Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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510849 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2006 Inspection date Deborah Page 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 registered since 1996. She lives with her two sons aged 17 and 14 years in Poole. The lounge and a first floor bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The family have a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years and is currently minding five children on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and The Poole Childminding Network.

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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's health care is well fostered through the childminder's good policies and procedures implemented to protect children from germs. This includes regular hand washing with bottled soap and disposable paper towels, and making sure eating areas are clean using anti-bacterial solution. However, children's independence is not supported well in hand washing as they are lifted up by the childminder to enable them to reach the wash basin. Children are protected from cross infection with the good procedures the childminder uses to change nappies, such as, wearing disposable gloves and cleaning the changing mat for individual children. Children's best interests are considered when they are not well. A written sickness policy is shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the healthy options provided by the childminder at snack time, such as, a selection of fresh fruit. Drinks are accessible at all times. The childminder has attended food hygiene training which ensures appropriate procedures are followed in the preparation and storage of food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted well with regular opportunities for children to exercise and receive fresh air, such as, outings to the park, beach and forest. Children also have opportunities to develop their larger muscle control by using equipment, such as, a slide, parachute, see-saw, bicycles, bats and balls, and bean bags.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are well protected from harm and kept safe. A thorough risk assessment has been completed and most safety precautions are in place including safety gates, socket covers and padlocks. The childminder is vigilant about safety and is able to identify potential hazards and address them immediately. Children are protected as appropriate play equipment is well maintained and regularly checked to ensure it is safe. There are good fire safety precautions including an escape plan which is regularly practised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Well organised outings contribute to children being protected. When visiting the beach an area is cordoned off and children wear bright coloured shirts and wrist bands including an emergency number. There are good procedures in place to ensure children are safe in emergencies. These are agreed with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's good understanding of child protection issues contributes to children being safe from harm and neglect. The childminder has attended training and is confident in child protection procedures. A written child protection policy that is shared with parents covers most aspects of child protection.

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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. The children are happy and settled in their play. There is a good variety of activities provided by the childminder, such as, opportunities for children to explore different textures of materials as they use collage resources. Cotton wool, foam pieces, tissue and stickers are included in the selection of materials for children to stick on to a picture of a teddy bear. The childminder shows the children their name that is written on their picture. One child chooses to apply their own glue and manages to use the glue stick. Another child is prevented from tasting the materials. Numerous other creative examples are available in a scrap book. The childminder reported the children also have opportunities to create their own designs allowing them to freely explore other materials such as paint.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are well supported by the childminder. One child shows pleasure in walking on their own and they are praised and encouraged in their achievement. Due to this the child shows confidence and tries again.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children feel happy and secure as the childminder shares a book with them. She gently shows them how to access different pictures. She encourages them to take turns and share. One child is eager to have another go and is excited and shouts 'me.' The children enjoy finding the pictures and giggle. Good interaction is provided by the childminder as she names the creatures in the pictures and makes the relating sound, such as, a bee. The childminder praises the children for their achievement and sharing with each other. Children are safe and secure with cuddles and continual interaction from the childminder. Reassurance is provided by the childminder when activities change.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of equal opportunity issues. She discusses the needs of individual children with parents and respects their wishes. The settling in procedure for new children is adapted to meet the needs of the child and their parents. This opportunity is used to discuss how the child is cared for. Children's understanding of the wider world is promoted by the positive images of different cultures available in play equipment, such as, utensils, play people and books. The childminder has a very positive attitude to caring for children with specific needs. She has a good understanding of managing behaviour and uses appropriate methods for the child's age and stage of development. The childminder is positive in her approach to behaviour and regularly praises and encourages the children. She also encourages good manners, for example, when a child is handed a drink the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

reminds them of the "magic word." Appropriate procedures are in place to record behaviour incidents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents. Parents are well informed about the provision. Information is shared with them about the childminder as well as various policies and procedures. There are informal discussions with parents about children's daily activities. Written agreements and various consents have been agreed and signed by parents.

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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 is pro-active in developing the provision and her understanding of child care issues by attending regular training. The children are settled and happy in the care of the childminder. The childminder has informed Ofsted of significant changes, such as, a recent house move. The space is used well and appropriate measures are taken to ensure children's safety, although a review of practices is required in the bathroom to fully promote children's independence.

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Organisation

Good procedures are in place to protect children. They are supervised at all times. Required documentation is available and well maintained which contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to consider keeping written records of the children's progress and development. She also agreed to make sure medication records had clear evidence of parental consents to administer medication. The childminder introduced communication booklets to share with parents, however, the system has not worked. The childminder respects parents wishes and regularly verbally shares information with them about the progress of their child. Parents are kept fully informed about their child's development. The medication records have been reviewed and it is clear that parental consent is obtained before the administering of medication. Therefore, parent's instructions are clear and ensure children are not at risk.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • review practices to ensure children's independence is fully promoted

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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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