Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY321497 Inspection date 21 July 2006 Inspector Gyatri Rupal

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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 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged three, 11 and 13 in Sandy, Bedfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children from school. She attends the local toddler groups. The family has a number of pets, a dog, fish in a tank and a mouse kept in a cage. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. Currently she is providing care to two children. The childminder supports children

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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 with learning difficulties and is a member of the Nation Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment where they sleep and rest according to their home routine. They enjoy an appropriate range of indoor and outdoor activities which contribute to the development of their physical skills. For example, they play in the garden using a range of outdoor play equipment and go for walks to the local park. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of simple good hygiene through their daily routines as they wash their hands after playing outside and before eating their meals. Children’s well-being is promoted as the childminder ensures the required documentation is in place. She has completed a first aid course so that she can treat minor accidents if the need arises. Children benefit from a healthy diet as the childminder provides nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks. The childminder respects the dietary requirements

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Helping children to be healthy

of each child and accommodates these when planning meals and snacks for the children. Children are learning about a healthy life style through daily activities and discussions with the childminder. For example, they wash vegetables during their imaginative play and they read a book on going to dentist which increases their understating of personal hygiene care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel secure as they are cared for in a welcoming environment where risks are identified and minimised to keep them safe. A number of suitable safety measures are in place, such as a secure entrance door, a safety gate at the bottom of the staircase and electric safety covers being in place. The childminder carefully monitors toys and equipment to ensure the child’s safety. She allows the children space to play and supervises or joins in with their play. Children are learning to keep themselves safe through discussions and they adhere to house rules. For example, they know not to climb onto furniture and not to run around in the house as they might fall. Fire safety precautions are realistically promoted only with the older children so they can gain awareness in an emergency. Young children learn about safety during their imaginative play, for example, as they cook their food they learn

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

they must not touch hot plates as they will burn their hands. Children are protected from harm due to the childminder’s sound understanding of her duty to protect children in her care. However, the childminder has limited understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures.

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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 The provision is good. Young children are settled and happy in the stimulating environment. They develop confidence as they initiate their own play and explore an easily accessible wide range of play resources. The childminder organises a daily routine to meet the individual children's needs. She organises a good range of activities for children to keep themselves busy and develop their learning. Children enjoy taking part in purposeful activities. For example, children use their imagination when painting, building their own train track and preparing lunch when playing with imaginative play equipment. Children have good rapport with the childminder. A close and caring relationship increases the children’s sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Early communication skills are well supported through the childminder's good quality interaction. For example, children learn new words when reading books. They also regularly visit mini musicians where they learn to sing songs which help them develop their language. Young children are developing their mathematical thinking within their daily activities. They count how many animals they can see in the book and how many fish they can see in the tank. Children talk about the colours around them. Older children enjoy a wide range of activities such as making their own patterns on the stones when painting, listening and moving to music and making models using a good variety of art-craft material. This contributes to their creativity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are well met as the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure she follows their home routine. The childminder is proactive in meeting the needs of children with learning difficulties. She is alert to the possibility of children with disabilities and knows how she can help these children to settle. Children begin to understand their own needs and with the childminder’s support become aware of the needs of others. For example, older children help the younger children with their play. Children behave well and respond to the childminder’s clear guidance and praise. Children learn about the diversity through a good range of planned activities, outings to local places of interests and play resources reflecting positive images of culture, gender and disability. Their day is full of experiences which ensure they are making connections

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about their environment and learning. They are learning to be polite and have good manners as they say ‘thank you’ and ‘please’ to others when asking for help. Children benefit from the professional partnership which the childminder has established with the parents. There is a good system in place to share information with parents. A daily diary is used for younger children to inform parents of the child’s daily routine which helps to build a trusting relationship with parents and children. All new parents are given a welcome pack to inform them of the childminder’s practice. However, parents are not informed about the changes in the complaints procedure. The childminder has a calm, positive approach to the children and obviously enjoys her time with them. This endears the childminder to the children who enjoy spontaneous cuddles and praise. There is an atmosphere of harmony within the

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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 home, which contributes to the children's feelings of security and belonging.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and secure in a well-organised environment. They are confident enough to initiate their own play and learning due to well-organised play opportunities. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. Children independently select their activities and play resources. The childminder appropriately uses her skills and knowledge to promote the welfare, learning and care of children. She keeps parents informed of their child's progress and the activities they have participated in which contributes to the continuity of care for children. Most of the policies and procedures are in place and reviewed regularly and shared with parents, although complaints procedure and child protection procedure needs updating. Children are protected as the childminder supervises children closely to ensure their safety. She ensures children are only collected by

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Organisation

parents or the named person who is authorised to collected them. This has a positive affect on the care she provides to the children. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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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 complaint made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaint 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 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):

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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 • develop your practice within the emergency evacuation plan • ensure that parents are informed about the changes in the complaints procedure • ensure that there are clear procedures for action if you suspect abuse, or if an allegation is made against you, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures.

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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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