Childminder in Bedford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY313224 Inspection date 20 July 2006 Inspector Paula Jane Hayhow

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, six and one year in the village of Wootton, close to Kempston and Bedford, in Bedfordshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding together with a bedroom upstairs used for sleeping young children. There is a fully enclosed garden and a park available for outdoor play. The local schools and shops are within walking distance. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children over five years, after school only. She does

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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 not provide overnight care. The childminder can attend the local toddler groups if required. The family has a rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They are well nourished and their health is promoted due to the childminder's good understanding of healthy eating. They are offered nutritious snacks which are plentiful, wholesome and low in salt and sugar. The children have the use of the fruit bowl which offers many different options such as pears, banana, peaches, oranges and grapes. The childminder discusses individual dietary requirements with parents and keeps an accurate record of these so that the needs of all children can be met. The children are given clear reasons why they need to wash their hands before snacks and after touching the rabbit as well as the importance of healthy exercise. The children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She provides appropriate activities and supports the children well so that they have

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Helping children to be healthy

confidence to try out new skills and experiences. Children participate in a wide range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for outdoor activities, such as playing in the well equipped garden with trucks, climbing frame, swings, monkey bars and balls, helping children develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills. Indoor activities such as drawing, sticking, using cooking implements, puzzles and construction toys promote children's fine motor skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and generally safe environment and are therefore able to move around independently and freely. The childminder is aware of risks, both in and out of the house, and has taken steps to minimise these, for example, she has actively taught the children the basic rules of road safety and stranger danger and regularly carries out fire drills. However, children's safety could be compromised as they have access to hazardous items such as trailing wires, the iron, glass bottles and sharp knives. Children use safe resources and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are easily accessible and stimulating. They are able to independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder sensitively supervises the children’s choice of toys and activities, ensuring that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of learning. The children's welfare is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

promoted through the childminder having all the required procedures and documentation in place. These include a current first aid certificate and an effective understanding of child protection procedures.

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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 are very confident, settled, and interested in their play. Their independence is fostered well as they happily make choices about toys, books and activities. They enjoy a wide range of play opportunities that covers all areas of development and encourages them to explore and learn about their environment. These include alphabet and guessing games, play dough, puzzles and books. Children's activities also include craft work such as junk modelling, collages, sticking and cutting where the children make pictures out of glitter to reflect the beach or cut out train shapes. Lively discussions are encouraged and the childminder makes sure children's feelings are appreciated and respected. The children have a good relationship with the childminder who uses her knowledge of child development to provide and adapt activities so that they are stimulating and promote children’s learning, ensuring that all children spend their time purposefully.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Themes and discussions such as the seaside and holidays are encouraged and the childminder aids the children in their understanding of the environment through use of reference books and creative activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to feel valued because the childminder ensures that she is aware of their individual needs and she is able to meet these consistently. The children's daily routines allow time for snacks, play and interaction with the other children and the childminder. The childminder has a positive relationship with the parents keeping them well informed of their child's progress through the use of daily dialogue and a portfolio containing the childminder's qualification and insurances. The children show care and affection for each other, playing together and learning about sharing and turn-taking. Older children are gentle with younger ones, often picking up their dropped toys and being careful when they are around the swings or craft mediums. The children's behaviour is good and they are confident within the childminder's home, contentedly making choices about their play. This is further

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Helping children make a positive contribution

reinforced by the childminder's good understanding of the importance of setting consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children. They show a good understanding of the ground rules and are consistently given clear explanations by the childminder, who encourages them to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Children's knowledge and understanding of other cultures and ways of life is generally promoted. The childminder provides a range of resources and activities to increase their understanding of this, for example carrying out research in to the Egyptian way of life through references books and discussion. However, resources are limited with regard to different cultures and disabilities and this could restrict children's understanding and knowledge of this area.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises all aspects of her work effectively, helping the children to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home. They are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning. The children's overall development is promoted because the childminder pays attention to detail in the planning and organising of her daily work. This ensures that children are always offered a wide range of stimulating activities and that all are able to participate. The children's safety and welfare are promoted as the childminder has most of the relevant paperwork in place. However, she does not consistently enter the arrival times of the children in the daily register and the permissions for taking photographs, administering sun tan cream and for seeking emergency treatment are not consistently sought and this could possibly lead to misunderstandings between parents and the childminder thus jeopardising their relationship.

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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 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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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that children are safe and cannot access the wires on the floor, the iron, glass bottles and sharp knives • extend children's play opportunities to promote an awareness of the diversity

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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 of different cultures and disabilities • ensure that all permissions such as those for administering sun tan cream, seeking emergency treatment or advice, for the taking of photographs are consistently sought and the attendance register is filled in as soon as children arrive.

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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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