Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY356524 Unique Reference Number 06 May 2008 Inspection date Sandra Elizabeth Williams Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in June 2007 and lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 11 and four years in Pennington near Ulverston. Children have access to the play room, the lounge and dining areas for activities. Sleeping and bathroom facilities are nearby. The garden is not used for outdoor play apart from the decked area.

p.2

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 five children from nine months to five years of age. She lives a short drive away from local schools, toddler groups and nurseries as well as shops and other amenities.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a professional child care qualification, experience in different settings and attends additional training.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and homely environment. Their health is promoted well and they are protected from becoming ill as the childminder displays good hygiene practices. She has effective systems in place to prevent the spread of infection and to take appropriate measures if children are ill. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene as they wash their hands after toileting and before meals. Children's health and safety needs are met and the childminder can respond to accidents appropriately. She holds a current first aid certificate and her first aid box is easily accessible.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular walks in the local countryside, however, they do not have the opportunity to develop their physical skills on a daily basis as they can not currently access the garden as it is unsafe and not enclosed. Work is being undertaken to create an area that can be used by the children. They are able to rest in the sleep room according to their individual needs. Children are encouraged to develop a healthy diet and are offered fresh fruit and nutritious snacks. The childminder helps the children to understand the importance of healthy eating and she has undertaken a food hygiene course. Special dietary requirements are identified prior to the commencement of care to ensure that parents' wishes are met and that children are not put at any risk from a reaction to food.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment. They have sufficient space for free movement and toys and play equipment are stored safely in the play room, where children can choose what they would like to play with. Children use a wide range of developmentally appropriate, safe and suitable equipment. Children’s safety is taken seriously as the childminder reduces hazards in the home to minimise the risk of accidental injury to children. The childminder is aware of the importance of fire safety and has smoke detectors installed. She has an emergency evacuation plan drawn up, however, she has not yet practised it with the children on a regular basis. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen, however, it is currently not easily accessible in an emergency.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they are provided with clear explanations about safety issues, for example, they know that they must not touch the fire guard because it gets hot. The childminder also raises their awareness of road safety whilst out on their regular local walks. Children are safeguarded as the childminder is aware of her responsibilities in the area of child protection. She has a secure understanding of the procedures to follow if she has child protection concerns and she has undertaken relevant training.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are offered a varied and stimulating range of activities. They enjoy themselves, are able to play at their own pace and show interest in the resources available to them. Children are happy and at ease in the childminder’s care. They develop confidence and self-esteem as the childminder provides lots of reassurance. Children form friendships at the setting and learn

p.3

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 to play with or alongside each other and are learning to share resources and take turns. The childminder provides a flexible routine for the children which includes free play and outings.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children can choose from a good range of age-appropriate toys they particularly enjoy. The childminder engages well with the children to extend their play and learning, for example, whilst children build a tower with bricks, she asks how high it will be and she provides praise when it is successfully completed. As they play, the childminder develops the children's learning, for example, as children play with a shape sorter, the childminder names the shapes and encourages the child to recognise the different shapes and colours. The children also have opportunities to bake, play with play dough and plant seeds and watch them grow. The childminder keeps a record of children's achievements in the form of written notes and photographs, which she regularly shares with parents.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children make a positive contribution and feel a sense of belonging in the childminder's home as a range of activities is easily accessible and the childminder responds to their interests. Their individual needs are identified with parents prior to the commencement of care. Children become aware of their own community when on outings and walks with the childminder. The childminder is aware of the need to develop children's awareness of the wider world, however, multicultural resources to help children learn about different cultures and beliefs are currently limited.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children have learning difficulties and she would share any concerns she had with the parents. Children understand responsible behaviour and can distinguish between right and wrong. They behave well as the childminder uses positive behaviour management strategies that are appropriate to each child’s level of understanding and maturity. Children’s ongoing progress is shared with parents at the beginning and end of each day. Written agreements with parents are in place to support the children's well-being. The childminder has a complaints policy and procedure to follow if needed.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the care of a very experienced and qualified carer who attends many relevant training courses in order to keep up-to-date with current childcare practices. The childminder organises her home effectively to accommodate children’s play. They are able to move around easily and safely and to access equipment in a homely environment. Documentation to promote the welfare and care of the children is well organised and stored securely to ensure confidentiality.

p.4

Organisation

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

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 more opportunities for children to enjoy physical play and fresh air • improve the level of fire safety by ensuring the fire blanket is easily accessible in the kitchen and by practising regular emergency evacuation procedures • develop the range of resources that promote positive images of diversity.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5