Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362352 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2008 Inspection date Jackie Phillips 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 satisfactory. 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 October 2007. She lives with her husband and son, aged two years of age, in Hessle, a small town in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The property is close to all local amenities and is on a bus route. The whole of the downstairs of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed rear garden for children's outdoor play experiences. Walks within the local community are regularly planned for children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Registration is for five children under the age of eight years. Care has been provided for children since registration, although currently there are no children on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's health is promoted. She describes how she helps children to learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine. For example, she provides liquid soap and individual hand towels for them to use. This supports

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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 effective hand washing routines and helps prevent cross infection. The childminder talks about regularly providing children with access to fresh air and exercise. She provides an interesting, enclosed garden area with a range of toys to develop children's physical skills and encourage them to use their bodies in different ways. For instance, a play house, trampoline, small bouncy castle and goal posts for football are provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has put into place written information for parents regarding arrangements when children are ill. For example, there is a sick child policy and details of exclusion periods. The childminder has a log to record information about medication to be administered to children, although this has not been completed accurately. Written parental consent for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice is yet to be established. From discussion, the childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to ensure children are provided with a well-balanced diet. For instance, she produces freshly prepared meals and snacks with emphasis placed on introducing children to a range of fresh fruit and vegetables. She says that drinks are prepared for children in advance and made accessible so they can help themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder explains how she uses different rooms within her home to meet the needs of the children. For example, there is a wonderful, designated playroom, that is bright, colourful and stimulating for children. The adjacent breakfast room is used for meals and creative play and the lounge for quieter activities. A comfortable sofa in the playroom provides a cosy place for children to rest or relax. The childminder explains that she stores a large number of her resources in see-through containers to allow children to make independent choices and decisions about their play materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home environment provided by the childminder is very clean and welcoming for children and parents. She explains how she displays children's creative work on the walls to demonstrate that their pictures and paintings are valued. The childminder names equipment that she has to support the care of younger children, such as a highchair, travel cot and booster seats. The childminder has taken action to ensure risks inside and out have been minimised so that children are safe. She has developed an emergency evacuation procedure to be shared with children when they are present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has up to date knowledge and understanding about child protection procedures following recent training. She has local and national guidance in place for referral and contact details of relevant agencies. She demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibility to keep children safe and protect them from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder explains a typical, flexible day she organises for children. For instance, they enjoy activities within the home, such as music, arts and crafts or choose toys of their choice. She talks about how she uses local activity groups and the nearby Children's Centre to enable children to socialise and for her to meet and network with other professionals. This also means that children would be involved in a broader range of activities which extend learning potential and opportunities for children to enjoy and achieve. She explains how activities outside in the fresh air help children to exercise and release excess energy, promoting their good health.

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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 Walks are planned to places of interest within the community, for example, to borrow library books or feed the ducks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates how she provides a range of clean and good quality resources to meet the play and learning needs of the children attending. She explains expertly how she organises activities and resources in the playroom or outside in the garden. The range is varied and includes games, books, videos, role play items, child sized furniture, construction materials and an interesting range of resources to encourage children to be creative. The childminder says she ensures there is a lot for children to do to keep them well occupied and engaged and prevent boredom.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder describes how she has developed use of written information, which is shared with parents, to enable her to get to know children quickly. She explains her past experiences of supporting children with additional needs and her willingness to work with parents and outside agencies to meet children's individual needs. The childminder describes resources she has in place to raise children's awareness of diversity. The range is currently limited, although the childminder has knowledge of where she can borrow supplementary items to broaden the experiences for children. She is aware that she has yet to include a variety of activities for children to help them understand about different cultures and festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion and observation with her own child, the childminder demonstrates that she manages children's behaviour successfully through discussion, explanation and positive intervention. She has written a clear behaviour management policy that includes strategies she would use to deal with bullying. The childminder talks about sharing information verbally with parents or is willing to provide a written diary system for the youngest children. She has in place a notice board to enable parents to clearly see the setting's certificate of registration and other operational documents. She provides parents with an information file and explains how she makes them feel welcome and relaxed within her setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is able to provide evidence that she has undergone criminal records checks and verbally confirms this is in place for her husband and mother, who regularly visits the property. However, proof is absent to share with parents, that these adults have undergone checks to prove they are suitable to have regular contact with minded children. The childminder confirms she holds a recognised childcare qualification and has good experience of caring for children as a nanny for a number of years. A number of very complimentary, written references from parents of children she has previously cared for, are in place to read.

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Organisation

Space and resources are well organised and the childminder describes a flexible day for children that includes activities within and outside of the home. This means children benefit from a varied routine which supports their health, enjoyment and well-being. The childminder has established a number of written policies and procedures that are presented and organised to a good standard. All required documentation is in place, although the setting's complaints policy lacks detail. The childminder talks about her intention to shortly re-validate her first aid qualification which soon expires. Overall, evidence suggests that the provision would meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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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 satisfactory. 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 the medication log is accurately maintained and request written parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment • provide proof of evidence that criminal records checks have taken place for adults who have regular contact with children • ensure the setting's written complaints procedure complies with requirements.

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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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