Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY273495 Unique Reference Number 03 July 2006 Inspection date Julie Whitelaw Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and five years, in Chipperfield, Hertfordshire. The whole of the premises are used for childminding. The childminder walks to the local schools to drop off and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the library and nearby park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The maximum number of children that can be minded at this address at any one time is four. The childminder is currently minding five children aged from one to six years, who all attend on a part time basis. She supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The family have a dog.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. They regularly visit the park and local common and so enjoy the benefits of fresh air. They develop control of their bodies as they kick footballs and ride bikes. Their physical development is promoted as they walk and run in the park and dance to music with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a clean and warm home. Their health is promoted through the childminder's cleaning routine and the storage and preparation of food. Appropriate procedures are followed when nappy changing that ensure children stay healthy. Children's understanding of good hygiene and independence in their personal care is developed as they are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet, before eating and after messy play. Their health is promoted as the childminder follows the policy and procedure that is in place to exclude sick children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious snacks such as fruit and raisins. They are encouraged to be involved in the preparation of snacks and meals. They make sandwiches and cut up fruit and vegetables. Through discussion, they learn about healthy eating. Information regarding dietary requirements is recorded on the contracts which ensures children's individual needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and secure environment. This is because the childminder has identified and minimised risks within her home. Children are able to move freely indoors because it has been made safe through the use of socket covers and stair gates. Dangerous items have been moved out of children's reach. The childminder escorts younger children to the bathroom on the first floor. However, there is no banister in place which would improve the safety for older children when they go up stairs. The childminder places high importance on security of the environment. The front door has a high bolt and the door is locked. This ensures children are unable to leave the premises without the childminder. The childminder has a written fire evacuation procedure that is shared with parents and the older children. This promotes children's safety in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can freely access a wide range of resources. These are well organised and regularly checked to ensure they are clean, safe and appropriate for the children who attend. Children are kept safe because the childminder has a sound understanding of the importance of supervision. They develop an understanding of how to protect themselves as they talk about stranger danger and road safety when walking to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe through the childminder's sound knowledge of first aid. They are protected because of her clear understanding of the procedure she would follow if she suspected a child was being abused.

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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 good. Children participate in a wide variety of activities and learning experiences that promote their development. Their interest is maintained as the childminder plans activities in advance to ensure they are busy and have fun. Children have many opportunities to develop their imagination as they feed and dress the doll and play with small world toys. They develop mathematical skills as they sort laundry and count as they go up the stairs. They explore different sounds as they make and play instruments. Children respond to challenge and concentrate for extended periods as they thread shapes onto a lace.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play happily and are beginning to understand there are rules for acceptable behaviour, such as sharing toys and taking turns. They benefit from the cuddles and affection the childminder shows them. Children's self-esteem is developed as they are praised for their efforts and good behaviour. They happily interact with visitors and explain what they are doing. They are confident to access the well resourced environment and make choices about what they want to play with. Children are encouraged to make progress because the childminder has a sound understanding of what stage they are at and is able to move them onto the next steps in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and treated as individuals. They benefit from the attention the childminder gives them. Their understanding of the wider world is developed through a good range of resources and discussion with the childminder. Children learn about the wider world particularly at meals time when they taste foods from around the world and discuss what country they come from. Small world toys develop the children's understanding of differences in society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with special needs are supported well because the childminder has a clear understanding of how to meet their individual needs. She appreciates that some children may require additional support or resources to enable them to reach their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the trusting partnership that has developed between the childminder and parents. 'Thank you' letters from parents praised the care and attention the childminder gave the children. Daily diaries for younger children keep parents informed of what they are doing and the progress they are making. Children are developing self-control and manners through the clear consistent boundaries the childminder sets. Their self-esteem is promoted through the use of positive methods such as praise and encouragement to reinforce good behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the training the childminder has completed and her willingness to update her knowledge further. They make progress because of the individual attention the childminder gives them.

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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 are protected because the childminder ensures that persons living at the address or visiting the premises are suitable to do so and that ratios are always maintained. All documentation is in place and well organised. Children are protected as the childminder is aware of the need to inform Ofsted of any significant events or changes. The daily exchange of information keeps parents informed and involved in their child's learning.

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Organisation

Up to date policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to extend her portfolio to include polices. She now has in place a detailed portfolio containing relevant information. This ensures parents are fully inform about the service she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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 children can go up and down the stairs safely.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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