Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY257459 Unique Reference Number 09 June 2008 Inspection date Joyce Bowler 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 registered in 2003. She lives with her teenage son in a house on the outskirts of Somerton, Somerset. The house is situated close to a park and play area. The children use the ground floor of the house and a first floor room for sleeping. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to look after a maximum of five children at any one time. She does not provide overnight care. Currently, she has four children on roll, all of whom are cared for on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder's home is clean, tidy and well maintained. Children's health needs are promoted well as the childminder follows good hygiene routines. The childminder reduces the risk of cross contamination by using a wipe-clean mat for changing nappies and wears disposable gloves. Children have their own potties which are cleaned after each use. Children are protected

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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 from cross infection as they use individual paper towels to dry their hands after washing. Children's minor injuries are treated appropriately as the childminder holds a first aid qualification. More serious accidents and injuries would be treated as the childminder has prior consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. The first aid box is stocked correctly and the childminder uses plasters with parents' consent. All medical equipment, such as asthma inhalers, is stored hygienically out of children's reach for use when needed. Children's accident and medication needs are recorded and shared with parents, who countersign record books.

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Helping children to be healthy

All food and snacks are provided by parents in lunch boxes. The childminder stores yoghurts and chilled foods in the fridge to ensure that they are kept at the correct temperature. She holds a valid food hygiene certificate. Children are provided with plenty of drinks, especially in hot weather, and they have easy access to their own beakers and cups. The childminder ensures that these are topped up with water or fruit squash during the day. Children's dietary requirements are recorded and adhered to strictly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills and to enjoy physical play both at the childminder's home and on outings. They enjoy visits to 'Jungle Jungle', a soft play centre, in Yeovil and to toddler groups. The childminder provides larger toys for play in the garden and these are stored in the attractive children's play house. Art and craft activities enable children to develop manual dexterity and to use pencils, crayons, glue sticks and paint brushes with increasing skill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well as children are able to play in a home where potential risks have been identified and minimised by the childminder. She has good safety measures in place to protect children, such as covers on electric sockets, a stair gate at the foot of the stairs, cupboard locks in the kitchen and excellent front and back door security. The garden gate is padlocked to prevent accidental escape or entry by unauthorised visitors. The childminder has set up her home to give children sufficient space to play on the floor and at the table. She has high chairs and booster seats in place with safety straps. She protects children when transporting them in her car by using appropriate seats and restraints. She has written permission from parents to use her car when minding. Children sleep in buggies downstairs or the travel cot upstairs according to their preferences and parents' wishes. The childminder uses a baby monitor

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and visual checks to ensure children are safe when asleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are collected by nominated persons only and the childminder ensures that she has met any relatives or friends who may be allowed to collect children. Children are protected when away from the home as the childminder maintains a record of all emergency contacts and she carries these telephone numbers in her mobile phone. An emergency evacuation procedure has been devised and the childminder has practised it with minded children. Smoke alarms are in place on both floors and are wired into the mains with a battery back up. A fire blanket is fixed in place in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of suspected child abuse and who to contact should she have a child protection concern. However, she does not have an up to date list of local contacts or advisory handbook which includes guidance which is in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board.

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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 benefit from the childminder's friendly and relaxed approach and the high levels of affectionate care that she provides. She knows each child well and demonstrates an insight into their individual needs, likes and dislikes. This knowledge means that she is up to date with their stages of development and caters well for these. Children enjoy opportunities to socialise at toddler groups, childminder get-togethers and visits to a soft play centre. They have lots of individual attention at home with the childminder, who plans activities which relate to their current play interests and home life. Children benefit from learning about their local environment, nature and the changing seasons by going on walks in the local field and park. They have access to an attractive range of toys and resources which are in very good condition. They take part in a variety of art and craft activities which include making cards and pictures to take home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

These often celebrate special events and celebrations such as Father's Day. Recent artwork includes foot and hand print pictures. The childminder uses various resources to update her knowledge and to inspire activities at home. This includes visits to the Early learning centre for ideas and resources. The childminder has recently updated her knowledge for caring for pre-school children and uses the childminder meetings to share ideas for good practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy in the care of the childminder due to good settling in procedures and comprehensive knowledge of each child. The childminder collects written information from parents regarding their specific needs and ensures that she provides appropriate care. She welcomes children to her home for short visits initially and these gradually build up to ensure that children are comfortable to be left without their parents and carers. The childminder promotes cultural and social diversity via a range of dolls, books and play figures which are part of the everyday play at her home. She is aware of children's additional needs and liaises closely with parents to keep up to date and help children to progress and develop.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning good manners and are encouraged to say please and thank you from the earliest age. The childminder avoids using humiliating techniques, such as the 'naughty step' to promote good behaviour and prefers to use positive praise and encouragement. She is aware that very young children have difficulty in understanding certain concepts such as sharing and is working hard to promote cooperative play. This means that she provides a good range of favourite or popular toys on days when more than one child attends to avoid conflict.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established a good partnership with parents and carers. Children benefit from this as vital information is exchanged at drop off and collection time. The childminder now supplements this with documentation such as accident books. All parents are informed of contact details for Ofsted and of the childminder's complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has improved the organisation of her service since the last inspection and this now underpins the provision effectively. Her good use of documentation ensures that she meets all regulations and can demonstrate how she meets the National Standards and promotes children's welfare. Children benefit from being cared for in a well organised home with good access to a range of

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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 toys and routines which enhance their experiences and enable them to learn and develop through play. The childminder keeps up to date by attending training and workshops, for example, on the Early Years Foundation Stage which will come into effect in September 2008. She uses childminder monthly meetings to exchange ideas and to keep in contact with the local child care advisor. The childminder displays her registration and first aid certificates for parents to see. All documentation is maintained correctly and available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to address four key issues which related to health, the partnership with parents and carers and record keeping.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has now attended a first aid course which means that she is qualified in paediatric first aid until 2010. She has obtained a set of childminding documents which cover all legal requirements. She is using these effectively and ensuring that all accidents are recorded accurately and shared with parents. Her register now records children's attendance to the minute and shows that she adheres to her allowed ratio. She has compiled a complaints folder, which includes her procedure, a copy of a letter provided to parents and forms for recording any incidents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It is evident that the childminder acted quickly and effectively to address previous concerns raised at inspection. She has invested in high quality documentation to support her practice and taken steps to ensure that she meets all regulatory requirements. All issues have been addressed in full resulting in improved record keeping to promote better safety and good health for minded children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • obtain a copy of the document 'what to do if you're worried a child is being abused' in order to ensure that child protection procedures are up to date and in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board.

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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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