Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357151 Unique Reference Number 16 April 2008 Inspection date Brenda Joan Flewitt 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 partner in the Wyke Regis area of Weymouth, Dorset. The whole of the ground floor is available for childminding, including use of a quiet room, playroom, kitchen and bathroom. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The childminder keeps a pet lizard and giant African snails, to which the children have supervised access.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding six children under the age of five years and two school-aged children. The childminder holds the National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well at all times. They are cared for in a clean and tidy home where they are encouraged in good practices for their own personal hygiene from an early age.

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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 The toilet and hand washing facilities are easily accessible and children develop independence in using them. The childminder's routine procedures help protect children from the spread of infection. For example, she has a hygienic nappy changing system which includes individual equipment, protective gloves and appropriate disposal of dirty nappies. There is a clear sickness policy which is shared with parents to ensure that children do not attend if they have an infectious illness. Children's medication and accidents are well managed. The childminder holds an up-to-date first aid certificate, first aid resources are easily accessible, both in the home and on outings, and the relevant records are completed clearly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They have daily opportunities for outside activities where they get fresh air and exercise. School children walk to and from school, and there are regular visits to the local play park, where children use large equipment such as swings, slides and climbing frames. Children learn about their bodies and healthy routines through discussion and activities such as yoga, washing dolls and food tasting. Children start to make healthy choices in what they eat. The childminder encourages healthy eating by offering a balanced diet menu and discussing options provided by parents. For example, a young child enjoys a mid-morning snack of sliced banana and bread sticks. There is always water available for children to help themselves to when they feel thirsty. Babies routines are agreed with parents regarding eating and sleeping patterns, which means they eat and rest according to individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in safe and secure premises where hazards are identified and minimised. The good security arrangements mean that children are protected from uninvited visitors and cannot leave the building unsupervised. The childminder carries out risk assessments and puts measures in place to help prevent accidents, such as safety gates, 'door slammers' to prevent trapped fingers, and the safe storage of hazardous substances. The space available is well organised so that children move around freely and in safety as they choose their activities. They use a play provision that is kept in good condition. There is a range of equipment available to help keep children safe. This includes a travel cot, a buggy and bouncing chair with harnesses, a booster seat, and low-level furniture so that young children can access their activities safely. Sleeping babies are checked frequently to ensure their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn what is expected if they must leave the building in an emergency as they are involved in discussion and regular practises of the escape plan. This promotes their safety in a real situation. Children are kept safe on outings through the childminder's procedures which include seeking parental permission and making sure she takes a phone and contact numbers. Children learn about road safety through discussion and good example.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow with concerns. She has up-to-date reference material, a written policy for parents and records existing injuries as routine. All this contributes to children's safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and secure. They are cared for in a calm and caring environment where they make good relationships with their childminder and each other. They are confident to make their needs known, as they can be sure of a kind response. Children are provided with

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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 a broad range of activities and experiences which help them learn in all areas. These include small world toys, books, music and dancing, role play, sensory play, construction, art and craft, puzzles and games. The childminder completes observation records of children's achievements to support their development. Children receive positive interaction from the childminder throughout the day as she supports their play, which helps them develop vocabulary and understand the world around them. Children use a good range of toys and resources which are thoughtfully organised to encourage children to select for themselves. For example, the storage drawers are labelled with pictures of what is inside to enable all children to easily identify what is available. A young child selects ribbons and enjoys moving with them to music, copying the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder in bending, stretching, jumping and making the ribbons wriggle like 'snakes'. The child is encouraged to press the button to stop the music and tidy the ribbons away when finished. A young baby responds with smiles to the childminder talking and offering tactile toys, enjoying a cuddle before settling to sleep.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's days include a variety of outings where they meet other people and explore their local environment. For instance, children like to travel on a bus into town where they help choose resources for their art or snack options, they sometimes visit a café where they have a drink. Walks on the local beach give children the opportunity to be physical, collect items of interest and observe nature. All this helps promote children's positive attitude to the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals. The childminder gets to know the children well through effective communication with parents, and as she supports their activities. Children develop a good sense of belonging as they see their art work displayed, use individual labelled coat hooks and look through their observation records to see photos of themselves enjoying previous activities. They start to be aware of people's differences through discussion and planned activities such as exploring various festivals. They use a range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They know what is expected and are involved in compiling house rules which emphasise respect for people and their belongings. Children are encouraged to display good manners from an early age and willingly help to pack away equipment as they finish an activity. Children receive ongoing praise and encouragement for their effort and achievements, which helps build their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain from the childminder's positive relationships with parents. She supplies good information about her provision which includes written policies, routines and her background. There are daily opportunities for exchanging information verbally to help meet children's individual needs and to ensure any additional requirements are addressed. This is supported by a written daily diary for pre-school children, which informs parents of their sleep, food intake and activities while in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's previous experience in working with children. She has an NNEB qualification and has attended various courses to up-date her knowledge in various aspects of childcare. She keeps informed about changes through her membership of the National

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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 Childminding Association and via the internet. The effective organisation of the premises, resources and structure of the day means that children are active in a safe environment, eat and sleep according to individual requirements and enjoy activities outside the home. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

All the required records are in place, well organised, stored confidentially and generally completed clearly. However, the records of attendance for school-aged children are not fully detailed.

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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): • review the system for completing attendance records for school-aged children, so that they are more detailed.

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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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