Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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505975 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2006 Inspection date Susan, Esther Harvey 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 has been a registered since 1987. She lives with her husband and two children, one adult, and one aged 13 years in Wanborough. Most of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children part-time under five, and three children part-time over five before and after school. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family have two cats.

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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 are cared for in a clean home where they learn effective hygiene routines and personal care. This contributes to their good health through the patient management of their personal hygiene by the childminder. For example, children use neatly stacked paper towels on which to dry their hands, and a bin in which to place the soiled towel. Children are encouraged to have clean hands before and after eating food, and after playing in the garden. As a result, every effort is taken to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a first aid certificate which ensures appropriate action would be taken in the event of an accident. Parents are made aware of the childminder's sick children's policy, and written permission to seek emergency medical treatment and advice is provided. Young children are able to snuggle in and be cuddled by the childminder when tired. Young children are provided with a safe place to sleep undisturbed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle. They have daily walks to and from school which is part of the childminder's routine of the day. This also includes, country walks and walks to the local park. Young children have access to outdoor play as part of the childminder's planned activities. This gives them spontaneous access to a variety of toys on which to increase their large muscle control. This includes being able to crawl in a confined space through a play tunnel, and the ability to climb in and out of a tent. Young children are able exercise their legs by riding bikes around the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to fresh drinking water which is readily available throughout the day. Parents of young children provide healthy homemade meals. However, light snacks are provided by the childminder for older children. These are healthy and nutritious. The childminder discusses healthy options with the children who are aware of the effect fruit and vegetables have towards building a healthy body.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made very welcome in a family environment. Toys and resources are attractively set out ready for children to use on arrival. They have easy access to clean toys, which are separated out into attractive boxes according to the age of the children cared for at the time. For example, young children's toys are spotlessly clean and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe environment where all the risks have been identified and minimised. An example of this is that doors are locked to prevent children leaving the premises unsupervised. The childminder has practised and devised an emergency evacuation procedure with older children. As a result, they are aware of the route to take should it be necessary to leave the premises efficiently. The garden is secure and gives young children the chance to play safely while being closely supervised by the childminder.

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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 Children's welfare has been enhanced by the childminder's effective understanding of child protection recording procedures. However, parents are not made aware of the childminder's child protection statement of duty to refer any concerns to the appropriate authority. The childminder makes every effort to ensure children are protected from harm should there be any concerns about their welfare and safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and confident in the childminder's care, they are valued and respected as individuals. Young children are becoming playfully engaged and involved in a good selection of interesting toys easily available to them. This includes a box of musical instruments to blow, bang, shake and a ball pool to roll around in among the bright colourful plastic balls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are familiar with the routine of the day and are aware of the toys and resources available to them. Children are happy and content in the childminder's care, and she supports young children's emotional development by giving cuddles and reassurance and responding to the children's needs. The childminder provides an environment for young children to learn social skills, where they enjoy being in her company.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is putting many aspects of the Birth to three matters framework into practise in her care for young children. This includes a wide range of toys and resources to encourage them to learn through play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are fully met by the childminder. She listens closely to what they have to say, and is encouraging to young children. Children benefit the childminder knowing them and their families well. Children learn about diversity through activities and art work. For example, children create a collage of various people in society and identify flags from countries on a world map. They learn about various festivals and have a variety of resources to support their interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the friendly relationship between parents and the childminder. She keeps them verbally informed about the children and what they have achieved during the day. New parents are provided with a variety of written information. This includes a copy of the childminder's agreement detailing what she is to provide and children's personal details. However, the childminder does not have a process in place in the event of a parent complaining about the service she provides. The effective partnership between parents and the childminder enables children to feel well supported.

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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 good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are warmly welcomed into a family home where the space available to them gives them many opportunities to feely select toys and resources in the downstairs area of the house. The childminder is in close contact with young children at all times. She is well organised in her use of time spent with the children. Children gain from the set routine of the day which is a balance of time spent in the home, socialising in pre-school and daily walks. The daily record of children's time of arrival and departure is accurately recorded in the childminder's diary, and her certificate of registration is clearly displayed.

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Organisation

Various documents are maintained in order for the safe and efficient management of the provision. Children benefit from the childminder's experience and commitment in keeping herself well informed by attending a variety of courses.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to establish a written agreement with parents that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements, and that existing injuries are recorded. Ensure that parents provide their written consent for emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure that parents are made aware of the procedures regarding child protection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Parental agreements are now in place and parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is provided. Parents are informed verbally of the procedures regarding child protection, but are not given information relating to the statement of duty to protect children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider was also asked to make sure that ivy and trailing electrical leads are inaccessible to children. The ivy has been pruned and the electrical equipment has been removed. As a result, the leads no longer pose a hazard to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare has been enhanced by the childminder's organisation of records, and children's safety has been improved while using the garden.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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): • ensure parents are informed of the child protection statement of duty to report any concerns to the appropriate authority • ensure a process is in place to include a written record to be acted upon within 28 days in the event of a complaint being made by parents.

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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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