Setting

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy and have good opportunities to learn about personal hygiene through the daily routines. They are beginning to understand the importance of washing their hands before and after eating. Children's good health is further protected as they are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment where suitable steps are taken to minimise cross-infection. Suitable measures are in place to care for children if they become ill. Children begin to learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and diet. They enjoy a variety of meals that are home cooked using fresh ingredients. For example the childminder daily bakes her own bread. Their individual dietary needs are well met because the childminder liaises closely with parents to find out what children can eat and their preferences. In this way she makes sure that children eat foods that they enjoy whilst encouraging them to choose healthy options.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to be active outdoors in the fresh air. The childminder takes the children on regular outings to the local park. Good use is made of the garden where children have opportunities to push and pull toys, ride wheeled toys or to play ball games. Indoor activities such as singing and following actions rhymes, aids children in their co-ordination and spatial awareness. These activities encourage children to develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills.

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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 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. She informally assesses the premises and toys before children arrive and checks that they cannot come to harm during the day. The childminder provides good levels of supervision, ensuring their continued safety. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe, for example, through the practiced fire drills they are leaning about the dangers of fire. Children are able to independently select activities from a good range of toys and resources. The childminder supervises this choice, ensuring that they are clean, safe and appropriate for the children's ages and stages of development. The welfare of children is safeguarded because the childminder has a suitable knowledge of child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protection issues and is aware of the steps to take if she is concerned about a child. However she is not aware of the Government booklet around child protection.

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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 The provision is good. Children are confident, settled and happy in the childminder's house. A good range of toys and play materials offer them fun, whilst supporting their learning. The childminder considers the children's ages and interests as she plans the day and thinks how they will benefit from the activities. They enjoy participating in a variety of planned activities, as well as having time to make independent choices. The childminder makes good use of the local community to offer a variety of experiences. For example she takes children to the local park, toddler groups and shops. Children have a good relationship with the childminder who uses her knowledge of child development to adapt activities so that they are appropriate and promote children's learning. This ensures that children spend their time purposefully. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

use their initiative as they independently select from the range of activities and resources readily available. They have their needs met because the childminder ensures she makes time to play with them and provides activities to help them learn new skills. Children also have their needs met through the daily routine which allows time for them to play, rest and interact socially with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel valued as the childminder listens to them and meets their requests. Children gain a sense of belonging as they are encouraged to take an active part in the home, for example taking it in turns to hand round the snack at snack time. Children form good relationships with others and play together harmoniously. They have clear boundaries and consequently they behave well. The childminder calmly encourages children's good behaviour by using positive praise and explanations appropriate to their age and understanding. The children respond well to the childminder and are secure and happy in her care. Children benefit from the good relationship between the childminder and their parents. Clear systems are in place to share relevant information, such as routines, in order to provide consistency of care for children. Relevant information is actively sought to enable children's individual needs to be met and daily conversations

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Helping children make a positive contribution

ensure this is kept up to date. Children gain an understanding of the wider world and the needs of others through the use of suitable resources and planned activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable and relaxed in the welcoming and organised environment created by the childminder. Space within the home is organised to provide a child centred environment and an appropriate quiet area for rest and relaxation. Children benefit from the childminder's dedicated support and her involvement in their learning. This means children are confident to initiate play, to voice their needs and are able to follow their individual routines whilst in her care. All documentation is in place and the required records are appropriately maintained.

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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 Children receive continuity of care as the childminder effectively shares information with parents, through the written records and daily informal discussions. Parents are made aware of and kept informed about the policies and procedures for the setting. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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): • raise awareness of the current Government booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'

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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

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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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