Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355525 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2008 Inspection date Christine Anne Rice 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 lives with her husband, and family aged 12, nine and seven years. The family has a pet dog. They live in a detached property with an enclosed rear garden, in a village near Bedale. Most rooms are used for childminding purposes. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years and is able to collect children from local schools and pre-schools. There are ten children on roll, all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children follow established hygiene practices as they automatically wash their hands after going to the toilet, before eating and after playing outside. They enjoy stroking the family's pet dog, which the childminder ensures is regularly wormed and de-flea so as not to pose a health threat to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

If the children have any minor injuries, the childminder is well prepared, as she has an up to date first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid kit in the kitchen, plus a portable one for

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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 outings. The childminder prevents cross infection by implementing her sick children policy, which includes exclusion periods for infectious illnesses. She has an accident book for the proper recording of any accidents, plus medication records to protect the children's health further.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise as they usually walk to and from school and playgroup. In addition, they enjoy physical play in the garden and the park. The childminder provides snacks for the children. These consist of healthy options such as fruit, as well as some crisps and biscuits. Children stay refreshed as they drink juice at meal times, though drinking water is not readily accessible to the children.

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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 warm and welcoming environment. They develop independence as they help themselves to a suitable range of toys, including bricks, baby walkers, soft toys, dressing up clothes and role play activities. The toys are easily accessible to the children as they are stored mainly in the lounge and at child-height. Children are able to relax and enjoy a quiet story as there are ample comfortable settees in the lounge. Age-appropriate equipment, such as a double buggy and booster seat, is available and meets the needs of all the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of potential hazards and takes some positive steps to promote safety. For example, there are safety devices on the cupboard doors in the kitchen to prevent children accessing dangerous substances, such as cleaning materials. Furthermore, an alarm on the front door beeps to alert the childminder of anyone entering or leaving the premises and the children wear helmets whilst riding their bikes or using their skateboards. However, not all sockets are covered and although the garden is enclosed with a sturdy fence, the side gate is not always securely closed. The children learn to contribute to their own safety as they practise the fire escape plan every month.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's well-being is protected because the childminder understands about keeping children safe through her knowledge of issues relating to child protection. She has completed a relevant training course and has a written policy, containing details of local contacts and procedures, which she shares with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is kind and attentive to the children. She interacts well with them, cuddling them and giving them lots of individual attention, comforting babies as they go to sleep, which helps them to settle and feel emotionally secure. Children are encouraged to become skilful communicators, as the childminder consistently talks to them, explaining what she is doing, which encourages them to link words with actions. The children smile as they play 'peek-a-boo' with the childminder, who maintains good eye contact, enabling them to see her facial expressions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures that there are appropriate resources for all ages in order to keep the children stimulated. For example, she sits down on the floor with the babies and finds some bricks, which she stacks up and then knocks down. The children watch with interest and then copy the childminder, piling one brick on top of another. Children gain in self-esteem as the

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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 childminder praises their accomplishments, saying 'well done' when they build a tower. There are good opportunities for the children to make decisions and develop independence. After school, for instance, the children decide what snacks they would like, before selecting their favoured activities, such as creative art, or various games. In summer, they particularly enjoy outdoor play, such as rounders or using the trampoline in the garden. In the winter, the childminder provides 'film nights' when the children enjoy watching a DVD and sharing popcorn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about the wider world as the childminder talks to them about the birds they can hear as they walk to playgroup. During the walk, they develop number skills as they count the number of cars they see parked on the driveways. The children enjoy lots of outings to places of interest, such as farms, soft play centres and waterfalls, plus many walks and picnics. Trips to local toddler and childminder groups enable children to enjoy social interaction and make positive relationships with their peers. Children benefit as the childminder implements her recent training in the new Early Years Foundation Stage, by noting down their progress in individual diaries. In addition, she plans activities, which are flexible in response to their interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle well as the childminder tailors their care according to their individual needs. The children feel valued and secure because the childminder pays particular attention to their comforters and routines. Children develop an awareness of the diversity of the world in which they live by the use of different play materials, such as toys and books, as well as by the celebration of festivals such as Chinese New Year. They are encouraged to make a positive contribution as they are involved with maypole dancing and junior singing competitions, which the childminder organises to raise money for worthy causes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is receptive to the idea of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. She recognises the importance of considering the needs of the children she is already minding to ensure that all the children's needs are well met. Having some relevant experience, she is happy to work with parents and other professionals. Children learn appropriate boundaries and good behaviour through the childminder's consistent approach and child-friendly explanations as to why certain behaviour is not acceptable. The childminder manages the children's behaviour positively and according to the children's level of understanding. For instance, she uses distraction techniques for younger children and a few minutes time out for older children. The childminder acts as a constructive role model and reinforces good behaviour with the use of praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents develop trusting relationships with the childminder, starting with a good exchange of information at the outset, when parents receive a copy of the childminder's policies and information about her practice. The childminder makes good use of the parents' knowledge, which helps her to promote continuity of care, for example, with regard to sleep routines. Parents are kept informed through daily verbal exchanges and are welcome to contact the childminder at any time. Complimentary letters demonstrate that parents are very happy with the childminder's service.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is suitably trained as she has completed the introduction to childminding practice course and looking ahead, has already completed the new Early Years Foundation

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Stage training. Children benefit from the sound organisational skills of the childminder, since she makes best use of her time, flexibly accommodating the needs of school and nursery age children as well as younger children, including babies.

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Organisation

All the necessary policies and procedures are in place, which contribute to the safe and efficient management of the childminding service. The childminder maintains all the required documentation, such as the children's registration forms and register, which includes the children's times of attendance. However, the register is completed subsequently, rather than when the children arrive and depart. The childminder displays her certificate of registration prominently for parents to view and has set up appropriate recording systems for accidents and complaints, in the interests of protecting the children. Required adult-child ratios are met, which ensures that children are well-supported.

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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

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

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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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): • ensure that fresh drinking water is available to children at all times • ensure the premises are secure and all electric sockets in areas accessible to children are fitted with socket covers • ensure that the record of attendance is kept up to date on a daily basis.

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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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