Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364237 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2008 Inspection date Claire Sheldrake 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 her three children aged two, five and six years old, in Churchill, North Somerset. The childminder regularly works with her mother as an assistant. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time when working alone, and she currently cares for six children on a part time basis during the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children on walks in the adjoining countryside and to a local farm and collects children from local schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted. Children are reminded to use the bathroom, and wash their hands when they come in from the garden. The childminder provides individual towels for children to dry their hands, therefore reducing the risk of cross infection. Documentation

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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 is available to support the childminder, and to record details of children's accidents and any medication administered to them, however, none have yet been used. The childminder is trained in first aid and a suitable first aid box is kept for her use, in the kitchen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy sitting up at the table in the kitchen to eat their snacks. They are offered a snack of croissants, fresh fruit, shortbread biscuits and raisins. Each child uses an appropriate cup to drink to encourage their independence. The childminder uses written menu plans to inform parents of the kinds of meals that she will provide. These take into account children's special dietary requirements and preferences.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have good opportunities to be involved in physical activities both in and out of doors. They crawl through tunnels and hide in a tent in the lounge, and are helped to climb steps up the slide in the garden. The children have the chance to run freely and ride on bikes, in a large grassed area at the lower part of the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have plenty of space to play, mainly using the ground floor rooms, and the garden. These areas are set up with toys to stimulate children's interests and attention. The childminder encourages the children to play freely and helps the children to manage the steps, as they move around the differing levels in each room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder makes sure that equipment is suitable and safe for children. She uses a double buggy on walks and for outings, harnesses secure children when sitting in low chairs for snack time, and appropriate car seats are provided for all children, when they are transported in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment. She protects any open electricity sockets, has suitable fire prevention equipment, such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors, and has a written fire evacuation plan displayed on the wall in the lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

She has prepared a risk assessment, which she has linked to areas within her home and garden, and this ensures children's safety is effectively supported.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's well-being is protected. The childminder has attended training with regard to child protection, and is confident in recognising and reporting any concerns she has about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have a good choice of activities to meet their learning and development needs. The resources are set out in areas of each room to encourage the children to play in small groups and individually. The children enjoy making a train set together, and while sorting through a box of plastic animals, they proudly show the childminder the one she is looking for. One child carefully looks at a computerised book whilst sat to a small table. He carefully turns the pages, presses some buttons to match the sounds, and listens for the responses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to develop their language skills through plenty of open ended questions and the repeating of some words. The childminder is very aware of the children's

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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 abilities and needs, and helps them pronounce and practise the beginnings and endings of words.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has organised her resources well, using labels and pictures on the toy boxes. This helps children to recognise and choose what they would like to play with, and is a good tool to help them with the process of tidying up.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy playing musical instruments, beating out rhythms and using a small electronic guitar. They talk about the sounds that they have made, and photographs show the children involved in this activity on many occasions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The older children are using technology. They use a digital camera to take pictures of themselves while they play, and of the other children and the childminder. These are then collected together and some are displayed on a small notice board for parents to see.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children are welcomed and helped to settle with a warm reassuring cuddle from the childminder, and they are supported to manage this separation from their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are treated with equal concern and the childminder ensures that they are given full access to an appropriate range of activities and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are recognised and any specific learning difficulties are identified. Observations are shared with parents, and can be used to support referrals to other agencies, such as Speech Therapists and area Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well for the childminder. The childminder encourages the children to share the toys and readily praises their good behaviour. The childminder is skilled in distracting children and re-directing them to new activities, to avoid conflict. She is clear and consistent when necessary to help children recognise house rules and maintain their own safety.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has begun to develop partnerships with parents, however, at present these are mainly done on a verbal basis. There are no written agreements or contracts made with parents, which set out the expectations of both parties as to the care of their child. There are no written consent forms to take children on outings, and no written permission to transport children in a vehicle. This means that children's individual needs are not effectively met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The parents are able to see examples of the children's art work around the kitchen walls, and a photograph wall shows the children busily involved in activities. The childminder has labelled these with links to their learning intentions, to help parents see how their children are making progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder organises her day to meet the flexible needs of the children and their parents. She has regular help from an assistant who contributes to a good level of supervision and ensures that child ratios are met. The childminder is qualified as a primary school teacher and owns a children's day care facility in a nearby town.

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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 The childminder records the children's attendance appropriately using a daily and weekly register. This includes the children's time of arrival and departure and the adults present who are responsible for the children. She has developed written daily routines which can be shown to parents, sharing what the children have been doing.

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Organisation

Some documentation is kept in her childminding file, and these include accident and medication records and some children's information forms, however, further essential written documents are missing, and this compromises children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder does not meet 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

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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure parents give written permission for their child to go on outings, and be transported in a vehicle • ensure there is a written agreement or contract with parents which sets out the expectations of both parties These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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