Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 161723 Inspection date 04 April 2006 Inspector Charlotte Jenkin

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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 1996 and lives with her husband and three children in a house in Chippenham. She is registered to care for five children under eight years, and currently cares for four children. The childminder uses the whole house for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family live close to the local school, shops and parks. The family have two cats, some fish and nine African snails.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

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 good. Children are cared for in warm, clean premises. They are encouraged to practise good hand washing routines and the childminder practises good hygiene routines herself, for example, cleaning surfaces before the children eat. Children are not, therefore, at risk from cross infection. Hand drying arrangements prevent the spread of germs, as each child has their own hand towel for drying. All medication records are accurately recorded and shared with parents, and the childminder has liaised closely with the parents of children who have specific medical needs. A care plan has been produced to ensure children's medical needs are fully met and supported whilst in her care. Children's welfare in the event of taking medication is fully safeguarded and their welfare promoted fully. The childminder records all accidents accurately and has an up to date first aid certificate. This means that children's welfare in the event

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Helping children to be healthy

of a minor accident is protected. However, she has not gained written consent for seeking emergency treatment which has the potential to compromise children's health in the event of a serious accident. The sickness policy is formally shared with parents and the childminder acts appropriately when children become ill in her care. Children are not, therefore, exposed to unnecessary illnesses. The childminder gains detailed information from parents regarding children dietary needs and these are respected and well catered for. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices as they are offered healthy snacks by the childminder, for example, raisins, grapes, apples and strawberries. They bring their own packed lunches to the childminder's house and these are stored appropriately in the fridge to protect the children's health. Children have water available at all times and therefore, they have enough fluids throughout the day and their needs are being met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a very good range of physical activities. They regularly go out for walks, as the childminder does not drive, and go for 'welly' walks to the woods, where they have recently found a kingfisher and an owl. Children often visit the park to play on the large equipment, for example, the climbing frame and slide. They visit soft play areas weekly, as well as going to toddler groups, and walks in the locality enable the childminder to encourage the children's physical development well, for example, with young children taking the dolls out in the buggies. Children have access to a good range of toys in the garden that help promote their physical development, including a ball pit, trampoline, tunnels, role play, sand play and buggies and ride on toys. Indoors children enjoy dancing to music and jumping up and down trying to catch the bubbles from the machine. Children, therefore, develop

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Helping children to be healthy

a positive attitude towards physical exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in safe premises, free from risks as the childminder has identified potential hazards and minimised these effectively. Children are, therefore, able to move around the premises with confidence and play in safety. The premises are all secure, which means children are not able to leave unsupervised and access

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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 to the house is monitored. Children learn about the importance of keeping their environment safe, for example, after dancing with the bubble machine on, the childminder reminds the children she needs to wipe the floor so they do not slip over. The childminder also monitors any accidents the children have whilst in her care, and uses these to reflect on her practise and reduce the risks to the children. The childminder has a large trampoline in the garden. which the children are allowed to play on under strict supervision and with parents verbal permission. However, there is no formal risk assessment for it's use or written agreements from parents, which may compromise children's safety and welfare. The childminder has a detailed fire evacuation plan in place and this is practised with the children to ensure their safety

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

is monitored in the event of a fire. Children are cared for in well organised and child friendly premises, where they have plenty of floor space for play, as well as areas for eating, resting and messy play. They have access to a good range of toys and resources that are suitable for their ages and stages of development. These are safe and stimulating and meet the needs of the children. Children are able to select these toys independently and make choices in their play and learning. Children's welfare is fully safeguarded as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. Her duties are formally shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely settled and happy in the childminder's care and eagerly explore the toys on offer, for example, the doctors set, pretend cooking, the train set and the buggies with dolls. They readily approach the childminder for comfort, for example, cuddles, which she quickly responds to and this enables the children to feel secure in her care. They also request activities which she responds well to, and quickly gets down to the children's level to play with them, which helps the children feel confident and to know their needs are being responded to. Children have opportunities to be creative, for example, when dancing, they are able to express themselves and their feelings to music. They begin to make connections with the world around them, for example, playing with the pretend phones and phoning Mummy to say 'hello'. The childminder interacts very well with the children, and this helps promote their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

language development. They are obviously valued and respected by the childminder, who gives the children plenty of attention, listens to them and shows interest in what they are doing and saying. This helps the children develop good levels of self-confidence. The childminder responds well to the children's attempts to communicate their needs, for example, using different tones of voice when tired, and she comforts them. This enables them to know they are being understood and gives them the confidence to communicate further. The childminder praises the children when they do something well, and this helps develop their self-esteem and makes them feel good about themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 organises a good range of activities for the children. They have frequent opportunities to engage in role play, art and craft activities, look at books, engage in imaginative play, play games and have regular opportunities for physical activity. They also have frequent trips out in the locality to explore the natural world and to socialise with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individuality is well respected and their needs are well met as the childminder knows the children extremely well, is aware of their likes and dislikes and fully takes account of their individual circumstances. She is able to ensure all children are included in play opportunities, and that they have equal access to all the toys resources on offer. Children have access to a good range of resources that promote positive images of diversity in their daily play, and this enables them to gain an insight into the lives of others. Children have regular opportunities to explore their local environment, going for nature walks to become familiar with the locality and animals in their environment. Children also have frequent opportunities to socialise with other children, through trips to toddler groups, soft play areas, friends houses and the park. The childminder is able to support the needs of children with special

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Helping children make a positive contribution

educational needs fully. The childminder is a good role model for the children and is very respectful to them, using age appropriate and sensitive methods for managing their behaviour. She engages the children in their play and this means they are stimulated and do not become bored and frustrated, knowing when they are fed up, offering them alternative play activities to sustain their interests. The childminder praises the children when they do something well, for example, when taking turns with the clown game, and this enables them to know when they are doing something well and to learn right from wrong. Children's behaviour is, therefore, good. Children benefit from the solid partnership with parents as their care needs and routines are fully respected as the childminder gains information from parents regarding these. This means children are cared for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder exchanges information with the parents daily, and they discuss

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Helping children make a positive contribution

information such as nappies, sleeps, food the children have eaten and activities they have taken part in. This enables them to discuss any changing routines, and enables the childminder to offer the children continuity of care. Children are able to share their day with their parents as they take home craft items they have made.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are cared for by a suitable and appropriately qualified childminder, who has attended all necessary training. She has also attended various workshops, including,

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 child protection, craft and fire safety workshops, which have enabled her to implement new ideas into her practise, and in turn offer the children new care and learning experiences. The childminder maintains the required ratios at all times and this means that children receive quality adult support. The children are engaged in play as the childminder spends long periods with them, interacting with and supporting their development fully. Children, therefore, appear relaxed and at ease in the child friendly environment, where they have a close bond with the childminder. Most necessary consents are gained from parents for routine activities, for example, photos, outings and transport, which promotes children's welfare and health needs suitably. However, she has missed gaining written consent for seeking emergency

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Organisation

treatment for the children, and formalising a risk assessment and parental consent for use of the trampoline. This has the potential to compromise their safety and welfare. The childminder implements all policies and procedures consistently, which in turn promotes children's welfare, care and learning fully. All required documentation is stored securely and available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the main bedroom is inaccessible to the minded children and to ensure parents sign the medication book to acknowledge medication administered to their children. The childminder has now put a lock on her bedroom door so children are unable to enter unsupervised. Parents now sign the medication book to acknowledge medication given to their children.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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 • formalise a risk assessment for the use of the trampoline, and ensure written consent is gained from parents regarding the children using this • ensure all consents are gained from parents regarding routine activities, including consent for seeking emergency treatment

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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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