Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360770 Unique Reference Number 13 May 2008 Inspection date Ann Keen 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 as been registered since 2007. She is registered to care for four children under the age of eight years. Of these, two children may be under the age of five years. she is currently minding two children. Members of the household include the childminder, her husband and their two young children. All ground floor rooms are used for childminding purposes. These include the lounge, kitchen and dining area. Sleep and toilet facilities are provided upstairs. There is a fully enclosed rear garden which is used for outdoor play. The house is situated within walking distance of local amenities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is actively promoted because effective measures are in place to prevent the spread of infection, for example, all areas of the home are clean and food is handled safely. Clear policies are in place to guide practice if children are ill or infectious promoting children’s health well. The childminder has a current first aid certificate which helps to ensure she is well equipped to act in the event of an emergency. The childminder takes good precautions to

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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 ensure medication is properly administered and recorded, if needed. Any minor accidents to children are dealt with appropriately and shared with parents to ensure all accidents are effectively recorded, providing continuity of care. The childminder obtains written consents to ensure that children's needs can be met in the case of an emergency promoting children's welfare effectively. She offers children balanced meals and snacks such as roast chicken, fish pie and broccoli. At lunch time they may have sandwiches, yoghurt and fruit, for example.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that the children use the garden regularly. They benefit from a routine which incorporates extensive opportunities for physical exercise and fresh air. Children enjoy the garden with a good variety of resources available, such as trikes, climbing frames and ride-on toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a home that is kept secure, the garden is fenced and gates are securely locked so children cannot exit unaccompanied. There are clear procedures for the collection of children to ensure their safety. The childminder has an adequate awareness of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse. She knows the correct procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child. This helps contribute to the safeguarding of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, the childminder assesses the potential risks to children in her home effectively. As a result, children move freely and play safely both indoors and outdoors. The children have access to a good range of age-appropriate toys that are kept clean and in a good state of repair. The childminder has smoke alarms in place as an early warning system to help keep children safe in the event of a fire. The kitchen is made safe because cupboards are inaccessible to children with safety locks so cleaning fluids, for example, are locked away and sharp knives are stored out of reach. The childminder has good procedures for outings that help keep children safe. She has the necessary documentation in place to take children in her car.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and confident in the childminder’s care and they enjoy their time in the homely atmosphere. They make their own choices from a wide variety of activities and resources, successfully helping to develop their independence. The childminder creates a child-friendly room where their toys are easily accessible and the garden is equally attractive to children so they want to be involved. The childminder is warm, caring and affectionate. She builds positive relationships with the children and helps promote their development as they play. Children gain confidence through the childminder's support and involvement and they respond positively to her as she suggests ideas for alternative resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They have good opportunities to develop social skills and are successfully learning to share toys and take turns. The childminder is developing her skills and knowledge as a childminder. She is still developing her skills in systematically planning for children’s progress and developing activities in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’, a framework for children in the earliest years. The children enjoy playing outside in the garden and have fun with the various play equipment the childminder provides. Younger children have the opportunity to rest or sleep as needed. Children enjoy quieter times when they cuddle up to the childminder to drink their milk.

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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 satisfactory. Children are respected and valued and they are all treated with individual concern. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she has full information about their individual needs and she has a clear understanding of their stages of development. Children respond with smiles to the positive meaningful praise given to them. They listen to the childminder and are learning to understand how to behave towards others, by saying sorry and hugging others as an apology. Children are generally well behaved and they are encouraged to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She respects the wishes of parents and follows children’s home routines. Children have access to a basic range of resources that show positive images of culture, gender and disability. However, the range is not extensive so limits the opportunities to extend children's awareness of positive differences in society. Although the childminder does not mind children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities at the moment, she is very positive about supporting children who need additional support. The childminder has a helpful file containing her policies and procedures that she uses with new parents so that they are fully aware of her practices. She keeps them informed about their child’s progress through daily verbal feedback and the use of care diaries.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are well supervised and supported so they are safe in the childminder’s care. She makes good use of her home to organise suitable play opportunities for children and interacts well with children providing comfort and support. She has attended the required courses in childminding practice and first aid training and she is keen to improve her practices and the care she offers children by attending further courses. The required documentation is in place and well maintained to ensure children’s health and safety is well promoted.

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Organisation

The childminder is new to childminding and is still developing her knowledge of the National Standards and an awareness of the requirements. She did not inform Ofsted immediately that her own child started school and her intention to mind an extra child. She has now satisfactorily changed the conditions of her registration certificate promoting children’s well-being adequately. She maintains a register of attendance which records the children’s times of arrival and departure satisfactorily promoting children’s well-being and safety.

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Organisation

People living at the premises have completed appropriate vetting procedures ensuring children are safeguarded. She intends to up date her knowledge of child protection to ensure children are safeguarded against harm. Overall children’s needs are met.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 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): • develop knowledge of the National Standards with particular reference to notifying Ofsted of significant changes to circumstances and any other significant event • update knowledge of safeguarding children procedures • ensure anti-discriminatory practice is actively promoted • plan activities to support children's development in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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