Byrne Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY239371 Inspection date 14 March 2006 Inspector Lorraine Sparey

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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 2003. She lives with her husband, adult son and their 2 younger children, aged 14 and 6 years, in a house in Somerford, on the outskirts of Christchurch. The home is in a residential area, within walking distance of local schools and shops. The whole of the ground floor, with the exception of a bedroom, is used for childminding. The childminder works with an assistant on occasions. The family have several pets, such as a dog, 2 tortoise, goldfish and 2 chickens. A maximum of 5 children may attend at any one time, there are currently 7 children

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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 on roll. The childminder has an Early Years qualification. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted by the childminder implementing effective procedures to reduce the risk of cross infection. For example, by providing individual towels for the children and using gloves whilst changing nappies. Their health is promoted further by the childminder providing parents with clear information on infectious childhood illnesses in her sickness policy. Children learn good personal hygiene routines. Older children automatically wash their hands and flush the toilet after toileting. The childminder provides visual prompts that promote all children's understanding of the importance of hand washing. Babies and toddlers overall health and wellbeing are promoted well through the childminder following and maintaining their home routines with regard to feeding and sleeping. Children's ongoing health is not fully protected in the event of accident or emergency as the childminder does not

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Helping children to be healthy

hold a current first aid certificate. There are clear procedures in place to ensure parents are well informed of any accidents. Children enjoy healthy food options provided by the childminder, such as chicken casserole, pasta, and roast dinners. They benefit from fresh fruit and vegetables at mealtimes, including afternoon snack. Children's dietary needs are considered fully when the childminder plans the meals. Children develop a greater understanding of healthy lifestyles as they are involved in preparing their own food. For example, they make their own pizzas using fresh ingredients. The childminder encourages children to learn about where food comes from and the benefits of fresh food. Children help the childminder to look after her chickens and enjoy eating their eggs. Children have access to drinks at all times and this contributes to their general health. Children benefit from daily exercise, walking to and from school. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

links with school topics and follows them through at home, such as healthy lifestyles. Children develop physical skills through regular visits to the local park, beach, swimming pool and soft play areas. In the school holidays children visit local places of interest, such as Moors Valley Country Park where they can climb, slide and swing on the adventure playground.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well maintained and secure environment. They can safely move between the well organised play areas. The childminder creates a welcoming, homely atmosphere, where children can choose from a broad range of quality toys and resources. The resources are age appropriate for the children attending. All the

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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 equipment conforms to British standard and is well maintained to ensure its continued suitability. Children learn to use the toys safely, for example the childminder clearly explains why they should keep the cars on the car mat. This maintains safety for all children. Children are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures, which they practise on a regular basis. Their understanding of fire safety is increased through age appropriate story books and talking with the childminder. Children's safety on outings is maintained through the childminder's implementation of effective procedures. Children learn about road safety whilst walking to school. They understand the importance of following the childminder's instructions, such as only running on to the next lamp post. The childminder only uses parks that are safe

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

for the children she is caring for that day. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection and has attended regular training to increase her knowledge and confidence in recognising and reporting concerns. Parents are given copies of her policy to ensure they understand her responsibility in protecting children from harm and neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and content with the childminder. They develop confidence through the childminder's constant encouragement and praise for all their achievements. Children learn and build on existing skills through the childminder's well planned activities. Children's individual needs and interests are incorporated into daily routines and activities. For example, the childminder made a word wall game to build on children's language skills. Children enjoy regular outings, both in the community during term time and further a field in the school holidays. For example, they visit the New Forest, learning about the countryside and Farmer Palmer's, where they pet farm animals, watch them being fed and enjoy a ride on the tractor. Children's understanding of environmental issues is increased as they help the childminder to sort and recycle household products. Children feel valued and included as there are various photographs of them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

involved in a variety of activities displayed on the wall. Children are encouraged to develop their own ideas in their play, for example children enjoy dressing up using a wide range of resources that are available. The childminder actively joins in their play, pretending to be a Viking and later a granddad with a flat cap. She reminded the child that granddad wears a hat like this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well behaved. They show consideration to their peers and the childminder. For example, by actively tidy up the toys without being asked. The childminder is consistent in her approach and actively encourages children through

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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 her continual praise. After the 2-year-old had put the cars away in the box the childminder said " thank you, you are such a good boy". Children learn about taking turns in their play, for example the childminder uses a chicken timer which crows when their time is up. Children learn about our diverse society through projects and themes. They celebrate a range of festivals throughout the year, such as Diwali, Chinese New Year and Mother's Day. Children benefit from regular visits to the library and local children's centre. This helps them gain a sense of community. Children's individual characters are well catered for during activities which the childminder has planned considering their interests. For example, by making a game for two of the children to help them learn the time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. The childminder has devised a range of policies and procedures to cover all aspects of her practice and keep parents informed. She provides a written diary for younger children, which details any outings they have been on. It also includes nappy changes, food they have eaten and activities they have participated in that day. This is in addition to informal discussions on their children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills. The toys and resources are set out invitingly. She uses photographs and children's labels on the toy boxes to support their choices in their play. Toys which are specifically for older children are stored at a higher level, whilst still allowing them to be able to freely access them. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to training. She regularly attends courses and workshops which are relevant, for example a workshop on positive behaviour. However, her first aid certificate has recently expired. The childminder has a range of policies and procedures which help her in providing positive outcomes for children. These are shared with parents to ensure they are aware of her practice. Records are well organised and stored correctly to maintain confidentially. The childminder implements effective procedures to ensure children

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Organisation

are protected from unsuitable people. 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 was set one recommendation. This was to the review the storage of toys to enable children to choose more easily. The childminder has devised a storage system using plastic boxes and shelving. Children have designed labels for each of the plastic boxes. This means any child can see what there is available to play with, increasing the choices in their play.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints 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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve children's health by maintaining a valid first aid certificate

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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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