Childminder in Bristol

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY320735 Inspection date 21 July 2006 Inspector Flo Griffin-Taylor

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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 January 2006. She lives with her daughter, aged 13 years, in a second floor flat in the Bishopsworth area of the city of Bristol. The hallway, lounge, kitchen/dining area and bathroom are used for childminding purposes. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under the age of eight years at any one time. She is currently minding in total nine children, all of whom are over five years, and attend on various days, either before school, after school or during holiday periods.

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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 The childminder lives within easy distance of community facilities and main travel routes. Local and nearby amenities that are regularly used include parks and recreational play areas. She owns a vehicle and uses her car to take children out on occasional visits and outings around the surrounding area. She also delivers and collects children from a neighbouring primary school. The family have one pet, a guinea pig. The childminder has a Level 3 qualification in play work and is a member of both the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and the Bristol Association of Neighbourhood Day Care (BAND).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted through well established daily routines and good practice. The childminder ensures that kitchen surfaces and other washable areas in the home are cleaned regularly, including all play items and equipment. She holds a current first aid certificate, and manages minor accidents well. However, children may not be fully protected in the event of a more serious accident, as written permission has not been sought from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder is aware of the procedures with regard to the administration of medication. All records are shared with parents. Risk of infection is further minimised through children being excluded if they are sick. Good attention is given to children's personal hygiene. The childminder helps them to develop a positive understanding of health issues. She talks about the reason for

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Helping children to be healthy

washing hands and the importance of preventing germs from spreading. Children are encouraged to adopt good practices, such as washing hands before eating, after messy play and outdoor activities and using the toilet. Children also demonstrate a good understanding of their bodily functions, for example, if they become hot, they will take off their jumpers or tops, and ably show initiative in regard to their toileting requirements. Children are involved in a broad range of enjoyable activities which contribute to their all round health and assists them in gaining good physical skills. Their fitness levels are maintained through daily exercise, which includes walking, visiting parks, play grounds/recreational areas with age appropriate climbing equipment, where they can also participate in group games and develop a range of skills using bats and balls. All are able to rest and be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through encouragement given by the childminder. Drinks are frequently on offer and fresh fruit is provided daily. The childminder takes full account of the wishes of parents and of children's individual preferences and choices. She ensures that dietary needs are met and that children eat healthily. She has a good understanding of food hygiene and has undertaken a training course in this area. Meal times are enjoyable social occasions,

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 with children sitting down together at the family dining table. They are able to eat and discuss together different foods and textures in a relaxed and unhurried way. They use good manners and are encouraged to be independent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe in the warm, welcoming, and inviting environment, which is arranged and organised to meet children's needs. Furniture is placed to the sides of rooms, as appropriate, to maximise the space available for play. There is a strong child centred focus in the lounge, together with the dining area in the kitchen, which have been especially set up as the main play areas. Children move around freely and independently. They are encouraged to self-select play materials and resources from the good range of provision on offer, all of which are clean and meet safety standards. Many items are stored in easily accessible tubs and stackable boxes, so as children are able to readily and enthusiastically help themselves. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choices, ensuring that play items are appropriate to each child's stage of development. She gives high priority to helping

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children understand how to keep themselves safe and to ensuring their personal safety, both inside and outside the home. She talks about road safety, the danger of traffic and being alert to potential hazards. Children are aware of the emergency evacuation procedures. Fire drills are undertaken and written fire procedures are in place. Children also know that when out in the community, and on visits, they must stay close together and within near view at all times. Children are well protected and their welfare safeguarded and promoted. There is suitable and appropriate safety equipment in place, for example stair gates, a smoke detector and a fire blanket. The childminder has identified potential hazards within the premises and minimised risks. Children's freedom is maximised. The childminder has a good knowledge and clear understanding of child protection issues and has attended training sessions in this area. Children are closely supervised at all times

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and are never left in the care of other adults who are not vetted. She is clear as to the procedures to follow should concerns be noted, and shares this information with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well, have fun and enjoy being at the childminder's flat. They have a strong sense of belonging and are happily and actively occupied. They enter confidently, are relaxed and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular visits to local parks, recreational play areas and community resources. Children make good progress because the childminder has a clear understanding of each child's individual stage of development. She knows them well, including their specific interests, and plans effectively to support them in their learning. She is able

