Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363584 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2008 Inspection date Carol Cox 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 three, five and seven years in Bridgwater, Somerset. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder works with another registered childminder, when working together they are registered to care for a maximum of nine children at any one time. The childminder is currently minding four children at different times during the week. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder holds appropriate early years qualifications and has experience of supporting children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is very effectively promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of how to provide a hygienic environment. For example the childminder has a stringent routine in place to ensure that all toys and equipment are regularly cleaned. Children are further

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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 protected from spread of infection because parents are asked to collect children should they become sick in the childminder's care. The childminder has a sound system in place to record parental guidance and consent for the administration of medication, all medication is appropriately stored. The childminder has a current paediatric first aid certificate and thus can offer appropriate treatment should children have minor injuries. All accidents are clearly recorded and parents sign to verify.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular fresh air and exercise when playing in the garden, or enjoying longer trips during school holidays. The childminder has a good understanding of how to provide healthy nutritious snacks and meals. The childminder has experience of providing food for children when they have specific allergies or intolerances. All children's individual dietary needs are carefully recorded on their record forms to avoid adverse reactions to foods. Parents bring their own bottles and weaning foods for babies to ensure the safe introduction of new foods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder's home offers an extremely safe and family friendly environment where children can enjoy playing and relaxing. She makes regular checks of her home to ensure that children are protected from danger. For example all doors are secured and rooms made safe with radiator covers. The childminder uses her car to collect children from school and is vigilant in ensuring appropriate car seats are available suitable to the ages of individual children. The childminder has an acute awareness of how to keep children safe when on outings. For example, she makes rigorous risk assessments of the venue, activity and route, takes a first-aid box and ensures that her mobile phone always contains parents' current contact details. Children are actively encouraged to keep themselves safe and learn to consider the safety needs of others, for example, older children show great consideration for younger children when playing in the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

garden. There is a robust policy in place in case children become lost or are not collected. Children's record forms include detailed information about those adults allowed to collect them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to protect children should she have concerns about their safety. She records all existing injuries and has a very good awareness of the signs and symptoms of different forms of abuse. She has a good knowledge of the local procedure to follow in case of serious concerns. Her comprehensive child protection procedure is shared with parents, in writing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of how to provide activities to help children learn and develop. She recognises that after school children have different needs . For example, the childminder is happy to change planned activities through discussion with children. The childminder plans a wide range of activities to include activities which are creative, physical and intellectual stimulating. She also recognises that children need to relax after a busy day in school. The childminder has started to plan for children's learning and development and will continue to develop this to build on children's own interests and achievements. The childminder does not yet formally record children's progress however, she has plans to use the Early Years Foundation Stage 'personal pathway' format to record children's achievements linked to different aspects of the framework.

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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 Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and enjoy the family atmosphere. Older children play alongside younger children and enjoy sharing toys and games. The childminder encourages children to suggest activities and talks with them about future outings during school holidays. The childminder provides parents information about children's activities through their daily diaries, older children enjoy contributing to these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values children as individuals and helps them identify and celebrate their differences. For example, she chats freely with children about how different health needs may affect people and their lives. The childminder helps children learn about their community and the world through everyday activities. For example, she uses simple observations of other people to stimulate discussions. Children celebrate each other's birthdays and children enjoy helping younger children with their games and activities. Although the childminder has some resources to portray positive images of different people, these are very limited. Along with her co-minder she has identified this as an area for future development. The childminder has good experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has good knowledge and a very positive attitude to meeting the needs of individual children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in the childminder's care. They demonstrate their understanding of the simple house rules which are explained to parents. For example, children know they must hang up their coats and bags on entering the house to prevent people tripping. The childminder uses positive behaviour management strategies which she shares with parents to provide consistency.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a very good range of written information and a web site where parents can learn about her provision. She works closely with parents to understand and identify each child's particular needs which she carefully records. Children enjoy sharing and contributing to their daily diaries which give information to parents about their progress, activities and achievements. The childminder maintains a clear complaints procedure and displays the Ofsted poster. Parents are invited to give feedback and offer suggestions about the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is experienced and well qualified. She creates a warm and friendly environment where children settle quickly and play happily. She shares clear and well written policies and procedures with her co-minder. All policies and procedures are shared with parents. The childminder reviews her practice regularly and has a written action plan to identify areas for development, thus she demonstrates her commitment to on-going professional development.

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Organisation

All necessary documentation and records are in place and parents are asked to sign to verify their accuracy. There is a clear and accurate record of children's actual attendance times. All documentation and records are stored securely and made easily available for inspection. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements 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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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): • further develop the system to record children's achievements and plan for future activities • extend resources to portray positive images of different people and their lives

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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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