Childminder in North Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY288667 Inspection date 16 May 2005 Inspector Deborah Jane Starr

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and 4 children aged 2, 4, 9 and 11 years in Portishead, North Somerset. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently caring for six children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. She attends local toddler groups and takes children to the local sports centre, parks and

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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 soft play area.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted. Children of all ages learn about good hygiene through daily routines. They are helped to understand the reasons why, such as the washing of hands after use of the toilet and after outside play. Procedures which minimise the spread of infection are in place such as the sick child policy and adequate precautions are taken when changing nappies. However procedures in place for the administering of medication are not consistently followed and potentially leave children at risk. Children enjoy a range of regular activities which contribute to their physical health and development. The childminder gives young children good support when learning to walk. She provides a varied range of experiences to promote their increased mobility and co-ordination. For example children use of a low level climbing frame and various sized balls for kicking. Children's fitness is promoted through regular

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Helping children to be healthy

visits to the park, soft play areas ands use of the garden. Flexible arrangements, as agreed with parents ensure that children are able to sleep when tired and rest comfortably, for example when sleeping in a buggy. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of a healthy diet through regular snacks of fruit and vegetables with prepared meals. Drinking water is readily accessible and beakers are frequently replenished and offered to younger children. Children's dietary needs are thoroughly discussed with parents and meals adjusted according to their needs, such as providing meat free meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The layout of the home is welcoming and inviting and children are settled and happy. The open plan ground floor is child focussed and enables children of all ages to self select from the extensive range of high quality resources and toys. This is achieved through low level shelving, well organised storage boxes and the setting out of toys at floor level for young children and babies. Children are protected well from harm. through careful consideration, regular checking of potential hazards and positive actions to minimise them. The regular testing of smoke detectors and the fitting of door stops ensures that children move freely, safely and independently between areas. Children are actively encouraged to become aware of how to keep themselves safe both within the home and when outside. Children are familiar with the evacuation procedures, learn about road safety and know that on outings they must stay within agreed boundaries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure

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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 children's welfare is safeguarded and protected. She has a good understanding of child protection issues and local procedures to be followed and discusses her responsibilities with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, happy and secure within the childminders home. Young children receive lots of cuddles, encouragement and praise which promotes their self awareness and well being. The display of children's work gives them a sense of belonging and children take pride in their achievements. Children proudly display craft activities such as an Easter basket they made in their own homes. The positive relationship between the childminder and the child promotes their self confidence and enables them to begin to explore the world around them and develop relationships with others. For example, young children approach unfamiliar adults such as the visiting inspector. Children make progress because the childminder is aware of each child's stage of development and responds appropriately. Resources such as books are used effectively to ease children's anxiety about unfamiliar social situations such as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

starting school. Activities within the home and regular visits to local toddler groups and places of interest offer children a variety of experiences. They include painting and making cards. Activities such as music, nursery rhymes and stories help young children develop early communication skills. Children's sense of touch and hearing is promoted through the use of different textures such as crinkly paper, bubble wrap and musical instruments. However the childminder has not yet considered how she introduces activities which help move young children and babies forward in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are clearly identified and met. This is achieved through very regular discussion with parents and the adaptation of activities to enable all children to take part. For example by supplying a wide range of different sized brushes which enable all children to participate in painting. The childminder uses everyday activities such as musical instruments, dressing up clothes, different foods and social contacts to provide meaningful experiences for children. These experiences in addition to the good range of resources which reflect positive images, such as books promotes children's awareness of others and helps them develop positive attitudes to the wider world. Children develop a sense of belonging to their local community as they visit places of interest. The childminder's use of encouragement and praise effectively build's children's self esteem. Young children persevere with their developing skills such as walking and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

beam with delight at their achievements. The childminder's calm and consistent

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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 approach to helping children manage their behaviour and the setting of clear boundaries is very effective. As a result children learn to share, are well behaved and are respectful of each other. The close relationship between parents and childminder ensures that children are secure. Parents are welcomed into the home and are fully informed about their child's life whilst with the childminder. This is achieved through daily discussions and the effective use of a daily diary to which both parent and childminder contribute and record the child's activities, for example the time the child wakes up in the morning. Further information is supplied through a comprehensive portfolio, from which parents are given copies of policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at ease within the well organised environment. This inviting home gives children space to move freely, explore and play with toys of their choice. Good management of time and routines ensures that children's individual needs are met, for example, for sleep and rest and the collection of children from pre-school. The childminder plans ahead effectively to ensure minimum disruption for the care of children. For example emergency cover is available from a group of childminders who are well known to the child. Children benefit from the childminders commitment in gaining knowledge and skills through on-going training. For example by obtaining a place on the Diploma in Childminding Practice. Children's wellbeing is promoted through appropriate, regularly updated and well organised documentation which is stored confidentially. The setting meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Non-applicable as this is the first inspection.

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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

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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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): • improve arrangements for gaining written parental permission prior to administering medication. • develop further your understanding of child development and how to plan activities for younger children, for example by using the Birth to three framework.

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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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