Evans, Maxine

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY219295 Inspection date 22 March 2006 Inspector Sheena Bankier

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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 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?

This childminder has been registered since 2002. She lives with her family in Abingdon, Oxon. The downstairs of the childminder’s house is mainly used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for 6 children under 8 years and when working with an assistant may care for up to 6 children under 5 with no more than 2 children aged under 1 year. There are currently 6 children on roll. The childminder

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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 walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The family have a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. (NCMA)

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. There are regular hand cleaning routines in place and children learn to cover their mouths when coughing. The childminder ensures children have a hygienic environment, such as daily clean towels for drying hands and clean bedding for sleep times. The family pet is appropriately cared for alongside the children. There are clear procedures in place regarding illness and infection. The childminder discusses these with the parents. This helps to protect the children's health. Children enjoy regular fresh air as they walk locally, visit the park and use the garden. They benefit from being physically active as they use the park equipment and the bikes and scooters in the garden. Indoors they dance and play games of hopscotch using the printed rug. Children's individual dietary needs are well understood. Information is exchanged

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Helping children to be healthy

with parents and all necessary details are recorded. The food provided by parents is stored and prepared in accordance with their wishes. Children have access to drinks at all times. Records are made of the time and intake of babies’ milk feeds and solids in a daily diary. This ensures the childminder understands when babies may need feeding next and provides an accurate record to parents. Younger children are able to follow their own routines for feed and sleep times. This gives them the comfort and security of their familiar home routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a dedicated playroom which is made welcoming with attractive children's rugs on the floor and character stickers displayed on the patio doors. Children can readily access the toys from low storage units; this allows them to be independent in their choices. Children are able to play and eat comfortably as there is appropriate child size furniture such as a low table and chairs. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussions with the childminder, such as road safety and stranger danger. The childminder gives good priority to keeping children safe whilst out and she uses appropriate safety equipment, for example, wrist straps. Children are kept safe at the premises by the use of stair gates. This prevents their unsupervised access to other areas of the house and restricts their contact with potential hazards. Children are closely supervised at all times and there are established rules and boundaries to keep

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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 children safe. Children can choose from a good range of developmentally suitable toys and equipment under the supervision of the childminder. This ensures children select developmentally and age appropriate items. The childminder checks and cleans items regularly to ensure that they remain in good condition and are safe for use by the children. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and has a current first aid certificate. This helps to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled. They make themselves at home and enjoy each other's company. They socialise with other children through regular visits to other local childminders. The children enjoy warm relationships with the childminder and are at ease with her. They enjoy her frequent interaction as they talk about the things they like and what they are doing. Children have a good range of toys to play with and are offered a variety of creative activities. However, children are restricted at times in their creativity, as these activities are mostly adult directed. The childminder encourages children in their learning, for example, to write and recognise letters and colours, but this is mainly through a formal approach such as worksheets. This restricts the children's ability to learn through play and is not always a suitable approach for some children due to their age or developmental stage.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children under three have access to appropriate toys and resources which encourage their development. Babies are able to have times to sit and watch the other children play and to lie on the floor to stretch out. Activities and play opportunities for children under three are suitable, although they would be expanded by using information such as the Birth to three matters framework to underpin and extend the childminder's understanding, knowledge and practice. This would support the development of the younger children further.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a range of resources that reflect positive images of society. This gives them some insight about people different from themselves. They undertake topics about the Christian celebrations such as Easter and Christmas. This has not been extended to include other religious or festival dates and therefore does not widen their knowledge and understanding of other celebrations. The children's behaviour is good overall. They learn to be responsible as they help tidy up and take care of the resources. The childminder manages the children's behaviour using suitable strategies and has a calm approach to behaviour

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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 management, however at times she uses negative language such as 'dont'. This does not positively reinforce the children's behaviour. Children enjoy praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements both verbally and gain rewards such as stickers, which helps develop and build their self-esteem. Children's individual and changing needs are understood well as information is exchanged daily with parents. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. The childminder has considered what she may need to take into account if caring for a child with additional needs. The childminder has good relationships with parents. She shares her policies and procedures with the parents and provides detailed feedback with written daily diaries which provide information about the children's day. This keeps parents well informed

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about the childminding service and children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has suitable experience and she has completed the courses in line with the national standards for childminding. Children enjoy a good range of toys and benefit from the warm interaction with the childminder. The play room is well organised which allows children to initiate their own play. The childminder has employed a suitable assistant who holds relevant qualifications in childcare, first aid and food hygiene. The childminder has ensured that her assistant has completed the necessary checks and that parents have provided consent for the assistant to be left unsupervised with the children. The individual paperwork for the children is well organised and stored to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The paperwork is mostly maintained satisfactorily. However, some changes are required to the consent wording for the seeking of medical advice and treatment and for children to travel in a vehicle. No records are

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Organisation

kept of when the assistant has been caring for children and the register does not contain the full names of children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder had a recommendation to ensure babies have regular drinks offered. The childminder has addressed this by having drinks that are freely available to all ages of children. She ensures babies are offered drinks on a regular basis as part of their routine and in line with parent’s wishes. This ensures babies have sufficient nourishment and intake. The childminder had a recommendation to ensure children could not lock themselves in the bathroom and has now removed the lock from the bathroom door. This means that children are kept safe.

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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 The childminder was recommended to update her paperwork, to include information about the children's religious and cultural backgrounds and to gain written consent from parents to seek emergency treatment for children. She has updated her paperwork to include information about the children's first language, religious and cultural observances. This provides further information about the children's backgrounds and the childminder is able to meet the children's individual needs as a result. Consent has been gained from parents in respect of emergency treatment, such as first aid from the childminder. However, this does not extend to the seeking of advice or treatment in an emergency from medical staff, for example at a hospital. This means that issues may arise if the childminder was to seek emergency

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Improvements since the last inspection

treatment or advice for children. This could put the children's welfare and health at risk.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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): • develop outcomes for children by providing opportunities for children to express their creativity in their artwork and support and extend the development of the younger children, for example by using the Birth to three matters framework • broaden children's understanding and knowledge of others and diversity by providing suitable activities • maintain paperwork to ensure that records indicate when the assistant has been present and the times when she has been left unsupervised with children, ensure consents from parents reflect that it is for travel in a vehicle and for the seeking of emergency advice or treatment.

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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 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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