Bowdrey, Annette

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311222 Inspection date 10 March 2006 Inspector Patricia King

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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 husband and 2 children aged 4 and under 1 year in the village of Sileby which is situated in the North of Leicestershire. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and currently has two children under eight on roll. She travels to the local school to take and collect children, takes children to local preschool groups and on outings into the local community.

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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 are developing understanding of their personal care and respond positively to the childminder's explanations of how washing their hands before eating, after using the toilet or handling animals, prevents the spread of germs and infection. They frequently put their hands in front of their mouths when coughing and sneezing and respond well when reminded by childminder that this stops germs spreading to others. Children are protected from health risks because the childminder has good systems in place to handle food, promote good hygiene and guard children from the dangers of exposure to the sun's rays. For example, children have their own washing and sun screen equipment and there are clear agreements with parents that children are not minded whilst infectious. Their health and welfare are promoted by the clear systems and records kept to take appropriate action in the event of an accident or

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Helping children to be healthy

emergency and to administer any necessary medication. However, the childminder has not ensured that parents have signed the accident records to acknowledge the entries. Children are learning about the importance of eating fruit and vegetables daily to be healthy and grow strong. Their daily individual dietary needs, personal choice and preferences are established with parents and the childminder works in close partnership to provide a balanced nutritious diet. Children have daily outside play in the garden, weather permitting. They use outdoor equipment to balance and climb, ride on bikes and cars, and play with balls and games. They are taken to the local parks and preschool groups to play on other large physical equipment. Children relax and sleep according to their needs because the childminder plans her home and routines to offer opportunities for rest and quieter times. Children under three benefit from the childminder's informed use of the 'Birth to three

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Helping children to be healthy

matters' framework to offer positive opportunities for children to learn how to become healthy individuals, for example by talking about healthy eating and personal hygiene.

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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 secure, stimulating, comfortable home where risks are identified and made safe. This means that children move around the home safely, freely and confidently making good use of the areas used for childminding, however, the garden is not fully enclosed. They independently select activities from a broad range of quality toys and equipment which meet safety standards and are stored within easy reach. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, they respond well to simple rules about not running and climbing in the home and explain what they have done to behave safely. They are learning to keep safe

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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 outside the home by practising 'stop, look and listen' to cross roads with safety. Children's safety and welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. Children are kept safe when travelling as the childminder has established good systems to use appropriate safety equipment and has documentation to establish the suitability of her transport. The childminder ensures that children are only collected by their parents or named adults by prior written arrangements and children are never left alone with other adults. Children under three benefit from the childminder's informed use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer positive opportunities for children to learn how to keep

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safe in daily activities and routines, such as when out walking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. A substantial range of toys and play resources is readily accessible to children. Careful planning provides them with interesting opportunities to make active choices about their play and promote their learning. Children use their imagination well, for example, they used a range of colourful construction materials to build towers and buildings, responding with pride to the childminders praise for their efforts. Children respond eagerly to effective questions from the childminder that encourage them to develop their understanding of language, such as how many, more, less smaller and bigger. Children's overall development is considerably enhanced because of the childminder's committed approach. For example, children under three benefit significantly from the childminder's informed and creative use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer interesting and stimulating learning opportunities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

appropriate for their care and development. All children flourish in the caring, stimulating, creative environment where they are highly valued as individuals and respond positively to the childminder's consistent use of praise and encouragement. They develop good social interaction and have warm relationships with each other and the childminder's family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into the home and are encouraged to learn about their own and other cultures because the childminder works effectively to promote their understanding. Children's care and welfare is discussed and agreed with the parents, establishing a close working partnership to keep them fully informed and included in the care of their children. This means that the children's individual needs are carefully considered, ensuring that they feel comfortable and confident with the childminder. The childminder shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising health or special needs of a minded child.

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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 Children are learning to behave well and respond positively to the childminder's consistent guidance and praise, which promotes a sharing and caring environment. This gives children the confidence to express their needs, such as a comforting cuddle when waking from a daytime nap. The childminder has established sensible house rules, such as no jumping on the furniture which means they learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled in the childminder's home. This means they have confidence to make choices, express their needs and make good progress in their overall development. Arrangements successfully promote children's, health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Space and resources are well organised to provide children with interesting and exciting experiences to broaden their overall development. Children's welfare and safety is positively promoted by the polices, guidelines and information accessible to parents. The childminder ensures that documents and records necessary for the efficient and safe management of the provision are maintained. All adults in the household have been cleared and the children are well protected from visitors by the childminder's secure systems and procedures. Parents are kept informed and included in the care of their children by daily discussion which means

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Organisation

they can contribute to their child's continued development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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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 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): • take positive steps to promote safety within the setting by making sure that the outside play area is secure and children are not able to leave unsupervised • ensure that a record is maintained, signed by parents, of any accidents.

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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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