Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY229781 Unique Reference Number 06 May 2006 Inspection date Diana Pidgeon 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her family, which includes two school age children, in Langley Mill. The home is within walking distance of the local schools, nursery, shops, park and leisure centre. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a secure garden to the rear of the property for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She currently has three school age children on roll, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children's good health is promoted through the careful attention given to providing a clean and hygienic environment in which they play, rest and eat. Suitable arrangements are made to ensure children's hands are clean before they eat. Generally appropriate arrangements are in place to deal with accidents to children as the childminder holds an appropriate first aid qualification and has a first aid box readily available. Suitable recording is in place so that information can be shared with parents. However, the childminder has not sought written consent from parents to obtain emergency treatment or advice, which means secure arrangements are not in place to protect children at all times. Adequate arrangements are used to ensure prior parental consent is sought before administering medication to children, but limited written information is recorded for future reference.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are generally encouraged to eat healthily, for example by having fresh fruit for a snack. Meals are provided to meet their individual dietary needs and preferences. They have regular drinks to ensure they are not thirsty. Daily routines include opportunities for exercise such as walking to and from school. Some use is made of equipment in the garden and local park to enhance children's physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Relevant precautions are taken to ensure any identified hazards are minimised and that additional measures are put in place as needed, according to the ages of the children attending. For example, the safety gate at the bottom of the stairs is used when young children are present. Children's awareness of keeping themselves safe is raised through practising the fire evacuation procedures when they are present. Evidence that current public liability insurance is held was unavailable at the visit. This means children may not be fully safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Space is used appropriately to provide comfortable areas where children play and relax. They have easy access to a range of age-appropriate play items that are stored within their reach. Children help themselves to drawing materials and small toys from the boxes on the storage unit in the play area. This allows them to make choices and instigate their own play. Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's sound knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure in the care of the childminder. They have positive relationships with her and the other children so that they are confident to explore, play and learn. Children develop independence as they choose what they wish to do from the variety of toys and activities provided. Some planned activities, such as baking, are used to help children develop their skills

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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 and to learn. For example, the children take turns to mix the ingredients and patiently spoon the mixture into paper cases. Their understanding is extended through dialogue with the childminder who encourages them to observe and talk about the ingredients and how they change when mixed with liquid.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Daily routines are planned to meet children's needs and interests. For example, when children attend before or after school they are able to choose whether they wish to be active or to relax quietly according to their individual needs. Children enjoy creative activities such as drawing and writing. They have their own folders and the childminder assists them with spelling to extend their learning. Some children engage in imaginative play and the subsequent conversations that take place help to develop their social and communication skills. Although currently no children under school age are cared for, the childminder has a good understanding of the needs of babies and toddlers and demonstrates how these would be met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are included as part of the family and develop a sense of belonging that encourages their self-esteem and confidence. They receive consistency of care because sufficient information is shared between the childminder and the parents. Children's individual needs are mostly recognised and met because the childminder knows each child well. They do not have many opportunities to learn about wider society as there are few resources available that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender or disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to understand right from wrong and to behave responsibly because the childminder provides them with clear guidance. She uses appropriate methods of behaviour management according to their age and understanding. Through the use of praise children are encouraged to behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home environment is well organised to enable children to easily access the toys and activities and to provide appropriate areas in which to play. Sufficient adult support is available to ensure children feel secure and confident. Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure children are protected from visitors through careful monitoring and supervision.

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Organisation

Most documentation is in place and held confidentially, to ensure sufficient detail is known about the children and their parents' wishes. Necessary records are maintained appropriately and mostly include sufficient detail. This helps to ensure information is shared and that children's needs are met. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a number of recommendations were made to improve the childminder's practice. Since the inspection the childminder has ensured that when her stair gate is used it is safe and positioned appropriately. She has introduced the use of a visitor log to ensure a full

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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 record of adults who have been on the premises is maintained. These steps contribute to providing a safe environment for children. The childminder has attended an appropriate first aid course and provided a suitable first aid box so that minor accidents to children may be treated satisfactorily. However, written parental permission to obtain emergency medical advice or treatment has not been sought and this potentially weakens the childminder's ability to act in a child's best interests in the case of an emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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): • obtain written parental consent regarding the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure appropriately detailed records of any medication administered are held • ensure evidence is readily available that public liability insurance is held • continue to develop the use of activities and resources to raise children's awareness of diversity within society.

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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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