Brundrit, Heloise Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY313000 Inspection date 19 April 2006 Inspector Brenda Turner

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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 satisfactory. 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 partner and seven year old child. They live in a house in a village near Southam in Warwickshire. There is a school, pre-school and a park within walking distance. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has one cat. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently

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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 minding six children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from infection and are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene procedures. For example, children do not attend if they are ill. They learn to understand simple good health and hygiene practices. For instance, they regularly wash their hands before eating, preparing food, and after using the bathroom. An appropriate system is in place to record the administration of medication, but the childminder does not keep a written record of all medicines administered to children, or obtain the parent's signature to acknowledge the entry. Therefore, children's safety is not fully promoted. Babies’ disposable nappies are hygienically double wrapped and disposed of safely out of the house. Young children rest and sleep according to their needs, daily routines are organised around individual children’s needs. Every child has their own

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Helping children to be healthy

bedding that is regularly washed after use to avoid any cross-infection. Older children learn about healthy living because the childminder talks with them about the benefits of healthy food and exercise. They take part and enjoy regular physical activity. For example, visits to the park and walking to and from school. Children are well-nourished and are offered a variety of healthy meals and snacks. They are encouraged to eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and pasta as the childminder and her family are vegetarian. However, the childminder is happy for parents to provide meals and is willing to cook meat if parents ask. Lighter snack lunches may include cheese sandwiches, baked beans on toast and fresh fruit or yoghurt.

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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, secure and safe indoor and outdoor childminding home. For example, a high latch on the internal front door and a secure rear outdoor area means that children should not be able to leave the premises unsupervised. They use suitable, safe and well-maintained equipment and resources. A comprehensive inventory of resources and equipment is set out clearly in age-appropriate sections to aid easy reference when planning activities. This also records dates when resources are checked and cleaned. Older children learn about fire safety and how to keep themselves safe by reading and regularly practising the displayed fire escape plan. Younger children learn how to avoid accidental injury. For example, a three year old explains why she needs to holds the banister when climbing the stairs. All children move confidently and safely

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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 in and around the setting. They are kept safe on outings because they are closely supervised by the childminder. They learn to follow clear rules when walking to and from school or nursery. For example, walking children hold hands. They do not run ahead and younger children are safely secured and transported in buggies. Children are further safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. They are cared for by the childminder who has relevant knowledge, skills and experience. She has successfully completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice course and is appropriately trained to respond to young children's first aid needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well-settled, happy and confident. For example, a young child shows the inspector around the childminder’s home in an assured manner. She shows where the play resources are stored, where the books are kept and explains what some of them are about. She competently counts nine videos on a shelf and puts them back tidily. Children are involved in a broad range of activities and spontaneous events, which support their development and learning. They are interested in what they do and enjoy a varied range of age-appropriate activities. For instance, gluing, making pictures and cards, sewing and threading. They take turns playing board games and tidy up afterwards. With appropriate adult support they develop their own ideas for games, creative designs, writing and drawing. Younger children become confident to make decisions, explore, investigate and ask questions. For example, a three-year-old talks about her blue bunny. She explains

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

how she put a bunny sticker on him and describes his pink nose and paws. She says emphatically that ‘he is not an Easter Bunny he is a blue bunny!’ Children acquire new knowledge and skills. They respond positively to the childminder who is interested in what they do and say. They are well-supported to follow their own interests, ideas and suggestions. The childminder’s plans are flexible to allow for this. Children make positive relationships across the age-range. Older children show care and concern for younger children. Across the age-range they have their individual needs met. For instance, a young child receives extra practical support when required. Older children respond well to more verbal advice and support, for example, when listening carefully to information, or following instructions where to find things, or how to do things.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for by the childminder who works cooperatively with parents 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 meet individual children’s needs and ensure they are included fully in the life of the setting. As a result all children have the opportunity to take part in all activities, for example, baking, various creative activities, and special events. Regular daily communication with parents ensures that they are kept well-informed about their child’s development and daily care needs. Children are valued and included. They feel a sense of belonging and are at ease in the childminding home. They play well together across the age-range and enjoy a happy relationship with the childminder. Clear age-appropriate rules and realistic expectations support children to understand responsible behaviour. Consequently the children’s behaviour is good. Children learn to work harmoniously with others. They make daily choices and take

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Helping children make a positive contribution

decisions about what they would like to do. This together with positive examples from the childminder helps them to develop self-esteem and respect for others. They begin to become aware of wider society and benefit from local community activities within the village. However, a lack of resources and activities, which show positive images of culture, gender and disability, limits children’s opportunity to experience diversity in the wider world.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a positive attitude to develop and improve her practice by attending relevant training. She appreciates and benefits from the support of the local childminder mentoring scheme for newly registered childminders. Record keeping systems are generally well-maintained to meet individual children’s needs. However, the failure to complete the required children’s medication record, which is a breach of a regulation, has resulted in the overall outcome for children being judged as satisfactory. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children. The adult-child ratio positively supports children’s care, learning and play. Time, space, and generally effective organisation contribute to children’s good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting. Overall policies and procedures work well in practice to ensure the efficient running of the

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Organisation

setting. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Complaints 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 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 have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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 satisfactory. 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 written records are kept of all medicines administered to children and parents sign the record book to acknowledge the entry • provide resources and activities which reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability.

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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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