Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY292726 Unique Reference Number 19 September 2005 Inspection date Dawn Biggers 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 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 two children aged two years and five months in the Brislington area of Bristol. All areas of the property are 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five, whom attends on a part-time basis. The childminder uses a vehicle to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the park. The family has some fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of a local childminders support group.

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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. Children learn about good hygiene practices through well-planned daily routines. Effective procedures such as using individual towels for children and anti-bacterial wipes sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. The risk of this is also minimised through the childminder's appropriate procedures, which include exclusion of children who are unwell. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. However the procedures for administering medication may pose a potential hazard to children's health, as written consent to administer non prescribed medication is requested in advance. She manages accidents well and shares the records with parents. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They develop their self help skills, for example, whilst washing their hands consistently throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet and help with some food preparation, for example, making their own sandwiches with choice of fillings. Children are offered drinks throughout the day and develop awareness of their own fluid intake. They enjoy appropriately presented light meals provided by the childminder. Although the childminder is vegetarian other food options are available in liaison with the parents. She takes account of their wishes and the children’s likes and dislikes to provide nutritious meals and healthy snacks that appeal to them and meet their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. Physical play opportunities are available indoors and outside to help them develop control of their bodies, for example trampoline, space hopper and ball games. In addition, walks to school improve children's physical skills and provides plenty of fresh air. All are able to rest and be active according to their needs, for example, during story time and watching some television. Children learn about concepts of temperature as the childminder talks about her body being hot and cold, in regard to the weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe as they move around freely in a sufficiently spacious, maintained home where risks are identified and minimised. These include fitted stair gates, appropriate fire safety equipment and smoke detector checks. Children begin to learn about the childminder's written evacuation procedures, although these have not been practised with them. They learn about aspects of safety being given explanations, for instance, why they should sit and not stand on the chair. The childminder gives priority to maintaining children's safety outside the home. Children begin to learn about road awareness through discussion, they hold hands, the buggy and are closely supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select some activities from a good range of maintained and interesting toys and equipment, within the main play area. However due to the amount of resources and space these are insufficiently organised. Therefore children cannot always see the range or access these

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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 independently and this slightly limits their choices. These are however all suitable for the age and developmental stages of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all of the required documents in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has a satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures and her role and responsibility. She shares her policy with parents and therefore they understand how children are safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled in the childminder's house. They make good progress and are happy and relaxed, because they are provided with a wide range of stimulating free-play activities, one to one attention and support. They confidently enjoy counting and sharing their knowledge of colours and begin to develop awareness of shapes. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of books and activities which appeal to them, for instance they ask for the play dough. Children develop their listening and concentration skills during story time snuggled on the sofa. They repeat familiar words and join in, for example, with we're going on a bear hunt. The childminder effectively maintains their interest and extends their language by asking questions while they play. Children enjoy role and imaginative play with the dolls and pushchair and develop their social interactions with the childminders children. Within the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

close, secure relationship, children enjoy the childminders sense of humour and fun. They express themselves, laughing and respond to these positive interactions, being cuddled and tickled and this increases their sense of wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend their time freely, as well as with organised activities, developing their concentration and independence. For example, they make a book marker out of clay, choosing the shape for their scrap book. Exploration with a good range of creative resources help children represent their feelings and ideas in a variety of ways appropriate to their age. They develop their sensory experiences, hand and eye co-ordination for example, smelling and touching the glitter play dough with banana flavouring and using the cutting tools. The childminder has a good awareness of children's development and provides activities to offer them suitable challenges and lots of stimulation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a selection of meaningful resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, enabling the children to begin to learn positively about differences. For example, she uses some stories, dressing-up clothes and discussion. However these activities and resources are limited in promoting their awareness of diversity in our society. Children are encouraged to talk about recent experiences, such as visits to their grand parents. They develop awareness of the wider world, looking at the globe to identify where their relations live. They learn about the local community as they visit the bakery, park and go on outings to the zoo and beach. Children begin to learn about the living world and how things grow, for instance planting cress

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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 seeds. To date the childminder has not minded a child with special needs, but if asked would discuss their individual requirements with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well in liaison with parents. The childminder provides consistent boundaries and has a calm approach. Children are co-operative and well behaved and show care and concern for others and begin to share. For example, they replace the fallen sock from the childminders babies foot and share their play dough. She uses praise and encouragement well to reinforce good behaviour and this boosts children's self esteem and confidence. They enthusiastically explore the clay, persevere rolling and cutting and imaginatively make sandwiches.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are secure because of the good relationships with parents. The childminder liaises with them discussing routines in meeting the children's individual needs and this contributes to children's well being. The childminders policies and procedures provide information about her services. She informs them of their day through daily discussions and shares their achievements and progress. A scrap book of pictures and photos of recent activities and outings is compiled. Therefore parents feel included in their children's experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease as the childminder organises her time well to give them individual attention. She liaises with parents and implements routines that support the care of them and allows flexibility in meeting their individual needs. The lay out of the play areas enable children to sufficiently access toys mostly organised from the good range available. Therefore children are secure, relaxed, happy and make good progress.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used appropriately and shared with parents keeping them informed about the service and their child's activities and confidentiality is maintained. This promotes the welfare, care and learning of children. However health documentation does not sufficiently promote their wellbeing. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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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 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): • obtain written permission from parents to administer non-prescription medication for each separate occasion • ensure toys and equipment are appropriately organised and accessible to children, within the space available in the main play area.

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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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