Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY284355 Unique Reference Number 18 August 2008 Inspection date Ann Hilary Guy 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 2004. She lives with her partner and one child aged six years in a village close to Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five part-time. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent toddler group and takes children to the local park. The family have four cats and tropical fish as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children experience a good range of activities to stimulate them and contribute to their good health. They have physical opportunities for play both inside and outside the house in the fully enclosed garden, together with trips to local attractions and local parks, as well as walking to and from the local school each day during term time. Children play on a wide variety of

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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 equipment in the garden, including a swing, slide and trampoline, all closely monitored to ensure their safety. However, written parental permission has not been obtained to allow children to use the large trampoline. Children rest and sleep according to parental wishes and their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a stimulating, child-friendly environment in which they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through the daily routine. The childminder has a current first aid certificate but has not requested permission from the parents to enable her to seek emergency medical advice and treatment for their child, if needed. All children bring food from home for their main meals, so parents know exactly what their child has eaten. The childminder provides toast or a rusk biscuit at snack time, together with a drink. Sometimes this is varied to include fruit and occasionally they have a special treat like an ice cream for snack. Children's dietary and allergy information is recorded so the childminder is aware of the foods they cannot have. The children's cups are readily accessible throughout the day and they are encouraged to have regular drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in this very safe, welcoming environment. They have the use of most of the ground floor, although access to the kitchen and adjoining cloakroom area is monitored by the childminder. The lounge is mostly used a sleep area for the youngest children, as an alternative to using the bedrooms upstairs. All risks have been clearly identified and steps taken to ensure the safety of the children. These include good use of stair gates and high chairs, with suitable car seats being available for all the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move round the house and garden playing safely and independently under the supervision of the childminder. They benefit from the wide range of age appropriate equipment available, easily accessible, clean and in a very good state of repair. Their welfare is safeguarded at all times, although the child protection policy does not fully comply with the local safeguarding children documentation. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard and protect the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the variety of activities available to them. The childminder plans her week to ensure the children have a wide range of experiences, both inside and away from the house. Each child has their own box in which personal items are stored, including their daily diaries, nappies and any special work books the childminder has provided. The week's activities are planned around themes. The older children especially enjoy this. The theme at the time of inspection was 'sky' and an area of the dining room had been set up as a theme area with books relating to the theme. The activity for the day was to decorate a paper kite. The childminder showed she has a very good idea of how to pace activities for the varying ages of the children, giving the youngest ones a short activity but enabling the older children to spend as long as they wish at an activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children greatly benefit from the individual attention they are given and effectively learn through play and the daily routine, together with visits to places of interest and attending other groups like toddlers or baby gym. Their daily programme includes a wide variety of opportunities in all areas of development. During the inspection they particularly enjoyed

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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 creating a track for the train with the childminder and using a variety of shape sorters. They have opportunities for sand and water play, cookery and role play. The daily routine includes quiet times when they enjoy sharing books with the childminder. The childminder is skilled at developing their individual abilities, knowledge and understanding and includes children of all ages in all activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are included as part of the family to which they develop a strong sense of belonging. Through working closely with the parents and involving them in the care of their child, the childminder meets the individual children's needs. They discover about the local environment through their walks and have an area of garden which the children are cultivating. Each child is respected and valued as an individual. Their routines are successfully intertwined with the family routine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Simple house rules and clear strategies for behaviour management promote the children's well being at all times. Parents are kept involved in the care of their child through the daily diary they each have. The childminder values their comments and sends out an annual questionnaire prior to each child's review meeting, so she can ascertain if there are any areas the parents would like her to improve. All parents have details of how to contact Ofsted and a copy of all the childminder's policies.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Time, space and resources are very well organised to meet the individual needs of the children and help them to develop. The policies and procedures, although brief, underpin the care given, however, some minor amendments are required. Children are with the childminder at all times and she spends much time playing alongside them, giving frequent opportunities to further develop their understanding and skills. Parents value the daily conversational updates they have with the childminder, which keeps them fully informed and involved in the care of their child.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her childcare knowledge and skills. She has done this very effectively and demonstrated at inspection how her understanding has developed through both her observed practice and discussion.

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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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Complaints 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

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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): • request written permission from all parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment • obtain written permission for children to go on the large trampoline • update the child protection policy to reflect the current guidelines produced by the local safeguarding committee.

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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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