Morgan Deborah Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY310480 Inspection date 17 February 2006 Inspector Sheena Osborne

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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 2005. She lives with her two children aged 2 years 9 months and 16 months in the town of St. Ives, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five part-time. The childminder walks to local amenities and walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder has qualifications equivalent to Level 3 and is an experienced

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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 nursery nurse and nanny. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, warm home and are beginning to develop independence in self-care through planned daily routines, for example, they wash their hands before and after eating. However the way in which this is done does not always effectively reduce the risk from cross infection, for example, children wash their hands in a shared bowl of water. The childminder has knowledge of first aid, however not all of the required records that help to support the health and well-being of the children are in place or correctly completed, for example, written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice has not been obtained for all children and the time that medication is administered is not always recorded. Children enjoy daily physical activities, both indoors and outdoors, where they have the opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, walks to the park,

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Helping children to be healthy

negotiating stairs and playing ball. Younger children develop physical control of their bodies with the support of the childminder through some purposeful activities, for example, feeding themselves. Children eat their meals and snacks seated at the table so they enjoy social conversation and develop their good manners. The childminder provides the children with a healthy diet, which takes account of the parents' wishes and the children's preferences. She encourages them to have regular drinks of water throughout the day. As a result the children are provided with nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to them and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play rest and sleep in a welcoming and well organised environment. They are able to move around freely and safely making their own choices and independently accessing toys and play equipment. Children are provided with suitable and safe toys and equipment, which supports their all round development. Children are cared for in a safe environment where safety procedures are effective in minimising risks from potential danger. Children are therefore able to move around independently, safely and are not exposed to hazards. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe, by following simple procedures, such sitting down when eating and drinking and at the pedestrian crossing that green is for go and red is for stop. The childminder has a good understanding of the children's development. She uses this to ensure that toys and equipment are safe and appropriate for the age and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

developmental stages of the children using them. The equipment is well organised in

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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 storage boxes which are easily accessible to the children. This enables the children to move around and select toys, activities and equipment independently. The range of toys, books, games and creative materials are rotated to offer variety. Children can ask for a particular favourite if it is not already available so their individual preferences can be catered for. Children are supervised both indoors and on outings, which mean they can develop their independence in a secure environment. The childminder has the required written parental consent in place which helps to safeguard children during outings and when being transported in a vehicle. The childminder supports the children's safety and well-being through having a sound understanding of child protection. She knows who to contact and is aware of the local area child protection procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder's home because she makes it welcoming for them. The childminder organises consistent routines throughout the day so that children have times for rest and quiet as well as active games. This helps to ensure children are secure and know what to expect. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development which helps her to promote children's personal, social, emotional and intellectual development effectively. She uses this knowledge to adapt activities to promote younger children’s learning. Children spend their time engaged in purposeful play, making choices and developing their own interests. The childminder has some planned activities although skilfully takes the children's lead and uses spontaneous opportunities such as building a tent to promote children's imagination and problem solving skills. Children enjoy exploring a range of activities, which contribute to their creativity such

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as dancing, listening and moving to music and drawing. Children benefit from the good support offered during their activities, which encourages them to develop their skills. For example, children's early communication skills are developed through good quality interaction with the childminder, who responds positively to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children form good relationships with each other and the childminder encourages them to understand each other's needs through careful explanations that the children can understand. All children are well behaved and learn what is expected of them through sensitive use of regular routines, such as always sitting at the table to eat. The childminder has a good relationship with the parents. Regular discussion with parents ensures that she has up-to-date information, which enables her meet the needs of the children well. Children become aware of the wider world, themselves and the needs of others

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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 through the use of multicultural resources such as books, toys and puzzles. Regular walks and visits ensure all children are familiar with their environment. This helps them develop their understanding of differences and similarities and to be aware of the needs of others. Children behave well in response to the consistent, positive methods that the childminder uses to help children of all ages understand the rules and learn to respect the needs of others. They play together harmoniously, sharing and taking turns.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are able to play, rest and eat in a comfortable environment. The childminder's organisation of both space and resources enables the children to move around with increasing ease and independence, freely choosing from a variety of toys and play equipment. This enables them to develop their ideas and interests. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of all children who attend. The childminder's policies and procedures provide a framework for her practice. These are shared with parents, which means they know about the provision and the care their child receives. Some of the required records and documents are complete and stored appropriately. However not all of the necessary records that help to support children's health have been obtained.

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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 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

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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): • improve hygiene practices to reduce the risk of cross infection and ensure that all required documentation that helps to keep children safe and support their good health are in place.

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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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