Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY369915 Unique Reference Number 11 June 2008 Inspection date Carol Cox Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2008. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine and four years. They live on the outskirts of Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset. The whole of downstairs is used for childminding, with access to a bedroom for sleeping children upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time; she is currently minding three children under five at different times of the week. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park. The family do not have any pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a clean and well maintained home. Children begin to learn good self-care skills through the childminder's daily routines. For example, the childminder explains

p.2

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 to young children why it is important to wash their hands before snack time. The childminder works closely with parents to identify the individual health and care needs of each child and these are carefully recorded. Although the childminder has little experience yet of administering medication, there are systems in place to record consent, guidance and administration. The childminder has a current paediatric first aid certificate and is able to treat minor injuries appropriately. However, some records are not signed by parents to verify their accuracy.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children enjoy regular fresh air and exercise through play in the garden and visits to the nearby park and beach. The childminder provides healthy and nutritious snacks and meals for children. She is careful to record any specific dietary needs to protect children from allergic reactions.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder makes regular checks of her home and garden to ensure that children are safe at all times. For example, there are stair gates in place to prevent children entering the kitchen alone. She provides a range of appropriate toys and resources to support children in their learning and development. Children freely access toys and begin to make their own choices. Children enjoy regular visits within the community and the childminder has insured her car appropriately and provides appropriate car seats. The childminder has thought about an emergency procedure in case of fire, she has not yet practised this with children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of how to safeguard children. She is able to recognise signs and symptoms of different forms of abuse and is aware of her responsibility to share concerns of parents. She has a sound knowledge of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an understanding of how to help children learn and develop. She helps children settle and is warm and supportive of them if they become upset. Children's individual interests are noted and considered when planning activities. The childminder makes informal observations of children's progress and has started to record their activities with photographs. Children enjoy a range of activities to stimulate and support their learning and development. The childminder extends their experiences with regular attendance at local toddler groups where children learn to socialise with others and enjoy a wider range of toys and resources. The childminder is aware of her need to continue to develop an understanding of how children learn and use this to plan appropriate activities to meet the needs of each child.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works closely with parents to identify the needs of their children. She helps children learn about the lives and needs of others through discussions about the people they meet. She provides a limited range of resources to portray positive images of different people and their lives. Although the childminder has little experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities she understands the need to identify each child's particular needs. She is happy to seek further information and guidance to help children progress.

p.3

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 The childminder works closely with parents to provide a consistent approach to behaviour management. The children in her care generally behave well, however, the childminder has limited experience or knowledge of how to manage difficult behaviour appropriately. The childminder works hard to build positive relationships with parents and gives regular verbal feedback when taking children home. The childminder has a complaints procedure and log in place; none have yet been recorded.

p.3

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder offers warm and sensitive care for children in accordance with their needs and consultation with their parents. She attends regular training and is committed to developing her practice. There are policies and procedures in place to support her provision. All necessary documentation and records are maintained, however, sometimes parents do not always sign these to verify their accuracy. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.4

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): • develop further understanding of how to manage children's behaviour in a manner appropriate to their age and level of understanding • ensure that all records maintained about children are shared with parents and signed by them to verify their accuracy • continue to develop an understanding of how children learn and use this to plan appropriate activities to meet the needs of each child

p.4

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

p.4

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

p.5