Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY100398 Unique Reference Number 11 May 2006 Inspection date Anneliese Fox-Jones Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered childminder since 2002. She lives with her husband and five year old daughter in a house in Borehamwood. There are local parks and schools within walking distance. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for four children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding four children on a part-time basis.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two cats, a hamster and fish.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is supported effectively by the childminder who has appropriate health and hygiene routines. They are protected by the childminder's understanding of how to prevent the spread of infection. Children rest and sleep according to their needs, so that they do not become over tired. Effective procedures are followed by the childminder to protect children from illness. She ensures that children are kept at home if they are infectious, this protects the other minded children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children practise and develop skills using a variety of equipment and local facilities. They make frequent use of the local parks and soft play centres to promote their physical development because the garden is not currently safe for children's access. Thus children get adequate fresh air. Children are offered a balanced diet and learn the importance of making healthy choices. Drinks are readily accessible at all times to ensure that children are well hydrated. Children benefit from the childminder's sound knowledge in first aid.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children use a suitable range of toys and equipment which is regularly checked and cleaned. Children are happy to play independently as the childminder is close by to offer support when necessary. Most potential hazards have been addressed. However, due to a recent house move some risks to the children have mot been minimised or identified. This compromises the children's safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear boundaries are positively reinforced to ensure that children are familiar with aspects of keeping themselves safe, such as potential dangers of playing on the stairs or running around the house. Children stay safe on outings as they are closely supervised and made aware of road safety. Children are generally safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues. Children benefit from the basic child protection training that the childminder has previously attended. Although, children's welfare is not fully protected as the childminder does not have appropriate knowledge of the local child protection literature and the relevant procedures to follow if there were any concerns.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play happily in a caring environment. They show interest in the available resources. Children's enjoyment and learning is supported by the childminder's gentle interaction. However, the 'Birth to three matters' framework is not used to plan activities and resources. This has the potential to enhance the care and experiences offered to younger children. They socialise with babies and children of differing ages which helps develop an awareness of the needs of others.

p.3

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 A busy weekly schedule is planned to offer children variety. They have opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities and outings. They visit various toddler groups and meet up with other childminders and their children. This provides children with exciting opportunities to access different resources and mix with others. Children are provided with interesting activities to help them develop because the childminder has a good knowledge of children's individual interests and stages of development.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children and babies are fully included in the setting. Older children often initiate their own play and are able to make choices and decisions in their play. Children have access to a range of suitable toys and equipment. An adequate selection of resources are available that promote children's understanding and knowledge of the wider world. The childminder is aware that some children may have special needs and has a sound understanding that all children receive appropriate support to enable them to reach their potential.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn responsible behaviour as boundaries and clear explanations are positively reinforced. Rewards are used to help children understand acceptable behaviour. If necessary, children have timeout to think about their behaviour. Information is shared verbally with parents on a regular basis. Children benefit from the sound partnership that has developed to ensure the children's needs are met. However, parents are not provided with Ofsted's details and there is no system in place to record parents views in terms of a complaints log.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of activities because the childminder organises time sufficiently well to meet the requirements of the children. Children have adequate space to play, eat and sleep. Resources are prepared for the children and further opportunities are made for resources to be rotated around to offer children variety. Children are made to feel at ease and comfortable by the childminder's calm and affectionate approach. The childminder is on hand to offer support and guidance for those who may need it.

p.4

Organisation

An organised portfolio offers parents information about the childminder's service and her practice. Most documentation is in place for the safe management of the provision, with the exception of appropriate parental permissions. This has an impact on children's welfare. Sound communication that the childminder has with parents contributes to the children's continuity of care. Overall the childminder meets the needs of all the children who attend.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder was asked to make resources readily available. The childminder has since moved house and prepares a small selection of toys and equipment for the children each day. There are further opportunities for children to ask for different toys and for resources to be rotated around to offer children variety. Children are free to make daily decisions about their area of play.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2005. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 any potential hazards are made safe or inaccessible to the children, with regards to debris in the garden. Make windows and the front door secure, to ensure children can not leave the premises unsupervised • familiarise self with literature of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board and up to date child protection procedures • consider the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to enhance the care and experiences offered to young children • ensure parents are provided with Ofsted's details and there is a system to effectively record any complaints • ensure written parental consents are obtained for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice, non-prescribed medicine and for transporting children.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5