Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY368135 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 is registering to child mind with another childminder in her home in Bridgwater, Somerset. The whole of the ground floor are 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. Children are encouraged to learn good self-care skills and understand when they must wash their hands. The childminder provides liquid soap

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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 and paper towels to prevent cross contamination. Children are further protected from spread of infection because there is a clear exclusion period for sick children which is shared with parents. There is a system in place to record parental guidance and consent for the administration of medication, thus children are safeguarded. The childminder has a current paediatric first aid certificate and is enabled to offer appropriate treatment should children have minor injuries. All accidents are clearly recorded and parents sign to agree validity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular fresh air and exercise when playing in the garden, or at the local park. The childminder has a good understanding of how to provide healthy nutritious snacks and meals. Children's individual dietary needs are carefully recorded on their record forms to avoid adverse reactions to foods. Parents bring their own food 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 offers a safe and family friendly environment where children can enjoy playing and relaxing. She has a very good knowledge of how to protect children. For example, there is a robust evacuation procedure in place in case of emergency which is practised regularly with children and carefully logged and detailed. The childminder makes regular checks of the house to ensure that children are protected from danger. For example, visitors to the house are recorded and asked to identify themselves. There is a excellent system in place to safeguard children when they are picked up from school, for example, the childminder carries a first aid kit and mobile phone which includes all contact numbers for each child. When taking children on outings the childminder makes detailed risk assessments of the venue and the route. There is a clear and sensible policy in place should children become lost or are not collected. Children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 a good understanding of how to protect children should she have concerns about their safety. She records all existing injuries and has a 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 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 her children learn and develop. She recognises that after school children have different needs and is flexible in the activities that she offers. For example, although she had planned a craft activity children decided they would prefer to play in the garden, the childminder happily joined them outside. The childminder makes sure there is always a wide range of activities on offer include creative, physical, games and opportunities for children to relax after a busy day in school. The childminder has started to plan for children's learning and development and will further 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

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and enjoy the family atmosphere. Older children play happily with younger children and enjoy sharing games. The childminder is happy for children to suggest activities and talks with them about future outings during school holidays.

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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 The childminder gives 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 celebrates their differences. Children learn about their own community and the wider world through everyday activities are for example, the childminder talks to children about their differing needs. Children celebrate each other's birthdays and older children enjoy looking after and playing with younger children. The childminder has some resources to portray positive images of different people, however, these are very limited. The childminder has good experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has a very positive attitude to meeting the needs of each and every child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in the childminder's care. They understand the simple house rules which are explained to parents at pre-placement meetings. For example, children know they must hang up their coats and bags when entering the house. The childminder uses appropriate and respectful strategies to resolve any problems with behaviour, she works closely with parents to provide a consistent approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a very good range of written information for parents about her practice. She works in close partnership with parents to understand and identify each child's particular needs and provides daily written or verbal information about children's progress. There is a clear complaints procedure and poster and parents are given many opportunities to contribute their thoughts and comments 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 demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development.

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Organisation

All necessary documentation and records are in place and shared in confidence with parents. 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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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 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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