of what children can do, although these are not currently used to identify children's next steps in learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy continuity of care because parents and the childminder share information effectively on a daily basis. In addition to daily chats the childminder completes daily diaries for children so that parents are well informed about their child's day. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment towards working in partnership with parents and carers. The childminder works with parents to help children through the different stages of weaning, and the childminder agrees behaviour management strategies with parents when children first start. Children are well behaved and they respond well to the positive and calm approach of the childminder. Although not fully implemented the childminder has developed positive policies and procedures for promoting equal opportunities and for supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children have their needs appropriately meet because the childminder ensures that all relevant information is recorded and children's individual routines are met. The childminder has developed detailed policies and procedures to promote outcomes for children, although these have not been fully implemented. As a result, the childminder does not provide all of the activities and resources for children that are outlined in her care, learning and play and equal opportunities, policies and procedures. Children are well supervised by the childminder who understands the importance of not leaving children unattended with unvetted visitors. Children enjoy the attentiveness of the childminder throughout the day.

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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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Complaints 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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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 satisfactory. 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): • continue to develop the range of toys and play materials available for indoor and outdoor play that support children's learning and development, in particular those that promote children's understanding of diversity • continue to develop planning in order to provide children with a broad range of activities, experiences and play opportunities that support their next steps in development.

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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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