Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY318826 Inspection date 15 June 2006 Inspector Christine Coram

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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 two children aged five and nine years in a residential area of Bournemouth. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a first floor bedroom for children who need undisturbed rest or sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five on a part time basis. She drives to a local school to take and collect children and attends the local parent and toddler

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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 groups on a regular basis. The family have three cats. The childminder is qualified in early years, and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's hygiene is promoted well through a number of good practices. These include making sure that children do not use each others cups, and washing hands before snack. Children use flannels to dry their hands. Each flannel is discarded after use. The cats' food bowls are only placed on the floor when cats are feeding and are out of reach at all other times. The garden is checked each day before the children use it. Children are protected effectively should accidents happen as the childminder has a current first aid certificate and first aid kits in the playroom, car and for outings. She records accidents very quickly and in detail. However, consent for emergency medical advice or treatment is not available for every child. Children benefit from a very healthy diet because the childminder is very keen to provide nutritious food. A lovely variety of meals is planned. All are very healthy and

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Helping children to be healthy

include many homemade dishes and plenty of vegetables. Different varieties of fruit are offered for snacks. Children's need for a regular intake of fluids is met very well. They have drinks water available at all times. Other drinks offered include milk, fruit juice and homemade 'smoothies'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from improved facilities as the childminder has made the ground floor bedroom into a dedicated playroom. Children have easy access to this and can move freely around the areas of the house that are used for childminding. They enjoy a wide range of resources that are readily to hand. They can see and select the toys for themselves. They are kept safe as the many resources are appropriate to the age of children present. Children play with clean toys and play equipment. These are disinfected and washed each week. Bikes are regularly checked and stored in the shed to prevent rust. However, the stair-gate into kitchen is not stable. Children are kept safe because the childminder is conscious of potential hazards, such as children's chairs tipping over, and stays close when the younger children are using them. She stops children from climbing or kneeling on them. Children are kept

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safe from possible harm or neglect because the childminder has a good understanding of the issues of child protection.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities using plenty of appropriate resources laid out for the children to see and choose. Children learn from participating in a range of activities, such as painting, picnics in the park, searching for mini-beasts at the river and sand play on the beach. They are also involved in baking and sometimes help to cook meals. They learn about festivals, such as Chinese New Year, through making appropriate foods. They learn about where their food comes from through growing it in the garden. Children engage in an excellent variety of experiences through very effective planning. This includes themes for the older children. The childminder also plans for the younger children in line with these themes but is suitably flexible to take account of their needs and interests on the day. The children benefit from the activities because the childminder interacts with them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

throughout and stimulates their interest effectively. She tries new ideas and finds alternatives if they are not successful. Activities for children under three are very appropriate to this stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop an open and accepting view of the world through resources that include many positive images of people of different cultures. They learn about the cultures and lives of others through suitable activities. Their individual needs are met. Children's behaviour is managed well because the childminder is calm and positive. She has a good understanding of the children's stage of development. For example, she accepts the lack of ability of younger children to share and quietly encourages understanding of the wants of others. The children are supervised well to ensure that they do not hurt each other or fight over toys. The childminder is firm if asking children to do something they do not want to do. They benefit from her positive and comforting thanks for their co-operating. They respond well to her positive language and frequent praise. Children benefit from the good communication between the childminder and their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents. For example, she uses diaries to communicate with parents and has a positive way of phrasing her comments. This helps to make parents feel included and the child valued. Parents receive good information about the activities, what the child has eaten, sleeps, and what the children particularly enjoyed about their day. Parents are invited to contribute to the diaries and occasionally do. Photographs and children's work are also included. The childminder also gives plenty of verbal information and has an open and supportive relationship with parents.

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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 The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's qualifications and experience in childcare and her commitment to extend her knowledge and training. Their day is well organised and carefully planned. Resources are readily to hand although some items, such as the stair-gate, are not completely safe. Children have plenty of play opportunities because the childminder organises the available space well. The addition of a playroom on the ground floor provides a very useful and accessible space for them. They are supported well and are confident in her care. Records are stored in a confidential way. The information, such as parents' contacts and children's needs, is easily accessed by the childminder, but this is not accessible to others. All records are clear, and most consents are in place. There is plenty of

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Organisation

written information for parents. The childminder fulfils her responsibility to notify Ofsted of any changes. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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): • make sure that all parents give written consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment

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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 • make sure that equipment is safe and secure at all times

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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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