Mullard Amanda Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 506552 Inspection date 10 January 2006 Inspector Margaret Webster

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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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband, one grown up child and one child aged 13 years. The lounge, kitchen, utility room and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed outside play area. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler groups, takes the children to the library and the local park. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children under the age of 8 years at any one time. There are 12 children currently on roll.

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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 has one cat. The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable home where they are protected from infection through the implementation of effective hygiene procedures. The childminder provides good resources to enable children to practise good personal hygiene for example, individual wipes for the younger children and the older children use the bathroom on the first floor where they have access to soap and clean towels. Children learn to follow appropriate hygiene and care routines, for example washing their hands before meals, after using the toilet or playing outside. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Good use is made of the garden for extended play opportunities as children engage in activities to help develop their physical skills, for example there is a sand pit, slide, see saw, bikes, stilts, bat and ball games and badminton for the older children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are also taken to places of interest in the local community and the park. They are encouraged to develop a healthy lifestyle as they walk to and from the local school. Children are able to rest or be active according to their needs. Children learn about the benefits of healthy eating through regular discussions with the childminder. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children's choices to provide snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs for example, fruit, healthy snacks, sugar free juice and water. This contributes to ensuring children are well nourished in the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to the necessary facilities to ensure that they are able to eat and rest comfortably. The environment is welcoming and space is appropriately organised so that children can play safely. They independently select activities from a wide range of good quality, well-maintained toys and equipment. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children's safety is appropriately promoted through the childminder's ability to implement necessary precautions both inside and outside the home. Most risks have been identified and minimised to allow children the freedom to move around the property in safety. However, the marble surrounding the fire place is not protected and children do not have opportunities to develop an understanding of how to keep

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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 Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's knowledge of child protection issues, training has been accessed to ensure she has a secure understanding of the local Area Child Protection Committee's procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a variety of toys, activities and equipment suitable to their ages and stages of development. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child development. She takes time to find out what interests each child and what he or she knows and can do and builds on this information to provide a variety of activities and opportunities to help the child progress in all areas of learning. Language and mathematical thinking is promoted through songs, rhymes and counting everyday objects. The children are developing positive relationships, they are learning to listen and communicate. They are able to initiate their own play and learning ideas, supported by the childminder. The childminder interacts positively with the children in their daily routines and play, encouraging them to explore the natural world as they visit local parks and the local community. A wide range of activities is available to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children, which promote creative expression, such as collage design, drawing, painting and baking. Children are developing independence and their self-esteem is promoted by selecting their activities, helping with household chores and taking responsibility for tidying away toys. Children form positive relationships as they share and play cooperatively together. Children become confident communicators; they are well supported by the childminder who enjoys listening and talking to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children learn about their local community on their daily walks to school and visiting the local park. Children with special needs are welcomed by the childminder and she would work with the parents and any outside agencies involved with the care of the child. Children receive support and encouragement to effectively develop their understanding of what is right and wrong. They learn mutual respect as they play together, sharing and taking turns. Children build a trusting relationship with the childminder which fosters their sense of belonging. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Parents are kept appropriately informed about their children's well-being and development, mainly through daily

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussions and a daily diary for the younger children. The positive partnerships developed ensures that the childminder and parents work together to meet the needs of the children.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well qualified. She has completed the Introduction to Childcare Practice and the Diploma in Childcare Practice and regularly attends local short courses to ensure she is up to date with new ideas and information. The children are settled and at ease within the appropriately organised surroundings. They are confident to make choices about their own activities and receive support from the childminder to help them feel secure. Positive steps are taken to ensure that persons who have contact with the children are suitable to do so and where appropriate have satisfactorily completed the relevant Criminal Records Bureau checks. The required documentation and procedures which contribute to children's health, safety and well-being are in place and shared with parents. Overall, the needs of all the range of children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure policies provided to parents include all elements as outlined in the National Guidance and Standards. This request has been complied with, the childminder has all the documentation in place that is required in the 14 National Standards for childminders. This contributes the welfare and safety of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the fire place is made safe and inaccessible to young children • provide an emergency evacuation procedure and discuss it with the children and the parents.

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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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