Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY236435 Unique Reference Number 25 May 2006 Inspection date Janet Maria Moutter Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her two children aged seven and eleven months in Abbeymeads a district of Swindon, in Wiltshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a full and part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a rabbit.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Promotion of good health for children is important to the childminder, as they are well cared for in a warm, clean home. The children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene and personal care, for example, through regular and routine hand washing procedures before meals and after messy activities. The childminder protects the children from the spread of infection as much as possible by her clear sickness policy that she shares with parents at contract time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through supplemented meals where the children are encouraged to try new and different foods. Children have an age appropriate awareness of healthy foods. For example the children were able to say and give reasons why some meals are good and bad. The children chose from a healthy selection foods supplied by their own parents and regular drinks are available. The childminder works with parents to support healthy eating, and to meet any special dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities to encourage their physical development. There are regular visits to the park and playgrounds to develop their physical skills and extend existing skills. The childminder has a good awareness of the children's different ages and capabilities and is able to provide appropriate play opportunities to stretch them each day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. All children play in a safe environment. The childminder gives careful thought to the provision of suitable equipment for children and toddlers so that they may be included safely in activities both indoors and out. She has appropriate equipment such as stair gates and travelling safely in a double buggy. The older children are encouraged to walk and are closely supervised when walking near traffic, holding onto the buggy with wrist straps.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Indoors, the childminder identifies and eliminates potential hazards well. The children are too young to use the kitchen however; the dangerous items such as knives are out of reach. The babies take meals securely strapped in high chairs and the childminder has introduced child size chairs to encourage toddlers sitting to the table for food and activities. There is good provision of smoke detectors and the kitchen fire blanket is attached to the wall, an emergency evacuation procedure has been practised. Children use safe, clean and well-maintained equipment. Babies play with suitable toys and roll over with plenty of room to move in safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded by the childminder keeping her first aid skills up to date and undertaking relevant training herself. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to 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 benefit from receiving much individual attention in this childminder’s care. Toddlers clearly enjoy a good range of toys which stimulate them and so aid their development. They stare with fascination at reflections in toy mirrors and show pleasure when using sound-producing toys such as rattles. They hear songs, rhymes sung and conversations going on around them, as well as direct speech from the childminder which they are starting to understand and respond to. This means they develop their listening and early talking skills appropriately as they grow. Their early co-ordination skills improve too, as they reach for toys and try to turn pages of the books and even feed themselves with finger foods.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All the children are beginning to learn to share; they relate well to each other and socialise with other minded children. They have a structure to their day that includes regular opportunities for walks, outings to local resources and social contacts at toddler groups. Children remain interested with activities as the childminder actively participates in games, resulting in children wanting to learn and to try new things. The children enjoy exploring a good range of activities which contributes to their creativity such as painting, drawing, and play dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder promotes language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. She listens and responds to their diverse range and emerging vocal communication skills. The childminder is aware that older children need a wide range of suitable toys and equipment and has a balanced range of toys available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children do well in the care of this childminder and have their individual needs attended to. The childminder works extremely closely with parents to find out about their children’s specific requirements before they start with her, so that, for example equipment is available if needed and routines for babies and younger children are followed. Subsequently, parents receive regular verbal information of what their children do and achieve during their time with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children receive equal care and individual attention. They use all resources provided suited to their stage or development including those, such as dolls and dressing-up clothes, that reflect the diversity of modern life. The childminder ensures that the children have regular contact with the wider community through visits to local groups.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children cared for by this childminder benefit from her knowledge and skills, which she uses well. She does her utmost to find out about the needs of children in her care so that she looks after them appropriately. Children enjoy playing in a child-centred environment in where toys and materials are readily to hand. They receive much individual attention because the

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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 childminder’s play is well organised and balances the various demands made on her time effectively.

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Organisation

All required documentation is now in place as the childminder has an up to date register of all the children who attend. She keeps Ofsted informed of the people living in the house. Records and documents are kept, confidentially and readily available for inspection. These contribute to the safe care of the children, as does the very close relationship with parents. Children cared for by this childminder benefit from her knowledge and skills, which she uses well. She does her utmost to find out about the needs of children in her care so that she looks after them appropriately. Children enjoy playing in a child-centred environment in which toys and materials are readily to hand. They receive much individual attention because the childminder’s play is well organised and balances the various demands made on her time effectively.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place, including an up to date register of all the children who attend, which impacts on children's care. Records and documents are kept confidentially and readily available for inspection. These contribute to the safe care of the children, as does the close relationship with parents.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection, the childminder was required to improve the way in which records were kept including the daily registers of children attending, the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and that they are accurate and up to date at all times. Also to ensure that all Children Act Regulations are complied with, particularly with regard to notifying Ofsted of any changes of persons living on the premises. This has been achieved and records now show clearly the times for which the children are in the care of the childminder. Procedures are in place for reporting suspected child abuse and finally Ofsted have been notified of changes in persons living on the premises.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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.

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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

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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): • implement a procedure to ensure Ofsted are notified in writing of any changes to the provision that comply with all Children Act Regulations

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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

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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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