Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY234652 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2008 Inspection date Karen Scott 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 2002. She lives with her husband and four children, two of whom are adults, in Minster on Sea. She is registered to provide care for five children and is currently minding two on a part time basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler groups. The family have a hamster. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Good personal hygiene is promoted as children know that they need to wash their hands after playing outside, after going to the toilet and after messy play, for example. Clear signs in the bathroom inform children about the importance of washing hands. Children have daily physical exercise in the garden where there is large play equipment, on local walks, on shopping trips and to the park. This helps them to understand the need for regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. They also understand the importance of rest as part of a healthy lifestyle and the childminder ensures that children are comfortable when they wish to rest.

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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 Children receive a range of snacks, some of which they help to make. Children bring their own lunches and perishables are stored in the refrigerator, keeping them fresh. Food is eaten at the table and plates provided. Children are able to help themselves to a drink whenever they need one and the childminder encourages children to drink, helping to prevent dehydration. Children independently pour their own drinks and like to help their friends too.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a spacious and well-organised environment, having easy and safe access to toys and resources appropriate for their ages. The childminder takes action to keep children safe indoors. For example they are reminded not to run when inside and to sit on dining chairs correctly, being given clear explanations as to why. A written fire evacuation procedure is in place and it is practised regularly with children, helping to prevent alarm should the children need to evacuate the house in an emergency and ensuring that they are prepared. Children are always supervised when they are playing in the garden. The area is checked before children play and large equipment is secure. The childminder has procedures in place to keep children safe when on outings. For example, children are expected to hold hands and stay together.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has attended training in child protection and feels confident that she would recognise them. She understands her role in the protection of children and shares this with parents and carers, having lots of helpful telephone numbers that are easily accessible should they be required. She has a good understanding of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder is helping to safeguard children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and confident. The childminder is warm and affectionate, making children feel valued and comfortable. They relate well to the childminder and each other. Children show independence and make choices about the activities that they wish to participate in. The childminder interacts with children, supplying extra resources to extend their play. She encourages children to do things for themselves but gives good support when it is required. The childminder extends children's learning by following themes that the children are pursuing at school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing with a range of resources. Their mathematical thinking is developed as they learn about shapes and count objects as part of the routine. The childminder engages children in conversation, asking questions to extend their language development. Children have created an alphabet freeze and peg words that are relevant to them on it. There are many opportunities for children to practise their writing and a white board with large marker pens is freely available. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as drawing, art and craft, playing with small world toys and musical instruments. Children have access to a range of resources that enable them to create using their imaginations. There are regular opportunities for children to participate in cookery and gardening, and they enthusiastically care for a hamster. Children benefit from various outings to parks, the library,

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and a positive attitude towards diversity, sharing this with parents and carers in a written policy. Children are treated with respect and made to feel good about themselves. They talk about things that are important to them such as their families and draw pictures of sports that they enjoy, for example. Children show pride in their artwork which is displayed prominently. The childminder praises their efforts, making them feel important and valued. Children have access to resources reflecting diversity within society and the childminder encourages children to learn about differences. The childminder has experience and a good understanding of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She works with parents to meet children's individual needs. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement and from some basic ground rules

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Helping children make a positive contribution

which are consistently maintained. Clear explanations are used and consequently children are well-behaved. The childminder works with parents to manage behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers are very happy with the care that their children receive. They are kept informed about the childminder's practice as thorough policies and procedures are in place and further helpful information is displayed prominently for them to read. The childminder keeps parents and carers further informed through daily chats and feedbacks, including informing them about the child's time at play school, for example. Parents and carers are aware of how to complain and the process involved should the need occur.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from well-organised space, time and resources and they receive sufficient adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder keeps herself well informed of current childcare practices by attending relevant courses and by liaising with other childminders. This helps her to offer up to date care to the children that she is minding. She has a current first aid certificate, enabling her to offer first aid in the event of an accident. Children's accidents are recorded in writing and parents sign to acknowledge that they have been informed. The childminder does not give medication to children without prior written parental consent and parents acknowledge that they are aware the medication has been given. This helps to safeguard children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

All relevant and mandatory documentation is in place and well-maintained. The certificate of registration is clearly displayed, ensuring that parents and carers are aware of the childminder's conditions. Although the childminder keeps a record of children's attendance it is not filled in as children arrive and depart but at the end of the day.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection four recommendations were made in order to make improvements to the care that children receive. It was recommended that the childminder ensures that good hygiene practices regarding hand washing are in place at all times in order to keep children healthy, that the childminder obtains written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment, that the childminder updates the child protection policy to comply with current recommendations and that the childminder writes a complaints procedure.

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Improvements 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 Children routinely wash their hands after visiting the toilet and playing outside for example, and clear signs remind children when to wash their hands. However the children are not reminded to wash their hands before eating snacks so it is recommended that they do so in order to keep them healthy. The childminder has obtained written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. The detailed child protection policy informs parents and carers what the childminder will do if she has any concerns about a child in her care. Therefore the childminder is helping to safeguard children from harm. The childminder has written a complaints procedure which is shared with parents and carers so that they are aware of how to complain and the process involved if they do.

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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 childminder 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): • ensure that children's times of arrival and departure are recorded as they occur.

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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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