Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY216421 Unique Reference Number 02 March 2006 Inspection date Elizabeth Patricia Edmond 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 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 July 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 10 and 5 years old. They live in semi-detached house in Brandesburton. Mainly the ground floor is used for childminding; the bathroom is upstairs and children sometimes go upstairs to use the computer. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under 8 years. There are currently 3 children on roll who attend on a part time basis. Children aged 8 and older also attend before and after school.

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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 are cared for in a warm clean environment where they begin to learn about good hygiene practices. The childminder makes sure that the children wash their hands and does this for them when they are unable to reach the tap. However, the younger children do no yet have the opportunity to do this independently.

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Helping children to be healthy

They enjoy the meals and snacks which meet their nutritional requirements. They relish the good sized portion of fresh fruit with their sandwiches and sometimes help to pick the fruit at the childminder's allotment in the summer. The childminder talks to the young children about only having chocolate for a treat, which increases their understanding of a healthy diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

On the whole, the children develop a positive approach to being active. The older children enjoy playing out in the garden much of the time after school. The younger children enjoy going to feed the ducks. These outings provide good access to the fresh air and develop their interest in their environment. They enjoy their weekly visits to a music session and they excitedly show off how they can do all the actions to their favourite rhymes. They also benefit from regular sessions at a local indoor play centre and ball pool.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are able to play freely as all immediate risks in the home are identified and minimised. The premises are secure indoors and out. The children play safely with a satisfactory range of equipment which is in very good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has clear emergency evacuation procedures, although it is not clear how the children’s understanding of this is supported, for example by practising the procedures regularly. Most children know how to keep themselves safe as they walk home from school and are clear about the rules when they are near the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are safe and suitably protected because the childminder has done basic child protection training and keeps her first aid certificate up to date. She does not have the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures or the government booklet on file for advice. This could hinder the effective handling of any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy, settled and enjoy their time at the childminder's house. They confidently help themselves to the toys that the childminder gets out for them and they look in the toy box themselves. The childminder has a caring approach to help children with tasks when needed. However, sometimes the childminder steps in a little too quickly to help the young children to open some toys or to get dressed. This means that their self help skills are not fully promoted.

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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 Older children can help themselves and they talk about what they would like to do at the childminders house as they walk from school. This provides a satisfactory choice for the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The young children begin to develop their language skills because the childminder talks to them about their play. They chat together about the small animals and as they play together with the vets surgery. The childminder recognises when the television becomes distracting and turns the sound down or off. This helps the children to concentrate more on their play. The regular outings offer good quality opportunities for physical play for the young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has strong links with the local school which provides good continuity in the children's care and development and further strengthens relationships. She finds out about ongoing topics so that she can support the young children's learning and the older children enjoy seeing her when she helps out in school. The older children prefer restful and recreational activities after school. They enjoy the craft activities, play on the games console or take part in games that the childminder has downloaded from the internet. In better weather the children particularly like being outdoors in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are relaxed and they behave very well. They develop positive relationships with the childminder and chat happily about their homes and families. The childminder uses praise and encouragement with great success to promote the young children's self-esteem and to maintain a pleasant atmosphere.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children feel valued and respected as individuals. This is because the childminder gets to know their needs and dispositions by talking to the parents and observing children as they play. There are limited resources which show positive images of cultural diversity. This limits opportunities for children to appreciate diversity in our society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the effective sharing of information with parents. The childminder displays all the necessary registration information and keeps clear records of parents' preferences about their children's care. The daily diary informs parents of younger children about daily care routines and the activities they have enjoyed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a well organised family environment. The children are able to select from the play materials presented by the childminder on that day. The easy access to the enclosed garden in better weather means that the children can play freely indoors and out whilst within sight and sound of the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder evaluates her practice and uses self-evaluation well to assess her own capabilities. The required records about the children are in place and well organised, which means that the childminder can easily locate important details should she need to. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder did not have a valid first aid certificate or parents permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. She has now updated her first aid training and uses commercial publications for recording all of the children's medical needs and their parents' wishes. This significantly improves the children's health and safety.

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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): • help the children to accept and enjoy diversity in our society by extending the range of resources to promote this • further develop the young children's self help skills and independence by encouraging them to wash their own hands and dress themselves • further protect the children from harm by ensuring that the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and the government booklet "What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary" is kept on file for advice • improve the children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe by practising the emergency evacuation procedures.

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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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