Bradley, Mrs Mandy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 258350 Inspection date 30 January 2006 Inspector Diana Pidgeon

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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 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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children in a house situated on the outskirts of Nottingham. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time. There are currently 10 children on roll, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Of these, 4 children are aged 8 years or above. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's good health is suitably promoted because they are cared for in a clean, warm and welcoming environment. From an early age they know to wash their hands regularly, although the use of a shared towel does not fully protect them from cross contamination. Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure sick or injured children are appropriately cared for, as the childminder holds a current first aid qualification and maintains relevant documentation. As a result she is able to act in the best interests of the child at all times. Children are beginning to learn about healthy options because the childminder is starting to introduce them to different fruits and vegetables as they eat their meals and snacks during the day. Any dietary needs and preferences are thoroughly discussed and agreed with parents. Children have some opportunities to be physically active each day, which contributes

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

to them developing a healthy lifestyle. Walking to and from nursery or school and visiting local parks ensures children benefit from some fresh air. Use of the childminder's garden, with the good range of outdoor play equipment, helps children to extend their physical skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe through good levels of direct supervision and use of appropriate safety measures around the home. This means that as children move freely to access a variety of play materials their risk of accidental injury is effectively minimised. Positive steps are taken to ensure all children are safe when walking outdoors. Older children are beginning to learn about road safety as they walk to and from school, so contributing to their awareness of personal safety. All children have opportunities to practise the fire evacuation procedure and understand how to leave the home in an emergency. Children enjoy using a wide range of toys and equipment that the childminder ensures is appropriate to their age and stage of development. These are suitably organised to allow children to make choices within their play. Appropriate checks are made to ensure toys and equipment are maintained in a suitable condition and meet

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the children's developmental needs. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a sound knowledge of issues in relation to child protection. She is aware of her responsibilities and is clear about the appropriate action to take if she were to be concerned about a child.

p.3

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 The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and at ease in the childminder's home. They enjoy warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and show confidence as they move around the house. They know what activities are available to them and make choices readily. For example, a child asks if she can paint and this is provided for her. First hand experiences, such as drawing or painting, are used to extend children's learning and they are clearly beginning to recognise colours, to count and form recognisable letters in their play. Daily and weekly routines are planned around children's differing patterns of attendance. Planned outings, such as attending a local parent and toddler group, allow younger children to socialise with others. The childminder is aware of the

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

existence of early years guidance such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework. However, she has not yet fully considered what children are learning through their play and there is minimal planning to ensure all areas of children's development are fully promoted.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are recognised and met because the childminder knows the children well and understands their interests and abilities. She seeks appropriate initial information on each child and ensures this is kept up to date through ongoing discussions with parents. Children generally behave well. They begin to learn right from wrong through clear explanations from the childminder. Their good behaviour is fostered as the childminder praises them for their efforts and achievements. Children begin to learn to co-operate with others and share resources, for example they share the crayons when they are drawing. They benefit from some opportunities to learn about the wider world through a limited range of resources and activities such as food tasting. Parents receive regular verbal information to keep them suitably informed about the business arrangements and their children's care and development. Appropriate

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

consents are sought and obtained to ensure children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. Although the childminder has some understanding of dealing with any concerns from parents she has not fully incorporated the latest requirements into her practice.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisation of her time and resources to ensure their needs are met. She ensures they have suitable levels of support to feel secure and confident in her care. Their welfare is promoted as the childminder ensures necessary qualifications, such as first aid, are maintained. Although the registration certificate is available in the childminder's folder, it is currently not displayed. This means parents may not be fully aware of the conditions she is

p.4

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 required to meet. All the relevant documentation is held and used appropriately to ensure children's safety. Relevant details about children's individual needs and routines are carefully recorded and this ensures children benefit from continuity in their care. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken some positive steps to address the recommendations raised. She has sought written consent to carry children in her car and improved her overall knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures by obtaining and reading the latest guidance. These measures improve the overall safety of the children in her care. She has taken some steps to increase her resources to reflect the wider society and provided some activities, such as food tasting, to raise children's awareness of other cultures. These improvements together with the use of borrowed resources from the library are providing children with an increased understanding of today's society.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 arrangements for children to dry their hands protect them from cross contamination • extend daily planning of children's activities to ensure all areas of their development are promoted • raise awareness of the latest requirements regarding the investigation and recording of any complaints received in the future

p.5

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 • display the certificate of registration.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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

p.6