Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341055 Unique Reference Number 29 April 2008 Inspection date Ann Coggin 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 has been registered since October 2006. She lives with her husband and four children aged 10, eight, five and 10 months in the Crooksbarn area of Norton. The whole ground floor and upstairs bathroom and double front and back bedrooms of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family pets are a dog and a chinchilla.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and two children before and after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 warm, clean home which contributes to their good health and sense of security. The childminder has good systems in place to fully promote the children's health

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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 needs, for example, appropriate documentation for the recording of accidents, administration of medication and the exclusion of sick children. The childminder has a current first aid certificate to ensure they are very well taken care of if they have an accident. Children are beginning to develop self-care skills as a result of the childminder setting a good example and teaching them the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines. For example, kitchen roll and liquid soap is available for hand washing and the childminder lets the children see her washing her hands before preparing snacks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy worthwhile daily physical activity and benefit positively from being in the fresh air. They are able to play outdoors with a range of equipment and have walks to the village duck pond. Visits to parks, toddler groups and soft play areas afford them opportunities to develop their coordination and physical skills. Children are able to rest according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision of healthy, nutritionally balanced snacks and meals ensures children are well nourished. They enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables daily and are encouraged to try new foods. Children are aware of the benefits of a good diet, for example, they know that eating fruit and vegetables helps you grow big and strong. Children are able to access cold fresh drinking water independently from the fridge dispenser, sugar-free juice is also available as an alternative. Children's individual dietary requirements are well catered for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a safe, homely child-friendly environment that is welcoming and equipped with all necessary safety features to protect children, such as socket covers and safety gates. As a result children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The main entrance is secure ensuring children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. Children learn to keep themselves safe both indoors and when on outings; they know not to run indoors and that they must sit in appropriate seating in the car and wear their seat belts. Monthly emergency evacuation drills are practised to promote children's awareness of the dangers of fire and what action they should take to protect themselves and a record is maintained. The childminder ensures children are well supervised at all times and her written procedures regarding who can collect the child, and lost and uncollected children, promote children's safety. However,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

written permission to take children on outings has not been obtained from parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can safely access a wide range of good quality toys and resources which are clean and well maintained. They are stored appropriately at child level allowing even the youngest to make choices for themselves and direct their own play. The childminder monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place to safeguard and fully promote children's welfare. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and she has a sound knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection issues. These are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house due to her friendly and welcoming approach. Routines have been established promoting children's sense of security. They are confident, happy and demonstrate good self-esteem due to the close and caring relationships they have established with her. Children benefit from good levels of adult support and encouragement and they are learning to socialise through regular attendance at toddler groups and Sure Start sessions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing with a varied range of resources and toys which the childminder provides for them. They spend time purposefully engaged in age appropriate activities, for example playing with the micro machines and doodling on the drawing board. Sand and water is always available to the children and regular access to painting, dough, baking and gluing contributes to developing their learning, promoting their creative and imaginative skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s development is enhanced by the good quality interaction provided by the childminder. They enjoy sitting close to her whilst they look at books and read stories together, such as 'Commotion in the Ocean'. She involves them in the story, asking what they think happens next. Children benefit from the childminder's interest in what they say and do. She consistently talks and listens to them, building their language skills, self-esteem and confidence. The childminder is beginning to further develop her practice by completing development records to assist future planning and next steps in children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home and participate in all activities as the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children settle well because the childminder works with parents to ensure she follows their home routines. Children are beginning to learn about the local community as they have walks around the area and enjoy walking to the village to feed the ducks. However, there are limited resources available to promote positive images of diversity to children. The childminder has a written equal opportunities and inclusion policy and has a clear understanding of the importance of working closely with parents to ensure that children's needs are fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is a good role model for children's behaviour. Children respond well to the reasonable and consistent boundaries that the childminder has in place, which helps them feel secure. She talks calmly and quietly to children at all times, listens to them and responds positively and affectionately towards them. Children receive plenty of her time and attention, which has a positive impact on their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the effective relationships that have been developed between the childminder and parents. Parents receive good written information about the setting and the policies and procedures. The childminder keeps parents fully informed about the children's care, health and safety through daily written diaries. This ensures that all children's individual needs are met effectively. Agreements are in place with parents and are reviewed at regular intervals.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease with the childminder and benefit from the well organised environment. This means children are confident and can initiate their own play and learning. Space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. The childminder organises her time well to meet the needs of all the children.

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Organisation

The childminder shows a willingness to improve her practice and demonstrates a very caring approach to her work. She has attended mandatory training, which includes first aid. She has also completed food hygiene, oral hygiene, safeguarding children and working in partnership with parents. She is currently attending training on the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

There are effective systems in place for the daily sharing of information with parents about the service and their child's activities and progress. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place to support good practice and to safeguard children's welfare. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Most of the required documentation is in place and is organised and stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality. The childminder's registration and insurance certificates are clearly displayed.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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): • obtain written permission from parents to take children on outings • develop the range of toys and resources to promote positive images of diversity.

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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 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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