Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY366548 Unique Reference Number 04 June 2008 Inspection date June 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 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 three children aged 11 and 13 years in Norton, near Doncaster. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, and may work with an assistant. She is currently minding six children under eight years who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder successfully implements appropriate procedures to ensure children benefit from a clean and well maintained environment, toys and equipment. Good hygiene procedures include nappy changing, sterilising baby equipment and promoting good hygiene practice in children. However, the childminder does not have a valid first aid certificate. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices. They wash their

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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 hands before meals and after messy activities. They learn about healthy living and enjoy physical activity and lots of fresh air. Children rest and sleep according to their needs; routines are discussed fully with parents and this ensures children benefit from a routine similar to home. For example, babies benefit from being held during bottle feeding and older children enjoy snacks and lunch together. They are well nourished and learn about the benefits of eating a healthy balanced diet. For example, they talk about their breakfast of fresh strawberries, melon and cereal, and talk about food helping them to grow big and strong.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit because the childminder has carried out thorough risk assessments that identify possible hazards and has taken appropriate steps to remove them. For example, the outside garden has been made secure, stair gates are in place, radiators are covered and all hazardous materials are out of reach of children. The home is secure and this prevents unauthorised persons entering or children leaving unnoticed, and a clear procedure is in place for the collection of children by known adults only. Children use suitable and safe toys and equipment that are checked and cleaned regularly, and meet BS EN safety standards. Children learn to keep themselves safe through their general routine, they are reminded to zip up the net around the trampoline, keep to the rule of one and are observed to talk through road safety while crossing the road. However, neither the childminder, assistant or children have practised an emergency

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

evacuation. Therefore, children are not learning about the need to get out quickly in an emergency. Children are well protected because the childminder and assistant both clearly understand their role in child protection and are confident they can put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary. Parents are informed about the providers role in regard to child protection and receive a copy of the procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit because the childminder effectively plans and provides a good range of activities and play opportunities. Her planning is flexible and dependent on what children want to do, and their interests at the time. Children enjoy a varied range of activities that include looking at people from around the world, making a wall mural, outings, baking and physical activities. Young children enjoy toys and activities appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example, toddlers enjoy shape sorters and are beginning to recognise colour and shape. Children are confident and have good self-esteem. They smile a lot and happily receive lots of praise and encouragement. They are settled and comfortable in their environment, they say hello to visitors after being introduced and say 'I am three'. Children have developed good relationships with the childminder and her assistant, they stay close and enjoy their interaction.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

For example, they enjoy putting together a jigsaw, helped by the childminder who prompts and asks appropriate questions to help them think and achieve success. Children show interest in what they do, they show growing concentration in chosen activities. They thoroughly enjoy small group activities, such as musical minis, they sing familiar songs and confidently repeat known phrases and movements. Children thoroughly enjoy a visit to the local park and enjoy the freedom of running in wide open space, using the roundabout and swings.

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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 are treated with equal concern. For example, activities are successfully adapted to ensure all children are included, with younger children benefiting from additional support where necessary. Children make choices and take decisions. They become aware of their wider society through a small selection of toys and activities that introduce them to differences. For example, small world people and books. They enjoy looking on the computer and select pictures of people from around the world then link them to a world map. Children are very well behaved, they are respectful and polite, and like to help out. They use polite language and learn about acceptable behaviour from the childminder who is a good role model. They talk to each other politely and with respect. Good information is shared with parents to ensure they know how the setting works, and to ensure children's individual needs are met effectively. For example, they receive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

copies of policies and procedures, and there is a good exchange of information through children's diaries, which both the childminder and parents use effectively.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit fully from an environment that is well organised, the childminder uses her time, space and assistant effectively, and this contributes to children's care and well-being. For example, there is sufficient space for children to play and sleep, and for children's privacy where required. Toys and equipment are organised effectively to enable children to safely and independently make their own selection. Children are well protected and cared for by a childminder with a good understanding of how children learn through play. All mandatory documents are in place and completed appropriately. However, the complaints policy does not include the regulators contact number and she has not yet attended the required training since registration. For example, first aid and a local authority approved childminder's pre-registration course.

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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. 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): • practise and record an emergency evacuation • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children and a local authority approved childminder's pre-registration course.

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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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