Grant Wendy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY303962 Inspection date 20 October 2005 Inspector Paula Jane Hayhow

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2005. She is registered to care for a maximum of 2 children under 8 years, of whom only 1 may be under 12 months of age. The childminder does not provide overnight care. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged six and three years. The family live in a property in the village of Clophill close to the A6 trunk road. The local shops and schools are within walking distance. The ground floor is used for childminding together with two bedrooms upstairs, which can be used for sleeping

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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 young children. The garden is fully enclosed. There is a park close to the family home. The family has no pets. The childminder can attend the local toddler groups. She is currently minding two children under five all day on a part time basis. She can care for children during the school holidays.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They are well nourished and their health is promoted due to the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. They are offered nutritious meals which the childminder prepares using a balanced range of fresh ingredients. These include five pieces of fruit and vegetables a day and the childminder ensures that children do not exceed the recommended allowance of salt in a day. The childminder discusses individual dietary requirements with parents and keeps an accurate record of these so that the needs of all children can be met. For example, during the weaning process the consistency of food is discussed to ensure the same practice is operating at the child's home as well as the childminder's home. Children participate in a good range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for outdoor

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Helping children to be healthy

activities, such as walks to school and the local park, or playing chase games or moving to music in the house. This encourages the young children to develop control of their bodies and improve their spatial awareness. The children are beginning to understand their own physical needs, for example, they know when they need a sleep. The children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She provides appropriate activities and supports the children well so that they have confidence to try out new skills and experiences.

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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 welcoming and safe environment and are therefore able to move around independently and freely. The childminder is aware of risks, both in and out of the house, and has taken steps to minimise these. However the children's safety could be compromised as they have access to the older children's small play materials and the plastic loft bag. The childminder is vigilant and no issues have arisen as yet and she plans to rectify these issues promptly. The children use safe resources and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are stimulating and appropriate for the age and developmental stage of the children. Children can independently select most activities from a range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder sensitively supervises the children’s choice of toys

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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 and activities, ensuring that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The children's welfare is promoted and the childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place, for example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a sound understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, confidently choosing activities and moving around the play room and home. They relate well to the childminder and her family and are learning to socialise and play with other children productively. The children's independence is developed as they make choices about toys, books and activities. They enjoy a wide range of activities that cover all areas of their personal development and are encouraged to explore and learn about their environment. These include imaginative play resources such as cars, trains and dolls as well as cause and effect toys which produces sounds and interesting movements. The childminder is able to use her good knowledge of child development to adapt activities so that they are appropriate and promote children’s learning, ensuring that all children spend their time purposefully. She ensures that the play materials offered include toys which will aid physical skills and challenge the children intellectually such

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as crawling through tunnels, building towers and balancing rings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures that she is aware of all the children's individual needs and meets these well, for example, they have a daily routine which allows time for them to eat, play and rest as discussed with their parents. The children show affection for the childminder, coming to her for security and praise when they have completed an activity. Behaviour is good and children are learning about sharing and playing together. This is reinforced by the childminder's good understanding of the importance of setting consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children. The childminder appreciates the importance of providing a wide range of resources to promote positive images of our society and increase children’s understanding of this. The children learn about their local community on routine outings to local parks, shop and school. The children's needs are discussed daily with parents and some make

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Helping children make a positive contribution

use of daily diaries to keeps them up to date with their child's progress and any new stage of development. The parents are kept well informed about the childminder's practice through a parent's folder documenting the childminder's procedures and practices.

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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 Overall, the needs of all children who attend are met. The childminder organises all aspects of her work effectively, helping the children to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home. They are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning. The individual needs of all children are met by the childminder through her good procedures to ensure that she has all relevant information and regular discussion with parents. However, Ofsted must be informed of any changes within the premises, such as using rooms not within registration, and the childminder plans to be more vigilant at informing them in the future. The children's emotional and physical development are well promoted through the childminder's attention to detail in planning and organisation of her daily work, which

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Organisation

ensures that children are offered a range of stimulating activities and opportunities and that all are able to participate.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted 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 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): • ensure that children are safe and cannot access any hazardous items such as small play objects or plastic bags • ensure that Ofsted has been informed of any changes to registration, such as the extra bedroom being used.

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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 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

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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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