Childminder in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY295729 Inspection date 01 July 2005 Inspector Kay Roberts

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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 first registered in 2004 and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She lives with her husband and daughter, aged 1 year, in a semi-detached house in Downend. The family have one pet, a Victorian bull dog. Minded children have access to the front lounge and the kitchen/dining room to the rear of the house on the ground floor. Bathroom facilities are located on the first floor and the large front bedroom is available for babies who need to sleep. Outside there

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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 are 2 small, enclosed, designated play areas for children close to the house. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years and currently has five children on roll, three of whom are under school age.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is actively promoted. The childminder has undertaken training in both paediatric first aid and basic food hygiene. There are appropriate procedures in place for managing accidents, administering medication and providing suitable care for children who become ill. Regular routines ensure that children are provided with a clean environment in which to play. Children are learning to recognise when their hands are dirty. When covered in glue children comment to the childminder, who passes each children a wet wipe so that they can clean their hands. Cross-infection is minimised by providing individual flannels and drinking beakers. However, this is not always fully effective as children drink from each other's beakers. Children enjoy the healthy, nutritious meals and snacks which comply with parents' wishes and meet children's special dietary requirements. A well-presented sample menu is available

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Helping children to be healthy

for parents. Young babies are cuddled as they have a bottle of milk and settled into a cot for a sleep in a darkened room when they become tired. Regular opportunities are provided to promote children's physical development. When the weather is suitable children play in the garden or visit Avon Valley Country Park for which the childminder has an annual membership. There is space to run around and play or they can explore the adventure playground. If it begins to rain there is also a covered soft play area. At the childminder's home children play outside in the garden and if wet children participate in action rhymes such as 'Sleep Little Bunnies'. Babies are given space to crawl and furniture has been moved to the edge of the downstairs rooms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and confidently move around the childminder's welcoming home. In the playroom there are bright posters and children's handprints displayed on the wall. Children help themselves to the broad range of clean, safe toys and books in the lounge, kitchen/diner and playroom. This is facilitated by the provision of a safe, secure environment where potential hazards have been minimised and the childminder's close supervision. Sleeping babies are protected in cots and physically checked at frequent intervals. As children go up and down the stairs they hold the childminder's hand. Whilst lunch is being prepared babies watch secured in high chairs as they have a drink. Children learn to protect themselves as they are provided with clear boundaries and warned about potential hazards, such as climbing on furniture.

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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 is further promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection following her training in May 2005. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is clear about the procedure to follow should she have any child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and have fun with the childminder. They enjoy copying the movements for action rhymes such as 'Wind, Wind The Bobbin Up' and laugh when the words to the rhyme 'Roly, Poly, Roly, Poly' are whispered. When looking at books, children's interest is sustained as they sit close to the childminder so they can see the pictures. Children lift the flaps to reveal the hidden picture and when children begin to look elsewhere the childminder attracts their attention by asking them a specific question about a picture. Children relate to the accompanying finger puppets. Afterwards the childminder talks to the children about and gives an example of the sounds the pig, cow and sheep make as she gently touches each child on the nose with the finger puppet. There are sufficient finger puppets so that each child is able to handle and feel the texture, they begin to develop finer manipulative skills as the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

puppets are placed on their fingers. Craft activities, such as painting, play dough and sticking also allow children to explore. These are organised on a daily basis and adapted to the developmental needs of the children, for example babies are given a glue stick to explore or do finger painting, the childminder watching closely to ensure it is not put in their mouths. Older children create collages and paint pictures with brushes. The childminder actively encourages children to be social by planning games such as 'Ring A Ring of Roses', organising snacks so that all children sit together and regular attendance at a childminding group. Children play well together, they copy each other and older children demonstrate concern for the babies as they offer the bottle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder's good understanding of each child's stage of development makes children feels special as their individual needs are met, including children's special needs. There is a phased introduction to the setting when children sit on the childminder's lap and are given a high level of one-to-one attention in order to develop a close bond. They are then gradually introduced to the other children and only once children are settled are they taken outside the home. The strong, open relationship between childminder and parents ensures consistency of care. Parents have a clear understanding of the childminder's practices as they are able to view the folder of information and all outings are discussed in advance. Parents are updated on a daily basis about their child both through the detailed daily diaries and 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 The childminder has a strong belief that children should have a broad range of experience. This helps children develop a sense of who they are and to learn about the world in which we live. Children learn about the natural world as they watch birds feed whilst they eat their lunch. There are outings to country parks, Bristol Zoo and Blaise Castle. Photographs taken on such visits are shared with parents and the events revisited as children and childminder talk about the pictures which are stuck in scrap books. The range of resources reflecting diversity, some of which are borrowed from a toy library, help children to recognise difference. To make this subject more applicable to the very young children, the childminder has created her own poster from pictures in magazines. The childminder's proactive approach to be behaviour

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Helping children make a positive contribution

management helps children to behave, share and be courteous. Children are actively occupied so do not have time to become bored. The simple rules, such as the need to share, are explained even to very young children, positive behaviour is reinforced with praise and unwanted behaviour sensitively managed through distraction.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's good organisation. Up to date documentation complies with the requirements of the National Standards and is fully detailed. The well presented folder of policies and procedures ensures parents have a clear understanding of the childminder's practices. Children's progress is monitored in the daily diaries. Planning based on 'Birth to Three Matters' takes into consideration the needs of each child and ensures all aspects of development are promoted through a broad range of fun activities and outings. Organisation of the premises provides children with a welcoming environment with plenty of space in which to play and on the ground floor children can move freely between the lounge, hall and kitchen/diner. The childminder is keen to extend her practice and has undertaken a range of additional training such as creative movement and inclusion. Although training has

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Organisation

been completed on 'Birth to Three Matters' and this is the basis for planning, the childminder recognises that she needs to further develop her knowledge in this area. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 the risk of cross-infection is minimised by only allowing children to drink from their own beaker

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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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