Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338478 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2008 Inspection date Sharon Waterfall 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 and lives with her husband and three children in the Aldermans Green area of Coventry. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight years of age.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene as they are encouraged and supported in developing skills of self-reliance with regard to personal hygiene through the daily routines. They understand the need to wash germs away and the childminder provides good role-modelling. Written policies and practical procedures effectively promote children's health and are instrumental in protecting children from the spread of infection. There is an effective

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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 sickness policy and appropriate measures are taken when children are ill to ensure their health needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet and their attitude to healthy foods is developed as they enjoy a variety of nutritious meals, with fresh fruits and vegetables being provided daily. Meals comply with children's dietary requirements and their own preferences and the childminder works with parents to ensure this. Drinks are freely available to the children at all times ensuring that they are hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The garden is used whenever possible to provide children with fresh air and physical play activities. During inspection it was set out with a range of activities including books, footballs and fixed physical equipment. Photographs demonstrated that the children bring activities outside such as crafts in fine weather and enjoy being outside. The swings, tunnels, tents, paddling pools and use of climbing equipment in local parks ensure children are able to develop core muscle skills of balance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The ground floor of the home is used for care and is organised to provide children with a large area for free play, ensuring they can rest when required. The garden is used throughout the year when possible to ensure children benefit from the space to play actively. They are able to access resources from those selected by the childminder and from low storage around the play space. Children are supervised in their choice of activities and older children use age-appropriate activities whilst younger children rest or are occupied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is very aware of children's safety and has visually assessed the premises ensuring any hazards have been identified and minimised. Children become involved in emergency evacuations so that they are aware of keeping themselves safe. Her knowledge of child protection issues is appropriate such as identifying symptoms and correct reporting procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children benefit from the very easy and comfortable attitude of the childminder who actively encourages them to follow their own interests and access resources independently. On the day of inspection the garden had been set up with a wide range of interesting activities for the children. They use large physical equipment such as swings, tents and a sand pit with scoops, spades and trucks to extend play. The children interact very well together engaging each other in play, sharing resources and suggesting ideas. They play outside for an extended period of time happily enjoying looking at books, listening to stories and looking at photographs of themselves. These activities provide children with a sense of belonging and value as they recall and discuss previous trips.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The photographs in the scrap books and children's discussions evidence a wealth of learning opportunities open to the children. Creative skills are supported through different painting and craft activities such as collage, marble painting, icing cakes and making their own play dough. The outdoor area is used whenever possible with the children learning about the world around them as they care for plants, sweep leaves and play in a paddling pool.

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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 Visits within the local area extend children's learning and hands on experiences, as they choose books from the library, feed the ducks at the park and travel into towns and cities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Each child is valued and respected and individually they are provided with experiences that aid their personal development. Relationships between the children and childminder are extremely warm and secure, with the childminder knowing a lot about the children's different personalities and encouraging their interests. The children benefit from the childminder's direct support throughout their play and care needs, receiving very positive interaction at all times. She has an excellent awareness of inclusion for all children. They are learning to respect and understand a range of cultures through using a good range of resources and celebrating cultural festivals throughout the year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Strategies show an understanding of encouraging positive outcomes and the childminder manages a wide range of behaviours to promote development and welfare, such as, discussing with children why behaviour is not acceptable and offering alternative ways to affect the same outcome. House rules are used to remind children of expected behaviour and praise is used constantly to raise children's self-esteem and confidence. They are encouraged to be independent and value is given to their thoughts and ideas, with discussion and positive interaction taking place constantly. The children are well behaved and cooperate together in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. The childminder puts together a scrap book of the children's experiences with her and how they develop through their time in her care. This is given to parents and demonstrates the importance of shared information between the carers of the children, giving consistency through communication. On a daily basis the parents and childminder talk about the children ensuring up-to-date issues for children's immediate care are implemented to their benefit.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are cared for by a warm and caring childminder who puts their individual needs first. The space around the home is well organised to provide children with a balance of outdoor and indoor play throughout the year. They are encouraged to access toys and resources for themselves developing their ability to make decisions for themselves. The childminder has attended relevant childcare courses for registration purposes and has made begun to attend further training to enhance her knowledge.

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Organisation

The required documentation is in place and the childminder has begun to put together a range of policies to share with parents regarding the service she provides to improve consistency for children's care. However, the attendance records require more accurate details to ensure children's safety.

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Organisation

Overall the needs of the range of children attending are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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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): • ensure that children's attendance is accurately recorded.

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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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