Sutton Deborah

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY287540 Inspection date 31 October 2005 Inspector Jacqueline Mason

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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 satisfactory. 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 2004. She lives with her family which includes a son aged five years in Stoke-on-Trent. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a total of five children at any one time. She currently cares for two children under the age of eight years; one on a full-time and one on a part-time basis. The family has a goldfish that is kept in a covered tank.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is able to take to and collect children from the local primary school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about the importance of good hygiene to promote good health. They are encouraged to have regard for personal hygiene such as washing their hands after toileting and before eating. Although there are satisfactory arrangements to promote good hygiene the procedures for sick children do not ensure that others are protected from the risks of cross infection as the childminder does not exclude children who are unwell. Good arrangements to record accidents and medication dispensed help ensure that children's needs are met. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of healthy eating. She works with parents to ensure that individual dietary needs are met. Parents are welcome to provide meals for their children if they prefer to do so. Fresh fruit and vegetables are offered to encourage children to learn about the importance of healthy eating. Children are encouraged to recognise when they need a drink. They are developing

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Helping children to be healthy

independence as they confidently help themselves to their drink that is always kept readily available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing physical skills. The childminder provides satisfactory opportunities for children to play outdoors. They access local facilities such as 'Funsters' play area and the local toddler group. The park is used during the summer months. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected because the childminder has effective arrangements for their arrival and departure. The premises is kept secure. Children are protected from persons not vetted because the childminder has effective procedures to ensure that children are never left unsupervised. Although the childminder has a reasonable awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse she does not have a thorough understanding of child protection issues or how to manage concerns. This means that children's welfare is not sufficiently safeguarded. Children are able to play safely when indoors. The childminder has take appropriate steps to limit hazards and has home safety equipment in place such as a fire guard and stair gates. However, hazards remain in the garden which mean that children cannot play safely when outdoors. Arrangements for outings are satisfactory. The childminder has identified an adequate fire safety procedure to ensure that children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are protected in the event of needing to evacuate the premises in an emergency.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a varied day that offers them a range of experiences. They have opportunities to meet other children through visits to the local toddler group and other places of interest. This helps children to develop their social skills. The adequate storage of toys enables children to self-select. This helps to promote independence and self-confidence. Children are encouraged to have choice. Children benefit from a good range of age appropriate toys and equipment that promote all areas of development. They enjoy looking at books and the childminder encourages the younger children to name objects in the books thereby promoting language skills. She is interested in what the children say and do, helping children to be settled and confident. The childminder is careful to ensure that toys are suitable and that older children can play with age appropriate toys without impacting on the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

safety of younger children. Children choose freely from the toys available. The toys that the childminder provides are suitable for children aged from birth to five years.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's needs are met well. The childminder finds out about the children through discussion with parents and works to ensure that individual needs are met, for example, by following babies' established routines . She values the children well as individuals. Children are confident and secure in their trusting relationships with the childminder. However, she does not have a thorough awareness of equal opportunities issues and therefore children are not learning sufficiently about the world around them and its diversity. Toys to promote positive images of culture, disability and gender are limited. Good behaviour is encouraged and children are praised verbally and given treats as rewards. However, the strategies used to manage inappropriate behaviour do not promote self-esteem or help children to learn responsible behaviour. Behaviour management methods are agreed with parents. The childminder works in partnership

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with parents to ensure continuity of care for the children. She has appropriate arrangements to share information with them. She has written agreements with parents that are reviewed regularly.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming to parents and children. Space is used well to ensure that children can play safely and have room to move around promoting independence and freedom of choice. There is adequate floor space for children to play comfortably. The childminder organises her time effectively. Children have sufficient adult support to help them feel safe and secure. The recording and

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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 maintenance of documentation ensures that children's needs are recorded and their continuity of care is maintained. However, the daily register is not accurate as the childminder records the children's contracted hours and not their actual times of attendance. The childminder is suitably qualified to enable her to offer a satisfactory standard of care for children. The provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • improve procedures for sick children to ensure that others are protected from the risks of cross infection • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures • develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues and provide resources to promote positive images of culture, gender and disability • improve strategies used to deal with inappropriate behaviour to ensure that the methods used are sensitive, appropriate and take into account children's level of understanding and maturity.

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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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