Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349940 Unique Reference Number 06 August 2008 Inspection date Nicola Hill 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 2007. She lives with her husband and their child aged two years in a semi-detached house in Ash Vale. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding, with toilet facilities available on this floor and provision for children to sleep available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler group. She holds a valid first aid qualification and a level three National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Early Years Care and Education. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children aged between nine months and three years, who all attend on a part-time basis. She is not registered to provide overnight care.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are well protected from infection and enjoy a healthy environment because the childminder implements good hygiene procedures and ensures parents fully understand her policy with regard to the care of sick children. Risks of cross infection are reduced through effective cleaning routines and nappy changing procedures, which include the wearing of disposable gloves. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet, and a sign is also displayed in the cloakroom to remind children to wash their hands. The childminder has a first aid qualification and there are good procedures in place to record accidents and administer any necessary medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows a good understanding of healthy eating. Children have frequent drinks throughout the day in order to keep well hydrated, and meals currently provided by the parents are stored appropriately. The childminder provides healthy snacks for the children, such as rice cakes, cucumber, pepper, banana and apple. The childminder considers children's food preferences, as well as the parent’s wishes, to ensure that she meets their individual dietary needs. Children benefit from the social aspects of meal times because they sit together, with the childminder, supporting their personal and social development. Babies and young children's individual routines are followed. The childminder supports parents with issues such as weaning and monitors what is being provided to ensure children are benefiting from a healthy diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of physical play experiences that contribute to their good health. Regular walks and easy access to the rear garden gives them daily opportunities to enjoy the fresh air. A good range of outdoor toys help children to develop their physical and coordination skills. For example, they thoroughly enjoy playing on the mini trampoline and on the wheeled toys, and try to hit balls with their bats. Children also visit local parks and play centres so that they can enjoy vigorous play using a variety of equipment. There is plenty of space for babies to develop their crawling skills and they enjoy physical play experiences, such as baby walkers and push-along toys, to encourage vigorous play. The childminder recognises the signs of tiredness in young children. Their individual sleep and rest patterns are met and they sleep in accordance to their home routine and parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are content and happy in the homely environment. The childminder ensures the children feel welcome and at home by displaying colourful posters on the walls, creating a small role play area and providing familiar toys and resources each day. Children have opportunities to make individual choices about what they wish to play with from the good range available within the lounge and conservatory. Other toys are rotated into the downstairs rooms regularly to ensure variety. The childminder is aware of the individual likes and play preferences of each child. She regularly checks the toys to ensure they are clean and in a good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All play areas used by the children have been carefully assessed in order to identify potential hazards. The childminder uses safety gates and cupboard locks, as appropriate, and all electrical sockets are covered. There are clear arrival and collection procedures in place and the front door is secure, meaning children cannot leave the home unsupervised. Children learn to keep

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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 themselves safe both inside and outside the home because the childminder talks to them about safe practice, such as road safety and why it is not a good idea to do roly-polys inside when there are toys on the floor. She is careful to teach children about fire safety and practises fire drills regularly with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home. The childminder's knowledge of child protection issues is sound and she understands the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect. She is not fully confident of the reporting procedures, although she has useful reference materials in place to support her in taking necessary action in the event of any concerns. The childminder has considered what to do in the event of an emergency at the setting and has a designated emergency back-up person to care for the minded children. However, although she has not yet had to implement this procedure, she has not ensured all parents have met this person, and has not requested written consents from the parents to leave the children in her care in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder, who dedicates quality time to playing with them. All the children have a warm rapport with the childminder and take pleasure in each other’s company. For example, as an older child takes the hands of a younger child and they play 'ring-a-ring-roses' together. Children are self-assured, participate in activities with enthusiasm and are eager to initiate conversations with the childminder and visitors to the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy and learn from a good range of activities, such as role play, art and craft, outdoor play and games, which support their development in all areas. The childminder's understanding of appropriate activities for younger children is very good, and her awareness and developing use of the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is improving children's achievements. The childminder plans her activities in advance, which helps her to be prepared for each day and ensures the children are well stimulated. Children spend their time purposefully, and are content to explore their own interests. For example, older children become engrossed in their make believe play, telling the childminder the tea is blueberry flavoured because the cup is blue, and that the cabbage and egg are hot because they have been cooked. A younger child enjoys pressing the buttons on a musical toy and dances to the music.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy creative, exploratory and messy play activities, such as cooking, painting, making play dough, modelling with 'moon sand' and playing with the sand and water. They have fun playing with the dried pasta and thoroughly enjoy playing with the 'gloop' (cornflour and water), watching with fascination as the 'gloop' mixture drips down between their fingers. By extending care and play outside the home, children also receive good opportunities to experience the wider world around them. Children regularly visit the park and places such as the library and the farm, and also attend the local childminding and toddler groups, as well as weekly music sessions, where they learn to socialise with their peers and other adults. The children clearly enjoy their time at the setting and are well cared for.

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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 benefit from the childminder's good partnership with their parents. Detailed information obtained from both written sheets and discussions with their parents, helps the childminder to cater well for children's care needs and their interests. Parents are kept well-informed of their child's day and achievements through daily diaries and the childminder also collates children's photographs in individual scrapbooks, which are shared with parents. The childminder has developed written policies and procedures to ensure parents are informed of the main aspects of the business. Parents receive their own copy of the policies and sign to say they have read and understood them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder incorporates the individual needs of each minded child into her provision, providing appropriate care for everyone. Children are becoming more aware of the wider world and are learning to develop a positive attitude towards others as they access toys and books that reflect diversity. However, the childminder has yet to fully promote children's learning about a variety of cultures and festivals through the activities offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is a positive role model for good behaviour, treating children with kindness and respect. Children are generally well behaved. The childminder manages behaviour calmly and effectively, ensuring clear rules and boundaries are in place. For example, she gently explains to young children about the need to share and gives lots of praise when they give back toys they have taken from another child. Children are encouraged to show consideration for others, say please and thank you and help to tidy their toys away, showing respect for their environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes good use of the available space within her home. Children access the lounge, conservatory and garden where there are large spaces in which they can play freely. The childminder is well organised and through her daily routines she provides children with a range of interesting and enjoyable play opportunities that support their learning. Children feel at home and at ease within their environment and benefit from the good relationships the childminder has developed with the parents.

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Organisation

The childminder has a positive attitude towards developing her future childminding practice and utilises her experience of working in day nurseries well. The welfare of the children is important to the childminder and correct ratios are maintained at all times. All of the required documentation that contributes to the children's safety, health and wellbeing is in place and is accurately maintained. There is one minor weakness in the organisation, however, as the childminder has been slow to notify Ofsted of structural alterations to the home. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she 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

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.

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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 safeguard children's welfare and care by ensuring written consents are obtained from parents to leave children in the care of the designated back-up carer in the event of an emergency • ensure Ofsted is promptly notified about any significant changes or events.

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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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