Childminder in Central BedfordshireOfsted inspection, 3 Apr 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 219850 Inspection date 03 April 2006 Inspector Paula Jane Hayhow

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and adult child in the village of Stotfold close to Baldock and Letchworth in Bedfordshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding together with a bedroom upstairs used for sleeping young children. There is a fully enclosed garden and three parks available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, of whom four are under five years of age. All the

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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 children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder does not provide overnight care. The local schools and shops are within walking distance. The childminder attends the local toddler groups. The childminder holds the Diploma in Pre-school Practice qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well nourished and their health is promoted due to the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. She encourages wholesome snacks such as a choice of five fruit, carrot sticks or muesli bars. Meals are cooked using fresh ingredients and sugar options such as sweets are not offered. The childminder discusses individual dietary requirements with parents and keeps a record of these so that any particular needs of the children can be met. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained home. Their health is promoted well as they learn about good hygiene procedures such as washing hands after using the bathroom, putting their hand over their mouths when coughing or disposing of tissues correctly. However, their health could be compromised as not all children have a medication or accident sheet in place. Children participate in a wide range of physical activities, contributing to their good

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Helping children to be healthy

health. The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for outdoor activities, such as walks to school or playing in the park on the climbing frame, swings, slide, or participating in team games such as football, jumping and skipping events. This helps children develop control of their bodies, building on their coordination skills to improve their physical abilities. The younger children are beginning to understand their own physical needs, for example, they know when they need a drink or a rest. All children are able to participate in the activities because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She provides appropriate activities and supports the children well so that they have confidence to try out new skills and experiences.

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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 and safe environment and are therefore able to move around independently and freely. The childminder is very aware of risks, both in and out of the house, and has taken steps to minimise these. She has an informal hazard check daily and two thorough risk assessments weekly. The safety of the children is enhanced by the procedures she has established such as checking the smoke detectors regularly and by teaching the children the basic rules of road safety and fire evacuation. However, children's safety could be compromised as the car insurance does not state it is covered for business use and the children have access to hazardous items such as the kettle and debris in garden.

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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 The children use very safe resources and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are stimulating and appropriate for the age and developmental stage of the children. She has a monthly buying programme linked to the latest hobby or interests the children have or to the children's particular level of understanding. Children are able to independently select activities from a range of quality toys and equipment. The childminder sensitively supervises the children’s choice of toys and activities, ensuring that they are safe and appropriate. The children's welfare is well promoted because the childminder has the required documents in place. She holds a current first aid certificate and has a good understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident and settled. The children's independence is fostered well as they freely make choices about toys, books and activities. They have built up excellent relationships with the childminder who joins in enthusiastically with their play and demonstrates that she thoroughly enjoys their company. They also have opportunities to socialise with other children through regular attendance at the local toddler group. The children enjoy a varied, stimulating range of activities including imaginative play, crafts, music sessions, building, outdoor play and telling and acting out their own stories. Their overall development is promoted and they are encouraged to explore and extend their knowledge because the childminder has a good understanding of child development and the 'Birth to three matters'. She has a child care qualification which enables her to carefully consider and plan a broad range of activities to cover

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

all areas of play. She has individual achievement sheets on the children which she uses when planning these activities. Children are offered activities and play opportunities that are thoughtfully adapted by the childminder so that they are sufficiently challenging but children are able to meaningfully participate. The childminder is particularly good at responding to all the children's questions and interests. The children are therefore given clear reasons and explanations, increasing their understanding of their environment and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures that she is aware of the children's individual needs and ensures that she meets these. The childminder has a positive relationship with the parents keeping them well informed of their child's progress through the use of daily dialogue, achievement charts and an informative portfolio. She also works with the children to make scrap books, containing examples of their play and photos of their activities. The children show care and affection for each other and the childminder, playing together and learning about sharing and turn-taking. The older children often help the younger ones by

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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 collecting their toys or playing gently with them. Their behaviour is good and they are confident within the childminder's home, contentedly making choices about their play. This is further reinforced by the childminder's understanding of the importance of setting consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children. The childminder appreciates the importance of providing a range of activities and resources to promote positive images of society and increase children’s understanding of this. The children are learning about their local community on routine outings to the local parks, toddler group, library, shops and the river to feed the ducks. The children are learning about the wider society through projects work which includes the celebrating of different festivals. The children are gaining an

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Helping children make a positive contribution

understanding of other cultures as they learn about Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year and Divali.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises all aspects of her work well, helping the children to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home. They are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning. The individual needs of the children are effectively met by the childminder through her procedures to ensure that she has all relevant information on the children. She regularly discusses and reviews this with the parents. However, children's safety could be compromised as some permissions are not consistently sought and this could possibly lead to misunderstandings between parents and the childminder thus jeopardising their relationship. The permissions referred to are those for transporting the children on outings and for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice. The children's emotional and physical development is well promoted through the childminder's attention to detail in planning and organising her daily work, which

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Organisation

ensures that children are offered a wide range of stimulating activities and opportunities and that all are able to participate. Overall, the needs of the children who attend are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked at the last inspection to obtain knowledge on what action to take in the eventuality that an allegation of abuse is made against her or her family. The childminder has a procedure in place. She would inform Ofsted and document all issues in a confidential book. She would resolve any issue with the parent, if it were a misunderstanding, but is fully aware of her responsibility and the procedures needed to protect children in her care. These measure will further improve the children safety, welfare and security.

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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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that there is business use within the car insurance and make sure the children cannot access the debris in the garden or the kettle • ensure that there is a medication and accident sheet for every child • ensure that there are written parental permissions in place for every child for the seeking of emergency treatment and for transporting the children.

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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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