Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

161855 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2006 Inspection date Susan, Esther Harvey Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1985. She lives with her husband in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Most areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five, part-time, and four children over five, part-time, before and after school. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups. The family have no pets.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a spotlessly clean home where they learn very effective hygiene routines and personal care. This contributes to their good health through the careful management of their personal hygiene by the childminder. For example, children independently use liquid soap and paper towels to dry their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder's nappy changing routine includes her own personal hygiene in order to prevent the spread of infection. This entails the use of protective gloves and thorough hand washing.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a current first aid certificate which ensures appropriate action would be taken in the event of an accident. Children with a severe allergy reaction would be well cared for as the childminder has undertaken specific training. Parents are provided with written details of the childminder's sick children's policy, and parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is also provided in writing. Young children are beginning to develop a sense of belonging as they are able to snuggle in to the childminder with ease.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle. They have daily fresh air which is part of the childminder's daily routine. This includes walking to and from school each day, the freedom to play outside if they wish, and visits to local parks. This encourages children to learn about the importance of regular daily exercise.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinking water which is readily available throughout the day. Children relish in preparing their own snacks and creating clown faces arranging vegetables on round bread rolls or savoury biscuits. Parents provide the children's lunch and the childminder discusses with parents appropriate healthy food to add to the box. Older children enjoy preparing snacks for the younger children and making their own tea on returning from school. Children learn about what food is healthy to eat and what is not so healthy, as they record what they have eaten during the day and write it on a 'healthy tree' and 'unhealthy tree'. As a result, children are learning through a practical activity to think about healthy choices.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where toys and resources are set out in the play room ready for children to use on arrival. They have easy access to toys throughout the day which are separated into boxes which are labelled with pictures and words relating to the contents. This enables children at what ever literacy level they are, to make independent choices regarding what they wish to play with.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good selection of toys and resources. For example, a puppet theatre tent and a wide selection of puppets gives the children the chance to use their imagination and entertain the childminder and younger children. The childminder attractively displays children's art work around the play room, and various posters made by children adorn the walls.

p.3

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 Young children have appropriate equipment in order to help them sleep in safety and comfort.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe home where all the risks have been identified and minimised. For example, doors leading from the home are made secure. The childminder has a detailed written fire safety procedure which has been regularly practised with children and the event recorded. As a result, children learn about fire safety and how to evacuate the premises quickly and efficiently in an emergency. The garden is secure, which gives children the chance to play safely while being closely supervised by the childminder.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is enhanced through the childminder's clear understanding of the reporting and recording procedures through knowledge and training. As a result children benefit from the childminder's commitment to protect children from harm.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled in the childminder's care, and are well aware of the routine of the day. They fully enjoy role playing and entertaining others. Children play well together as they build models from small plastic bricks. They laugh and have fun using a selection of bubble making apparatus. Older children are challenged by having the opportunity to choose topics and projects which are available for other children to take part in. For example, the clown topic enabled children to make clown faces on balloons and attach coloured hats. These are on display in the garden to celebrate the achievement. They relish in drawing a poster with a circus arena made up of acrobats and clowns. Children love making clown faces from paper plates gluing tissue hair and colouring in faces. Their number recognition is improved as they colour in numbered pictures of clowns. Children laughed as they paint their face as a clown, and enjoy dressing up.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

However, young children have limited opportunities to take part in a suitable range of activities to enhance their development, as explained in Birth to three matters.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy looking at books and having stories read to them. Children's imagination is encouraged by the childminder as she enables them to recall what events took place from photographs in well-documented albums.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are valued by the childminder she listens intently to what they say. They learn to share and take turns and form a harmonious group. Children learn, and follow house rules which they have written themselves for various areas in which they play. For example, rules for playing football are attached near to the goal post, rules for using the playhouse are fixed above the door, and rules for being kind are laminated and displayed in the play room. All the rules are clear and understood by the children. Young children behave well and are beginning to have a growing awareness of self.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have many opportunities to make a range of choices which empowers them with skills for life. An example of this is in practical ways like preparing their own food, and in personal ways like decision making. Children have access to an excellent range of resources which reflect

p.4

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 positive images of culture and disability, through books, small world figures and posters which they have made themselves. As a result, children learn about diversity in a practical and thoughtful way. Children are well integrated into the setting through the childminder's good organisation of the daily routine. Children learn about the wider community as they visit the library and socialise at various parent and toddler groups. Young children benefit from emotional support and find comfort in being held close to the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent flexible relationship between parents and the childminder. She has a professional approach in keeping parents informed of her service and the time she spends with the children. This includes an exceptionally well documented parent file, written information about herself and the service she provides. Written information about the routine of the day, and when the children have been involved in an emergency evacuation drill is posted on the kitchen and play room wall. New parents are provided with a selection of written information including policies and procedures in a well produced pack. This includes a comprehensive complaints policy which informs parents of the procedure to follow if they have a complaint, and the process the childminder will take in the event of a complaint. The regulators contact detail is on permanent display. There is strong partnership between parents and the

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder. As a result children's individual needs are well met.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Organisation

Children are warmly welcomed into a family environment. The space available gives children the opportunity to freely select toys and resources which are well organised in the areas which they use. The childminder organises her time well both inside and out of the home. All documents are kept to a exceptionally high standard and enables parents to be kept fully informed of the service offered by the childminder. Policies and procedures are maintained to a high standard. As a result, children's welfare and care is actively promoted.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit greatly from the childminder's experience and commitment in furthering her professional development through training to National Vocation Qualification Level 3, attending a variety of courses to up-date her knowledge, and being part of a local childminding network.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that hinges on the play house door are safe or inaccessible. The stable door has been made secure, and children are unable to catch their fingers in the hinge of the door. This has improved children's safety while using the play house in the garden.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no 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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • develop a range a suitable range of activities for younger children as explained in Birth to three matters.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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

p.6