Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357931 Unique Reference Number 20 May 2008 Inspection date Siobhan O'Callaghan 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 10, eight and three years. The family live in South Oxhey, Watford. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and a bedroom upstairs is utilised for sleep and rest purposes. The garden is not registered for childminding. The children visit local parks for outdoor physical play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups and takes children to the library. The family have a lizard, a frog and fish as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. She is currently caring for one child under five years on a full-time basis and a further child under five years on a part-time basis. She also cares for two children over five years before and after school. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about aspects of healthy living as they sing songs that teach them about eating healthily. This is further promoted through their diet as they are offered nutritious and well-balanced meals. Children enjoy eating their picnic lunch of chopped tomatoes, cucumber and a sandwich with a filling of their choice. They are involved in shopping expeditions where they can all choose a favourite fruit to have as a snack. Children remain well-hydrated as they access their own drinking cups and request further drinks when applicable. Due attention is given to children's individual dietary requirements which are discussed with their parents and recorded, therefore effectively supporting children's needs. Children have good opportunities to get fresh air and develop their physical skills as they go for regular walks in the local community. They visit parks and toddler groups where they can access further resources to

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand basic personal hygiene practices as they are supported to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. Brushing teeth after meal times has become a popular activity which children enjoy and benefit from. Children are generally protected should they become hurt or unwell whilst they are in the childminder's care as she ensures that her first aid training is kept up-to-date. However, she has failed to ensure that parents have signed all medication records and she has not instigated prior written consent from all parents to administer medical treatment or medicines in an emergency situation, thus children's welfare may be put at risk. Children are not fully protected from catching infectious diseases as the childminder has not instigated an appropriate sickness policy with parents to help minimise the spread of infections.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. They independently access a good range of safe and suitable resources that offer them appropriate learning opportunities. The childminder has instigated many safety precautions within the home, however, daily risk assessments are not robust in protecting children from potential hazards. Within the kitchen children may access household cleaners as these are stored in low-level cupboards which are not secure, there are also some low-level socket covers that are unprotected. Children are also at risk of accessing the front door unsupervised as appropriate measures have not been taken to ensure that this is completely secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing an awareness of how to keep themselves safe as they learn about the dangers of traffic when they are out walking. Younger children wear walking reins whilst older children are encouraged to stay close. Children are transported safely in the childminder's car as there are appropriate car seats and insurance in place to protect them. Younger children learn about the dangers of climbing as they are reminded of the hazards of falling when they try to attempt to climb up on furniture. Children are adequately safeguarded as the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of her role should child protection concerns arise. She has all required literature should she need to seek advice or make a referral concerning a child within her car.

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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 are happy and settled within their environment. They confidently move around all areas of the ground floor which are accessible to them. They enjoy being independent as they help themselves to toys that are stored at their level. Children's individual requests for further equipment are honoured as the childminder supports them in getting additional toys from upstairs. They play purposefully with role play resources as they put their baby dolls into the buggy and take them for walks. Children are excited to play imaginatively with small world play people and houses, the children present each have their own house and people which helps to keep them engaged and happy. Children are learning how to play cooperatively through sensitive intervention from the childminder. Some younger children do find sharing difficult which is evident in their frustration when toys are not immediately available to them. However, the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder remains calm and is consistent in her teaching of being fair and the importance of sharing which is expressed equally to all the children present.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have developed secure and trusting relationships with the childminder, they independently approach her for cuddles and attention. They enjoy her interaction within their free-play as they excitedly show her toys and try to express their ideas. The childminder is sensitive to their needs as she acknowledges that she can understand them; it is evident through her interactions that she knows them well. This is particularly important as some children are quite young and rely on communicating through their body language and expressions. Children are involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events which supports their development and learning. They have good opportunities to develop their social skills as they visit local toddler groups and fun and rhyme time sessions in their local children's centre. Weekly activity plans are displayed for parents to ensure that they are kept abreast of their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who values working in partnership with their parents to meet their individual needs. Therefore, children's home backgrounds and cultures are also fully valued within the setting. The childminder is keen to learn key words in the children's home languages which supports their developing self-esteem. Children have opportunities to listen to traditional music from different countries and to learn about others through positive books and resources that help to promote diversity. Children's sense of belonging is further instigated through displays of their artwork within the home; all children have created a large collage with their individual foot and hand prints. Children's independence is fully promoted as they move around their environment confidently and have opportunities to make choices about their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are fully considered as these are discussed with parents on a daily basis. The childminder shares information about their care requirements along with details about their day. Parents have access to the childminder's policies and procedures which include her commitment to equal opportunities and how she manages children's behaviour through consistent and positive techniques. Overall children display positive behaviour, as they learn how to share and be kind to one another. They benefit from the childminder's calm disposition and her ability to quickly resolve any disputes. Children enjoy the praise and recognition they receive when they help to tidy away the DVDs that have fallen off the low shelf. Thus, children are learning to be helpful and responsible.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming home for children. She has organised her home well to ensure that they have ample space to play freely and to develop their independence. The impact is that children are busy and generally engaged at all times. They enjoy spending time with the childminder as she sensitively divides her time between them and helps them to play cooperatively. Children have flexible routines which allows them to have sleeps and meal times when they are ready rather than sticking to a strict regime.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by suitable adults who have all been through appropriate vetting procedures. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard children from all adults that have not been through these security checks. She is also aware of her duty to maintain required documentation to support the safe management of her childminding business. All documentation is in place although aspects are not completed in full. Daily attendance registers are not consistently recorded, thus it is not always clear who has been present. This potentially compromises the safe management of the children.

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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 that prior written consent is in place for the administration of emergency treatment which may involve the administration of medication; ensure that all medication records are signed by parents • ensure there is a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious, this should be shared with parents

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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 • ensure all hazards to children are made safe or inaccessible, this refers to the cleaners within the kitchen, low-level socket covers and the security of the front door • ensure that attendance records are consistently maintained.

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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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