Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY243369 Unique Reference Number 29 August 2006 Inspection date Beverly Anne Self 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 2003. She lives with her partner and son aged two years in a residential area, which is situated in the Whitchurch area of Bristol. The whole of the house is 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 a maximum of five children at any one time when working alone, and a maximum of seven children when working with an assistant. She is currently caring for five children under five years during the day, and one child over five years after school hours. All but one of the children attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children, and she regularly takes children to local toddler groups and the park. The family have a pet tortoise.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 have healthy food and drink. They have easy access to drinks which are kept out at all times so that they can help themselves, and they bring packed lunches which are suitably stored until required at lunch time. The children are also offered regular snacks with a choice of fresh fruit or a biscuit. The children are starting to recognise their own needs with regard to food and drink, and confidently ask the childminder for a snack when they are hungry.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children follow effective personal hygiene routines, such as washing hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. The children independently wash their hands with gentle reminders from the childminder. They use liquid or bar soap when washing their hands, although all the children do share the same towel for hand drying. Therefore, the spread of infection is not fully prevented.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and well being is actively supported by the childminder implementing a sick child policy, which reduces the risk of the spread of illnesses. The childminder holds an appropriate first aid qualification and maintains a well stocked first aid box. This enables her to give children immediate and emergency care in the event of an accident or requiring first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical skills and access to fresh air are good. They regularly visit the local park and have access to a secure garden, where they can enjoy outside play. The children choose when they want to play outdoors and show good control of their large muscle movements as they bounce on a trampoline, use swings and a slide, push themselves along in ride in cars and dig in the sand pit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very child orientated environment, where they play in a dedicated playroom which is colourful and welcoming. They have safe access to an extensive range of toys and resources that are stored in open shelves around the playroom. The toys are attractively displayed and some are set out as a home corner with table, chairs and a play kitchen, and as a market stall with fruits and vegetables. This makes the environment inviting and exciting for the children, and encourages them to choose for themselves what they would like to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is a high priority. They benefit from the childminder having an excellent understanding of safety issues, both within the home and when taking children on outings. By using her own regular risk assessment and daily checks of the house, the childminder has taken positive steps to help ensure the children's safety. For example, the premises are secure, stair gates prevent children's unsupervised access to upstairs and socket covers are fitted to exposed electric points.

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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 The children learn about safe practices through basic house rules, such as no jumping on the furniture and no running indoors. This enables the children to start making safe choices for themselves. Clear instructions and explanations from the childminder inform the children of potential hazards around them. She shows them how to use small tools like scissors safely, and the children regularly practise a fire evacuation so they understand how to act in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is further enhanced through the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of child protection recording and reporting procedures. This ensures that children are safe in the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have an extremely good rapport with the childminder, who exudes a genuine warmth and interest in their well being. She constantly interacts with them, for example, talking to them as they play and including them in conversations. This makes the children feel valued and gives them a sense of belonging. The childminder makes sure that she is always close by and regularly joins in with the children's games and gives help when it is required. She also instinctively knows when to allow the children to play on their own and experience things for themselves, for example, letting one of the children persevere and roll out the play dough on his own.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are very happy and settled when with the childminder, they use their imaginations and make their own role play games. They tell you "I'm a postman", then go into the garden together with their own bags full of letters and proceed to deliver the letters around the garden and to each other from their 'post bags'. The children enjoy lots of creative activities and are very enthusiastic when the play dough is put out. They tell you what they are doing stating "I can roll it", and "mine's orange". They also want to tell you what they have made, such as, "I made a duck, it goes on a pond" and "I made a dinosaur". The children show a great sense of achievement; they are proud of what they have made and are pleased with themselves when they discover a new skill like making the play dough press work.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enthusiastically take part in the different activities offered and they love sharing books and stories with the childminder. They sit together and look at the 'funny face' book, copying the faces in the book and looking at a mirror page to see what face they have made. The children avidly watch each other’s faces and take their turn, laughing and smiling at each other as they obviously enjoy this interaction.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an excellent awareness and understanding of children's individual needs and supports them very well. Basic plans are devised every two months, which are based around themes and topics, for example seasons and celebrations. These take into account the children's ages and stages of development and provide a good range of stimulating activities to promote children's all round development. The childminder is using the Birth to Three matters framework effectively, as she regularly observes the children and uses these observations to monitor the children's progress and plan for their next stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop an awareness of the community they live in and the wider world. They regularly attend toddler groups and visit places of interest within the local area to learn about their surroundings. The childminder actively researches information about the cultures and beliefs of others, she shares this with the children as they celebrate various festivals throughout the year. The children also use a wide range of resources in their play to support diversity, including dressing up, play food and utensils, puppets, dolls, books and puzzles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience, and currently cares for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. She is aware of the importance of gaining knowledge of children's individual needs from parents, so she can provide any specific care that may be required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. The childminder has set clear boundaries for them and is a good role model, being respectful to the children and calm in her manner. She praises the children for good behaviour, and uses stickers and certificates as incentives and rewards. This positive re-enforcement enables the children to learn right from wrong and feel good about their achievements, as they play co-operatively together and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops a good partnership with parents and cares for children according to their wishes. In addition she provides parents with an information file showing her training certificates, the daily routine and all her policies and procedures. However, the details in the complaints procedure are not up to date. Parents are kept well informed of their child's care and progress, through daily diaries, discussion with the childminder at the end of the day and a notice board in the playroom. This helps to promote good communication and continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are welcomed into a warm, child friendly environment, where the space is efficiently organised to provide opportunities for them to play and relax. The childminder prepares well for the children before they arrive to keep them safe, and plans the day around their interests and care needs. The children are well cared for, as the childminder is effectively organised in her routines and employs her assistant to be present, so children receive good adult support to feel valued and secure.

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Organisation

The childminder has in place all required documentation, records, policies and procedures which help her in providing positive outcomes for children. However, the daily attendance record does lack necessary detail. Children's records are regularly updated and information is kept confidential, whilst easily accessible in case of emergencies. The childminder’s provision meets the needs of the range of 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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, it was recommended that the childminder make safe the low protruding metal points on the ornamental gates in the front courtyard area.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Now, if the front courtyard area is used for play, the childminder suitably covers the metal points, so they do not pose a risk to the children. As a result, children's safety has been improved.

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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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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): • provide parents with up to date details with regard to the complaints procedure • maintain an accurate record of children's daily attendance

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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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