Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358802 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2008 Inspection date Suman Willis 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and 11 years in Oxhey village, close to Bushey and Watford. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding four children on a part-time basis. Children are taken and collected from the local nursery school. The childminder uses her car to transport children. Children are taken to local parks, shops, the library and music activities, and the childminder regularly attends the local childminding group.

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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 good. Children are involved in a range of physical activities which promote their large physical skills. They have access to a well-resourced garden on a daily basis. Children are also taken to music and movement activities where they learn to move with control and rhythm. Babies learn to pull themselves up using low-level sturdy units and chairs as they are supported by the childminder. Children and babies rest and sleep according to their individual needs which enables them to participate in all activities fully rested.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most policies and procedures are in place to ensure children stay healthy. For example, records inform parents of any accidents children may have had and permission to administer emergency aid and non-prescribed medication is obtained. However, records of pre-existing marks children arrive with are not kept which may impact on the monitoring of children's health and safety. The childminder has up-to-date knowledge of first aid which ensures that she is able to act promptly should the need arise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a very good understanding of minimising cross-infection because the childminder reinforces washing of hands before and after snacks, and after stroking the cat. Clear procedures, such as using disposable gloves when changing children's nappies promote good hygiene practices. Children learn about their bodies and how to stay healthy because the childminder uses opportunities created by the children. For example, as children show their teeth the childminder explains the importance of brushing teeth daily and visiting the dentist.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are effectively met by the childminder who obtains information from parents of any allergies or cultural needs. The childminder works closely with parents who are given options of providing packed lunches, or for her to provide it. She keeps parents informed of the children's food intake. Children have independent access to fresh drinking water which is left out in beakers on low shelves. This promotes children's understanding of managing their own thirsts.

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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 warm and welcoming environment. The indoor area is fully secured and a clear notice on the entrance door reminds everyone to ensure it is locked at all times. However, Children's safety is compromised because the side gate is not secured. The childminder carries out a daily risk assessment in the house and shares her procedures with parents to ensure that children stay safe. Children develop a good understanding of safety because the childminder sets clear boundaries by having gates as barriers between the kitchen door and the stairs and uses resources, such as socket covers, and cupboard and drawer locks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a safe and well-organised environment where they explore and participate in a variety of activities safely. Babies and toddlers learn to move and engage in their play with ease learning to pull themselves up reaching for toys suitable for their age. A wide range of age-appropriate resources is effectively stored on a shelving unit and organised to ensure that all children are able to access toys suitable for their age. An excellent range of posters for children of all ages is attractively displayed to promote children's learning. All relevant notices for parents are clearly displayed on a wall together with lots of photographs

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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 of children involved in a variety of activities. This helps to promote partnership with parents and makes them feel welcome.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection and has procedures in place in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board, these are effectively shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are becoming confident and engage in activities with enthusiasm because the childminder joins in supporting and offering praise and encouragement consistently. They are interested and their concentration is sustained by the childminder who enables children to make their own choices. For example, the childminder had planned for the children to make dinosaurs using empty boxes but the children had decided they wanted to make a storage box for their cars. They park their cars with enthusiasm and proudly show visitors their creation. Children successfully complete large floor puzzles as the childminder gives lots of suggestions of the pieces required thus enabling children to think for themselves. They are encouraged to ask lots of questions and the childminder gives clear explanations and extends their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children acquire new knowledge and skills as the childminder plans a broad range of activities around familiar topics which challenge them. For example, children make medals and talk about the Olympics. Their language skills are extended as they learn the meaning of 'pail' as they sing 'Jack and Jill'. Drawers and storage units are clearly labelled with pictures and words which enable children to develop their understanding of how words carry meaning. Children recognise numbers and are able to say that 'four and three make forty three'. Babies enjoy joining in with activities, such as playing instruments as they are shown how to play xylophone to familiar nursery rhyme tunes. They learn to communicate effectively as they confidently babble and the childminder responds warmly to their sounds. Babies develop good hand-eye coordination as they learn to post shapes into boxes. Children learn right from wrong through their daily

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

routine and learn to respect toys as they help the childminder put away toys they have finished playing with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Consequently, children make very good progress because they are consistently challenged by the childminder who fully supports their learning using age-appropriate methods to build on what they already know.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled. They feel valued as they point at pictures of themselves from a wide range attractively displayed on the wall. Children feel a strong sense of belonging because the childminder has developed clear settling-in procedures in line with their routine. This enables her to work closely with parents to help children settle with ease. Children are encouraged to make independent choices and take decisions about the activities they want to be involved in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their local community as they visit the local park and the shops. They learn about the wider world through books, posters and topic work, such as the different people competing in the Olympics. This enables them to learn to value and respect the differences in

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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 people. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and understand responsible behaviour. They confidently say 'please' and 'thank you' without prompt. Children learn to care for each other and demonstrate this with warmth as they hear babies waking up and say 'we're coming'. The childminder is a very good role model as she consistently praises them for their achievements. All children are involved in drawing up positive behaviour rules which are clearly displayed. Consequently, children work harmoniously within their peer groups and with other adults.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and understanding of child development and child protection. This enables her to implement her training into her daily practice and shows the high regard she has for the well-being of all children. Children strongly benefit from her organisational skills as she uses children's routines, such as sleep time to enable her to give more one-to-one time to other children. The childminder works within her registered numbers and keeps Ofsted fully informed of all situations, such as stepsons staying with her, this enables her to make a positive contribution to children's care, learning and play.

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Organisation

Most policies and procedures work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. These are effectively shared with parents and all notices are appropriately displayed to ensure that parents and visitors are informed of her arrangements.

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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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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): • develop procedures for recording pre-existing marks that children arrive with • develop procedures to ensure that the garden is fully secured at all times.

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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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