Childminder in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY293851 Inspection date 01 June 2005 Inspector Yvonne Campbell

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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 2004. She lives with her partner and 2 children aged 4 years and 20 months in Hanham, South Gloucestershire close to Samuel White Infant and Hanham Abbots Junior Schools. The lounge and the kitchen diner of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding 5 children on a part time basis. The childminder specialises in providing out of school care and she walks to the nearby

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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 schools to take and collect children. Pre-school care is not provided at the present time. The family has a cat. Minded children do not have contact with the pet. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have a suitable range of activities to promote their physical development. They walk to and from the local schools under the childminder's supervision and they enjoy the exercise while learning about their local environment. The childminder provides energetic activities such as ball games and skipping enabling children to develop their large muscle coordination and timing skills. Hygiene is actively promoted to create a healthy environment for care. The childminder has satisfactory understanding of harmful effects of bacteria and she has regular cleaning routines such as wiping the kitchen surfaces with anti-bacterial solutions. Children are aware of the need to maintain their own personal hygiene. They wash their hands before snacks and after using the toilet. The childminder makes sure that they have easy access to liquid soap and clean hand towels. Children receive prompt attention to minor accidents which happen during play. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder has completed a first aid course and makes quick assessments of possible injuries. She keeps a first aid box accessible for use. Pets do not pose a health risk to children. The cat has had all the required medication to reduce the risk of feline infections. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating. They have nutritious snacks after school. They choose from a selection of light food such as yoghurt, fruit and sandwiches with their favourite fillings. They enjoy the occasional treat of small portions of popcorn on Friday afternoons when they watch videos. Squash and water are freely available. Children help themselves to drinks from a jugs kept in the kitchen diner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in spacious and generally secure areas. They move freely around the rooms used for minding and they have clear understanding of the room they do not use such as the office. They feel at home and are relaxed as they curl up in the large comfortable arm chairs after school. Children choose what they want to play with from a satisfactory range of play materials appropriate for the older age group. These include resources for art, craft, reading, indoor and outdoor games. Most children have a very good understanding of the safety measures developed to keep them from physical harm. They comply with instructions given by the

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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 childminder who uses risk assessments of the premises to promote children's safety. For example, making sure that it is safe for children to walk under the scaffold at the front of the house. Fire drills are held regularly. Children know the signal to leave the house and they move quickly and calmly assembling at a pre arranged place in the garden. However, some hazards still remain such as: the front door lock is accessible to children and a mirror in the bathroom is not secure. Additional precautions are taken to reduce the risk of injury from vehicles when children are out walking as a group. They are aware of dangers on the road and they practice the familiar routine of walking in pairs, holding hands and looking left and right before crossing the road. The childminder is vigilant and stays close to children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

giving them timely reminders of what happens next. Children are protected from abuse. The childminder has a basic understanding of child protection and related issues. She is aware of some signs and symptoms which cause concern and she keeps accurate records of any accidents and existing injuries to children. The child protection guidance booklet is available for reference if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in the relaxed home environment. They know each other well and have formed a close and supportive group. The childminder makes sure that they are purposefully occupied by planning interesting structured activities to help develop their knowledge and understanding. For example, they enjoy gardening and plant various seeds, learning how to nurture them so that they grow into healthy plants. Craft activities provide the opportunities for children to further develop their creative abilities. They enjoy making flags of various colours and designs. Achievements are celebrated through a display of art-work on a wall and by children taking their work home. The childminder uses a detailed activity book which enables parents to read about the activities that take place during each session. Older children have good support and supervision as they complete their home work.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has established close links with teachers at the local schools who are aware of her involvement with minded children. She makes sure that children have the time and space to do any work requested by the teachers. Infant school children are making good progress in reading. They read to the childminder each day from books supplied by the school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well met through the childminder's flexible approach to care and her strong partnerships with parents. She engages parents in discussion

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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 when they arrive to collect their children, giving general feed-back and inviting their comments. Children who have specific needs are given excellent support by the childminder. They are collected from their homes in the morning and taken directly to school. Those who cannot be collected from the childminder's home by parents are taken home at the end of each session. The childminder provides a suitable range of resources to promote children's understanding of different people in the community and the wider world. Children enjoy craft activities centred on celebrations such as Chinese New Year, St Patrick's Day and the events around Bonfire Night. Children's behaviour is very good. They not easily provoked, polite and helpful to each other and to adults. Minor conflicts which are not resolved amongst themselves

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are calmly brought to the attention of the childminder who acknowledges and affirms their positive behaviour by giving praise and encouragement. Children have a strong sense of responsibility and they happily help to clear away snack utensils and play material. Parents are highly impressed with the quality of the provision. They say that their children are involved in lots of stimulating activities which support their formal education in school. Children are said to be very fond of the childminder and always look forward to being in her home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is familiar with the registration requirements as she has completed the Introducing Childcare Practice course. She continues her professional development by seeking out short courses to improve her knowledge and childcare practice. She has recently completed courses on: working with parents, tax for childminders and fire awareness. She also has British Sign Language Stage 1. The available space is organised well for childminding. Children have allocated areas in the lounge for various activities. Resources are organised effectively to be within easy reach so that children may choose what they want to play with. The kitchen diner is used for cooking, snacks or homework. Adult to children ratio is strictly maintained at all times. The childminder cares for four school age children at any one time. She offers sufficient support and individual attention to each child.

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Organisation

Childminding documents are systematically organised and filed in a working folder for easy to access and reference. All the relevant information about children and their parents has been developed as required. The childminder also keeps clear records of activities and makes these available to parents. She has produced an information booklet for new parents setting out information about her family, the activities provided and her childminding business arrangements. The setting meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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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): • further assess the risks to children in relation to: the accessible front door lock, the mirror in the bathroom and take action to minimise these

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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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