Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY290221 Inspection date 07 July 2005 Inspector Anne Legge

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and 18-month-old son, in a cottage on the outskirts of Gittisham, near Honiton. The ground floor of her home is used for childminding, as well as a bathroom on the first floor, and a bedroom for sleeping babies. An area of the garden has been decked and a fenced grassed area has been created for the children to use. The childminder is registered to care for up to five children, but currently has only two children on roll. She has a relevant child care qualification and experience of working in day nurseries. There are no pets in the house, but the family own dogs, turkeys, chickens and pheasants, which live in outbuildings, at the end of the garden.

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 good. Children are protected from infection by the childminder's good hygiene routines. Her home is clean and tidy, and she implements effective cleanliness procedures, such as making sure that nappy changing is hygienic and that the sand tray is always covered. She also ensures that children's hands are washed appropriately, before they eat, or after they have played outside, or with messy materials. Children are well cared for when they are unwell or injured, as the childminder has a current first aid qualification and good procedures for looking after, or excluding, children who are ill. Their care is consistent, due to effective procedures for recording accidents and administering medication, and for sharing these records with parents. Children benefit from healthy eating, as the childminder provides nutritious snacks, such as fruit and rice cakes, and their parents supply balanced meals. They have

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

plenty of fluids, as drinks are always available, in their individual beakers. Children have many good opportunities to be physically active. They crawl or toddle around the house, or play in the garden, enjoying wheeled toys or digging in the sand. They also visit the local park or walk to see the animals at the end of the garden.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a comfortable family home, which is safe and secure, and where space is well-organised, to offer a good variety of play opportunities. Children use different areas for quiet activities or floor play, or they engage in active or messy play, using the ample space offered in two rooms. The garden has been carefully adapted to provide a safe and enclosed area for children to play. They choose from an excellent range of toys and resources, which are appropriate for their ages and in very good condition. Children are kept safe, due to the childminder's very good understanding of all safety issues and her regular risk assessments. She addresses all hazards, such as by using safety gates, or completely enclosing the children's part of the garden and barricading the steps. Children are protected in emergencies, by her well thought-out evacuation procedures. Children are protected from harm, due to the childminder's good understanding of all

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection issues and procedures, her experience while working in a nursery, and relevant training.

p.3

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 Children engage in an excellent variety of activities, which are carefully planned to meet their needs. They enjoy plenty of sensory play, using treasure baskets of objects made from different materials and textures, or playing with cornflour and water, or sand. They develop their creativity by using paint or crayons and they engage in imaginative play with small world toys. They improve their communication skills by singing songs, sharing stories or responding to the childminder's challenging questions. They develop their manipulative skills by building towers, and begin to learn about numbers by counting bricks or cups as they build. They learn about nature by going for walks in the countryside and looking at animals and birds. Children make very good progress while in the care of the childminder, due to her

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

clear understanding of their development, and the skilful way in which she talks and plays with them. She has begun to use the Birth to Three framework, to plan appropriate activities and to promote their development in all areas.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from consistent care, as the childminder works closely and effectively with parents, to meet their needs. She takes time to learn about children's home routines and preferences, and to settle them in her care. She has excellent systems for communicating with parents, including home books, which give clear details of all aspects of the child's day, so that parents can be fully involved. Children's care is personal and individual, due to the childminder's excellent understanding and her commitment to knowing and meeting each child's particular needs. They use books which promote positive images of cultural differences, but the childminder does not yet have a range of resources for this purpose. Children begin to learn about right and wrong, as the childminder gently teaches them to respect each other's needs, such as when one child does not want to be cuddled by another. She uses positive and appropriate strategies, explaining or

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

distracting, and praising children constantly for good behaviour. Children enjoy warm and affectionate relationships with her, and feel secure in her care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a competent and well qualified childminder, who has relevant experience of working with children, in a nursery. They benefit from her commitment to constantly updating her practice, by attending appropriate courses or using relevant resources, such as the Birth to Three framework. They enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences, due to her good organisation of space and resources, both indoors and outside. They receive excellent individual attention, as she currently minds only one child at a time, together with her own child, and she strives to meet each child's individual needs. Children's care is underpinned by effective policies and procedures, copies of which

p.4

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 are given to parents when their child first attends. Good communication between parents and the childminder, and appropriate sharing of documentation, such as accident records, ensures that children receive consistent care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children in her care.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.5

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): • continue to develop resources and activities which promote children's understanding of individual and cultural differences

p.5

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

p.5

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.5