Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315978 Inspection date 10 April 2006 Inspector Valerie Button

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and three children, one of school age and two of pre-school age. They live in a three bed-roomed semi-detached house in the rural Devon village of Woolsery. The childminder is registered to work with her husband as an assistant and may care for a maximum of three minded children at any one time. There are ten children currently on roll. The first floor of the house is not used for minded children. On the ground floor children have access to: the living room; the kitchen/dining room; the conservatory;

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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 and a shower and toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden, to the front, side and rear of the property that is suitable for outside play. The family have a pet dog. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group, and is able to take and collect children from the local school. She is also a voluntary member of the committee for a local pre-school. She does not provide overnight care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, well organised home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care, for example, knowing that they must wash their hands before beginning a cooking activity. Their health and welfare are both supported well because the childminder gives good attention to recording necessary information, for example, on medical conditions or allergies. The daily routine includes good opportunities for children to be active, for example, the garden has a variety of play items and climbing apparatus. The childminder has clear understanding of the requirement to maintain a medication record and accident records are meticulously maintained. Whilst parental permission is in place for the childminder to administer basic first aid to children, this has not been adequately extended to enable her to seek advice or treatment in an emergency situation. Children benefit from the provision of healthy meals and snacks. They have ready

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Helping children to be healthy

access to drinks throughout their time at the childminders. Children are encouraged to increase their fluid intake and reminded of the importance of this.

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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 welcoming, clean, well-maintained home environment. The outside play area is also very well used. Play resources are plentiful, both indoors and out. These are clean, well maintained and appropriate for children's varying stages of development. They are organised so that children are able to access items for themselves. Children's safety is supported by the childminder and her assistant's careful supervision of the children, indoors and out. Many measures have been taken to ensure the premises are safe, for example, a detailed emergency evacuation plan has been produced and children regularly practise the procedure; the kitchen area is inaccessible to children and the premises are secure. Some ivy is beginning to grow again in the climbing area of the garden: this poses a risk to children. Climbing equipment is extensive and includes a tree house, a slide, a swing and a trampoline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Parents have given written permission for their children to use these items. Currently, work is being undertaken to add to the safety surface, made of bark chippings; to

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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 further develop the tree house and to re-site the trampoline and climbing equipment. The childminder has agreed to undertake a careful risk assessment of the area, once work is complete, to ensure that all is safe and sited away from hard surfaces. Children are well protected. The childminder has the necessary child protection guidance on file and has attended two short training courses, in order to ensure that her knowledge is secure and that she knows the correct procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the provision of a very good range of resources for their use and enjoyment, both indoors and out. They are able to access these freely, in order to make meaningful choices. There is plenty of fun in learning and children are active learners. They benefit from discussions with the childminder and, for example, counting activities, whilst at work and play. Story sessions are enjoyed and adapted for the different ages of children attending. A varied day is planned and provided for the children's learning and development, for example, based on a Spring and Easter theme. However, plans are flexible to allow for children's own preferences to be acknowledged, for example, the planned nest-making activity outside was postponed because children wanted to do other things; this task was later accomplished indoors. The guidance document 'Birth to Three Matters' has recently arrived at the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder's home. It was agreed that this would be used to further develop activities and practice with under three-year-old children attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed. Their company is much enjoyed and they respond well to plenty of praise and encouragement. Children receive good levels of support as the childminder and her husband work in partnership together for some of the time. Good attention given to seeking and recording information about the children's individual needs helps to ensure that these are well supported. Children are encouraged to discuss events and good explanations are given to develop their understanding, for example, about children in other countries. Children benefit from good behaviour management. Explanations are given and children are encouraged to consider the needs of others and to share and take turns, for example, in using the wheelbarrow or the cooking utensils. Good attention is given to recording particular incidents and ensuring information on these is shared and discussed with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Working in partnership with parents clearly contributes to the children's well being. Scrapbooks of children's work are kept and newsletters are produced. There is a very good, detailed procedure for recording complaints and for sharing concerns raised with parents. The childminder has shown a very positive attitude to

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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 dealing with a complaint and has addressed recommendations raised.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. They are cared for in a home where all adults have been suitably vetted. The environment is well organised and children benefit from the good spaces available for play, both indoors and out. Information on the times the assistant childminder has sole charge of the children is very clear. Children benefit from the calm, organised approach of the childminder. Regulatory documentation needed to underpin the care and safety of the children is comprehensive and well organised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration Ofsted has received one complaint. A concern was received on January 6th 2006, in relation to National Standard 6 (Safety), that children were playing unsupervised in the garden, which had a trampoline. We wrote to the registered person requesting they provide us with a report. A review of the report identified that the National Standards continue to be met. However recommendations were made to improve practice regarding the risk assessment to the use of a trampoline. The registered person remains suitable for registration. 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):

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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 • ensure that written parental permission is requested to seek emergency medical advice and treatment if necessary • further develop practice through use of the guidance document Birth to Three Matters • conduct a risk assessment of the outside play area when the relocation of the climbing equipment is completed; ensure that climbing equipment is sited away from hard surfaces; remove ivy growing in the garden.

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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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