Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364510 Unique Reference Number 12 May 2008 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children in Lyneham, Wiltshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is available for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll. The childminder lives close to local schools and other community facilities and is in contact with local childminders and their support network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play and rest in warm, clean premises where good standards of hygiene are maintained. Children's health is well promoted through the hygienic routines implemented by the childminder and how children learn about the importance of hand washing routines. This reduces the risk of cross infection in the provision. Children benefit from the childminder's up to date knowledge of first aid and her awareness of the correct administrative procedures to follow if children have an accident or require medication whilst in her care. The sickness policy is formally shared

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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 with parents and they sign to acknowledge they have understood this. This helps minimise children's exposure to unnecessary illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children demonstrate a positive attitude towards healthy eating through the nutritious snacks and meals they enjoy in the setting. They are able to request snacks and do so with confidence, which the childminder responds to. Hence, she ensures children have enough food throughout their time in her care. Information is gained from parents regarding children's dietary needs and preferences, and any requirements are catered for. Children have access to drinks at all times and this ensures they have enough fluids throughout the day. Hence, children's dietary needs are well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise, with walks to the local school and pre-school. They regularly play in the garden where they have access to a wide range of physical equipment, including climbing frames, slides and balls. Children often go for walks in the local environment and make use of the facilities at the local Camp. Children have their physical development well supported in the provision.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in bright, welcoming and child friendly premises where they have their own boxes for their belongings and plenty of displays of their art work around. This helps children feel a sense of belonging in the childminder's care. Space has been well organised to meet the children's needs, hence, children have areas for resting, eating, messy play and plenty of floor space for play. Children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment that supports their development in all areas. There is a suitable selection available at the children's level for them to select those they wish to play with. Thus, this promotes their confidence and independence. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities regarding the maintenance of toys. Children, therefore, play with toys that are safe, suitable and age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play and rest in safe premises, free from risks as the childminder has implemented a range of safety measures in the home and garden to promote safety and prevent accidents. For example, safety gates prevent access to the stairs, potentially hazardous materials are in locked cupboards and the premises and garden are all secure. Hence, children are able to move around with confidence and play in safety. All fire precautions are in place and the evacuation plan is practised with the children. However, this is not yet fully developed to include details of the drills, hence the childminder is not able to fully monitor how effective this is in keeping children safe in the event of a fire. The childminder has effective systems in place for in the event of an emergency arising and closely supervises children during their play, both indoors and out. On outings, areas to be visited are risk assessed prior to taking children, in order to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

promote their safety. The childminder has a large trampoline in the garden which older children are able to use on occasions. She follows the manufacturers recommendations with regard to the use of this and gains permissions from parents. However, the procedures to be followed for children using this are not completely detailed enough to demonstrate their safety is promoted fully.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by a childminder who has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. The childminder formally shares her child protection duties with parents, has a welfare triangle agreement with them and this actively promotes the children's well-being.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They demonstrate a secure bond with her as they readily approach her for comfort, to request a drink or for interaction and play. The childminder readily responds to the children's requests, for example, to read a story. This helps promote the children's self-confidence. The childminder gets down to the children's level to engage them in their play. She interacts well with the children, and this promotes their language development. Children, therefore, are confident in communicating with the childminder, using both verbal and non-verbal methods to convey their meaning to her. She responds to these and children are therefore, developing good language skills in the provision. The childminder utilises activities very well to encourage children's skills in all developmental areas. For example, when building with the bricks, they talk about colours, count the bricks and talk

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

about what they are making. This helps children develop good concentration skills as they engage in their play for long periods with adult support. Children demonstrate a sense of security in the provision, as they confidently move around the premises requesting toys and activities, knowing where to access these. Children make connections with the world around them, as they engage in pretend play, making food in the microwave, knowing if buttons are pressed then noises are made and the plate turns around.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a wide range of activities including role play, story telling, arts and crafts and physical play. They develop independence as they make choices with regard to the toys they wish to play with and have regular outings in the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the importance of getting to know the children in her care well, to value and respect their individuality, and, hence, promote their self-esteem. She takes time to listen to the children and understand their individual needs, to enable her to support them well. The childminder tailors activities to ensure all children in the setting are included, and this helps them feel part of a group. Children have access to resources that promote positive images of diversity in their daily play, helping them gain an awareness of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very closely with parents with respect to managing children's behaviour. This ensures they are in agreement with methods to be used for managing unwanted behaviour and also to ensure consistency of techniques used encourage good behaviour both in the setting and at home. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of how to manage children's behaviour, including the use of praise and reward. She has clear boundaries in place for the children, and this encourages them to learn right from wrong. Children's behaviour is, therefore, good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the solid relationship she has with parents as information is regularly shared, routines are respected and this enables the childminder to offer the children continuity of care. Parents are well informed of their child's progress, with the childminder sharing observations of their children at play and any developmental milestones achieved. Settling in for children is reviewed with the parents to ensure they are completely confident with the care their children receive. This demonstrates the childminder's commitment to ensuring both parents and children are happy and at ease whilst they are in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a suitable and appropriately qualified childminder. She is currently undertaking an early years level three qualification and has also attended various short courses to support her professional development. This enables her to implement new ideas into her practice and this in turn enhances the children's care and learning opportunities. The childminder maintains the required adult to child ratios at all times and this means children receive good adult support, as the childminder spends quality time playing and interacting with the children in her care. Hence, children appear confident and relaxed in the provision.

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Organisation

All necessary consents have been gained from parents regarding their children participating in activities and daily routines. This protects the children's well-being and ensures they are cared for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder has reviewed her policies and procedures to ensure they reflect the care she offers. These are implemented consistently to promote children's welfare, and contribute towards the effective running of her service. The childminder has organised a detailed portfolio for parents which informs them of the policies and procedures she is required to follow as a registered childcare provider. They acknowledge they have read and understood these and this ensures they are aware of the care their children receive. All required documentation is stored securely and is readily available for inspection.

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Organisation

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration no complaints have been 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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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 and up date the procedure for children playing on the trampoline to ensure it fully promotes the children's safety

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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 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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