Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY366448 Unique Reference Number 16 May 2008 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal 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 lives with her husband and two children aged four and seven years. The family live in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a secure fenced rear garden for children to use. The premises are within walking distance of local, shops, pre-school and parks. The childminder is registered to care for four children and is currently minding two children under eight years. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for two children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they rest and be active according to their individual needs. Children begin to understand the importance of good hygiene practices and be able to initiate these independently. They are learning about possible risks within the environment. The childminder has good policies and procedures in place to protect children from infection and act in their best interests if they require medical attention. Children use individual flannels to dry their hands. This helps to establish a good routine for their personal

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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 needs as they become more independent. The childminder's good practices around the care of children who are unwell or infectious, help to reduce the risk of cross-infection. She has a detailed sick child policy, which she shares with parents at the start of the placement so that they are clear that she would contact them if a child becomes unwell, whilst in her care. Children are able to receive appropriate first aid as the childminder holds an updated first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand what foods are healthy and make healthy choices for themselves. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure the children's health and dietary needs are met. Young children develop their confidence as they feed themselves and ask for more food when they finish. Children’s knowledge and understanding of food is promoted by the childminder who organises enjoyable cooking activities with children. Children also visit the childminder’s allotment to learn about organic food. Children are developing their physical skills and gaining in confidence when using a good range of large and small equipment safely. The childminder plans a wide variety of activities whilst also giving children excellent opportunities to practise their skills in spontaneous play situations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a stimulating, lively environment where risks of accidental injury are minimised. The childminder conducts a risk assessment to reduce potential hazards, both inside and outside the home. The childminder provides challenging and interesting opportunities for children to try new experiences. Children develop confidence when taking part in well organised activities that challenge and stretch their ability. They use a wide range of safe, well-maintained and developmentally appropriate resources. All items are checked regularly for safety. The childminder has a good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. For example, when young children play in the kitchen the childminder supervises them well. The childminder ensures young children can independently access their play resources, appropriate to their level of understanding and interests. However, the fireguard

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in the lounge is currently not fixed securely which potentially presents a risk to children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe through the childminder’s clear safety rules and guidance. For example, children understand they must not go near the oven because it is hot. Older children are given an explanation on what action to take if there is a fire. Children's welfare is effectively protected due to childminder’s good understanding of her responsibilities to protect children in her care and her clear understanding about the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to support the children's safety. She also provides parents with factually correct information on child protection issues to ensure parents fully understand the adults’ duty to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are inspired and eager to learn as the childminder provides a stimulating environment and a variety of activities to initiate their interest. The childminder plans weekly activities and daily routines to ensure children make choices about their activities and can input their own ideas into their play. Activities are adapted to ensure all children present can participate and they are appropriate for the individual children's development. For example, children enjoy doing their cooking activity together. The activities significantly develop young children's vocabulary as they play ‘peek a boo’ with the childminder. Children regularly visit the local

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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 library for a story session and read picture books with the childminder, learning new words and sounds. Children have a good rapport with the childminder which contributes to their sense of belonging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are motivated and make many good links in their learning as they use their imagination in creative play. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they learn about the world around them through regular visits to places of interests. For example, children regularly visit parks to feed the ducks and develop their social skills as they visit local toddler groups and meet other children. They learn how things grow and monitor the changes in seedlings such as grass seeds and sunflower seeds. They are also growing tomatoes. Children's self-esteem and reliance is promoted by the childminder who encourages children to participate and praises them for their efforts and achievements. She plays with the children at their level and is secure when letting the children lead an activity. Children naturally learn to count, recognise shapes and colours within their daily play. Children achieve well as the childminder uses her observations

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to plan appropriate activities for children to develop their next step of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain a positive view of the world around them through a good range of resources, play opportunities and activities. For example, the childminder displays pictures in her home reflecting positive images of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She also displays a folder with pictures of special places in different countries and shares aspects of their culture with the children to enhance their understanding of the wider world. The childminder demonstrates a genuine concern for the children and is a positive role model. The childminder’s strong commitment to inclusion ensures that children's individual needs are met well. All children are welcomed in her home as she displayed their pictures and work in her home. This contributes to children's feelings of security and sense of belonging. Young children behave well as the childminder ensures they are well occupied with their play and receive one

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to one attention. The childminder listens to children and finds out about their likes and dislikes. She ensures children are constantly praised for their good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's professional relationship with parents as she involves parents in the children's care, learning and play with regular verbal feedback and written observations for the younger children. Parents are encouraged to participate, sharing information and any events, which may impact on their child. The childminder has a portfolio containing important information for parents about her practice including information about the care the children receive. In addition, she also displays useful information on a notice board for parents. All required consents have been obtained to help parents make an informed decision about their children's care. Complimentary comments have been received from parents about how happy they are with the care of their children. The childminder promotes an open, honest and trusting relationship with parents which impacts positively on children's care and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the effective organisation of the childminder’s time and the daily routine. Children are making good progress due to childminder's well-planned activities and learning resources. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem as they are fully occupied with their play in the welcoming environment. The childminder has started to keep records of her

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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 observations of children, which assist in her planning of activities that develop their next step of learning. Children feel secure and confident in her care. The childminder ensures parents are well informed about their children's achievements and daily activities, as she has organised a good system to share information with parents, this promotes children's welfare and all-round development. The childminder has devised policies and procedures to ensure she is able to care for children in accordance with the wishes of parents. Records are stored securely and are kept up to date, providing evidence of her good practice. The childminder has developed a portfolio which is continually being updated to ensures parents are kept fully informed of any changes that may affect the care of children. Overall, all children’s needs are met.

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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 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 hazards to children on the premises are minimised with regard to the fireguard in the lounge.

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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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