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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 to observe their progress and adapt activities that further challenge and sustains their interest. She gives them time to do things for themselves, to find out, experiment, and offers constant encouragement so that they become more independent. For example, completing a board game and building models from construction sets. Some activities are occasionally planned around a particular season of the year, such as during the spring or summer time, and include linked ventures/visits around the local and surrounding area. These visits are then followed up with art and craft activities and children's work is placed on show. Children are enthusiastic, self-assured and their interest is well sustained. The childminder also actively participates in games, resulting in children wanting to learn and try out new things.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They choose with confidence from the good range of toys and play resources available, that are either set out in readiness prior to their arrival, or easily accessible. Children enjoy the varied creative activities on offer to them. They eagerly participate and take an active role in music, movement, role play and baking, through encouragement given by the childminder. They keenly explore the texture of clay, paint, glue and craft materials, to create their own imaginative models and artistic pictures, producing colourful patterns, prints, designs, greeting cards and collages. The childminder effectively promotes their reasoning and conversational skills by asking relevant questions. Children confidently and ably use their language skills to communicate their thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. Children are proud of their achievements and the pieces of work they produce. These

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are much valued and discussed with parents, and placed on display.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed, valued and respected as individuals. From the start, the childminder works very closely with the children and parents to make sure that their interests, abilities and requirements are taken fully into account. She has a clear understanding of their needs and offers each child a high level of support. All are included so that no child feels isolated and activities are adapted as appropriate. Children learn about the wider world and the diverse society in which we live through observation, looking at books and general discussion. However, there are only a few toys and resources on offer, these in particular relating mostly to young children under the age of five years, included in everyday play to further promote positive images of culture, race, gender and disability. Children learn about their local and surrounding environment as they visit places of interest such as Hengrove Park, as

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Helping children make a positive contribution

well as regular visits to local parks, recreational play areas and community resources. There are effective arrangements in place to care for children with learning disabilities. The childminder sensitively and carefully discusses children's individual needs and routines with parents, to ensure that she provides the necessary support to enable them to participate fully. Children respect and understand that some children need extra assistance and willingly support those who do. This contributes to children's overall well-being and understanding of other's needs. The childminder provides calm, clear and consistent boundaries, with lots of praise

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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 and positive encouragement. Confidence and self-esteem is promoted and children respond well. They play co-operatively together, are polite, well behaved and show care and concern for others. A written behaviour policy is in place. Children are happy and secure. There is a strong, close and effective partnership between the childminder and parents, based on mutual trust and respect. Parents are warmly greeted and welcomed into the home. Regular and ongoing two-way discussions take place, so that both parties are aware of what is happening in a child's life, and of all progress and achievements. Art and craft work completed is kept for parents to take home. Any specific concerns relating to the children are discussed confidentially, and an agreed strategy plan adopted, with continuity of

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children make good progress and are at ease in the inviting, relaxed, homely and well organised environment that the childminder provides. They move happily and freely around, without being inhibited, and confidently help themselves to toys and resources they wish to play with. Independence is encouraged. The childminder is caring and conscientious, with well established routines in place that enable her to provide a high level of support. It also ensures that maximum quality time is spent playing with the children. Children's welfare is promoted through the well presented documentation in place, the sharing of records and the maintaining of confidentiality. Most of the necessary parental permissions have been obtained, with the exception of written consent for emergency medical advice or treatment. Paperwork is regularly reviewed and updated, together with the policies and statements of procedures in place. The

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Organisation

childminder is currently in the process of devising a written profile on the services and activities on offer, with the addition of some further policies to add to the folder. Daily verbal communication takes place with parents to keep them well informed about all aspects of their children's care, progress and the activities undertaken. This all contributes to the children's well-being and continuity of care. The childminder also takes opportunities, as appropriate, to attend some training sessions to increase her knowledge and skills and improve her practice and provision. This demonstrates her commitment to providing good quality care to the children she minds. 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.

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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.

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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, so that children are protected should they have an accident. • extend resources to provide positive images that further children's understanding of diversity.

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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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