Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356650 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2008 Inspection date Ros Church 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. She lives with her husband and young son in Stamford, Lincolnshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with sleep and toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear 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 two children under five years part-time, and one child over five years after school. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained home where clear health and hygiene routines are followed. This helps to promote and protect children's health and well-being. For example, the childminder uses good practices to minimise the risk of cross-infection when changing children's nappies as she wears disposable gloves, and cleans the changing mat with antibacterial wipes after each use. Children learn about personal hygiene and the importance

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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 of washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before meals. Clear procedures are in place regarding the care and attendance of sick children; this is shared with the parents. A current first aid certificate is maintained to ensure children are appropriately cared for if they become ill or have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Daily routines incorporate time for physical activity and fresh air, either in the garden or at local facilities such as the park. Opportunities are provided for children to develop their co-ordination and control during running activities and ball games. Indoors children join in with activities such as dancing and action rhymes. The childminder works well with the parents to ensure children's daily routines and dietary requirements are met. Babies receive high levels of close contact when taking bottle feeds, benefiting from a secure and close environment. Children are able to access drinks as they require from their individual drinking beakers.

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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 secure setting where space is used effectively to meet their needs. The conservatory and lounge are used well to enable children to play, rest and eat in comfort. Play equipment and resources are organised well within the conservatory, this enables children to be independent and make choices within their play. Careful supervision and monitoring ensures toys are appropriate for the ages of the children using them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely within the home environment as the childminder effectively minimises risks. She provides good levels of supervision, ensuring their continued safety. Young children and babies are able to move freely and safely as they play and explore their environment. All fire detection and prevention equipment is in place, these are tested regularly and the fire evacuation procedure is practised. Children begin to understand how to keep themselves safe, for example, they learn about road safety on outings. Children are protected and their welfare safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities towards child protection. She keeps up to date with any changes in childcare through attending courses such as the 'Safeguarding Children' course, this helps her to extend her knowledge and understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settle well into the childminder's care. The childminder plans and provides a good range of activities which take account of children's interests, individual needs and development. She promotes the sensory development of young children through a good range of activities; these include play dough, finger painting, sand and water. A wide variety of toys and equipment are available for children to freely choose as they require such as a range of construction toys, puzzles, small world play, games and books. However, there are fewer resources available to encourage children's imagination and role play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have warm, trusting relationships with the childminder. Babies benefit from individual attention, cuddles and activities designed to promote their individual developmental needs and increasing mobility. Children's language skills develop as the childminder constantly interacts with them, talking to children and listening for their responses. Babies and young children enjoy looking at books with the childminder, where they point to familiar pictures and learn to turn the pages. They learn to join in with familiar songs and action rhymes.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder understands their differing needs; she respects and values them as individuals. Their individual needs are effectively met through the childminder gathering clear information from the parents. For example, a detailed 'All about me record' is completed by the parents and identifies information such as children's diet, daily routine, favourite toys and family celebrations. Children are settled and relate well to the childminder as she spends time getting to know each child well. She ensures all children are included and encourages the use of sign language to ensure all children are able to communicate with one another. The childminder has a clear understanding of procedures to follow when caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of effective behaviour management strategies which are appropriate to the differing ages and stages of development of the child. Their self-esteem is promoted through the use of praise and encouragement. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through a wide range of toys and activities which promote positive images of similarities and differences in society. Children benefit because the childminder has formed a good partnership with parents, which contributes to their well-being. The childminder provides parents with good information about her setting; this includes a comprehensive portfolio and a parent's pack which includes her childminding policies and procedures. The childminder keeps parents informed of their child's care and activities through daily chats and daily diaries, this helps to ensure consistency in children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very settled and happy in the warm and welcoming environment. Their care is enhanced by the childminder's ability to organise her home and herself effectively. For example, space and resources are well organised to create a stimulating environment and the childminder has completed all the required training courses, which helps her to provide a good standard of care. Children play mainly in the lounge and conservatory, where toys and resources are well organised to enable children to be independent and make choices within their play. All the required records are in place, good information is obtained from parents and recorded to ensure children's individual routines, care and development needs are met. Other documentation such as the childminder's portfolio is of a high standard and clearly details her practices, policies and procedures. Documentation and records are stored securely and confidentiality is maintained.

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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 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): • develop further the toys and resources to promote children's play and learning with regards to role play and imagination.

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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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