Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

219653 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2006 Inspection date Diane Mary O'Neill Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and one child aged 13 years old in Shefford, Bedfordshire. The whole of the downstairs is utilised for childminding, this includes the living room, dining room, kitchen and the conservatory. Two of the first floor bedrooms are used for sleeping minded children. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years, one over five years and eight over eight years during term time and some school holidays. The childminder is within walking distance of local amenities and schools. The family has no pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn to understand the importance of good health and hygiene practices which are well promoted due to the childminder’s effective knowledge and understanding. For example, the children are encouraged to regularly wash their hands before and after meals and after using the toilet. The childminder further promotes this practice by ensuring effective procedures are in place when taking the children on outings, so ensuring their health and hygiene needs are met. The children learn about the importance of washing their hands to get rid of germs, this is achieved by the childminder doing an experiment. The children had a spice mixture put on their hands and then they had to make them clean. Photographic evidence of this helps with the children’s learning.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has completed a recognised first aid course and has sound knowledge to support any practices she may undertake in the care and welfare of the children. The children’s health and well-being is maintained thorough the good documentation used by the childminder to support her practice.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy snacks and drinks which are taken within the daily routine. The childminder takes account of parents’ and children's wishes and provides snacks that are nutritious and appealing in line with any dietary requirements. The children are actively involved in cooking activities which enhance their learning. For example, making flap jack.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills through a range of physical activities both inside and outside of the childminders home. For example, they walk to local parks and travel further a field to visit different play areas. This encourages them to develop and explore their physical skills and gain control of their bodies. The childminder provides good play opportunities that support children well so they gain confidence to try new physical play experiences.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe environment. The childminder has effectively identified and minimised the risk to children by the regularly checking of equipment, toys and premises. The children are encouraged to let the childminder know if equipment is faulty, this helps them learn about keeping safe. The childminder has a clear system in place for practising emergency evacuation procedures, so enabling children to learn what to do in an emergency situation and keeping themselves and others safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have good access to all areas within the childminder's home enabling them to have a variety of stimulating, fun play experiences both inside and outside. They access equipment easily, which enables them to have choice and independence. The equipment is rotated on a regular basis to ensure children have good access to play and learning experiences, through the resources and activities made available to them.

p.3

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 childminder has a good awareness of her responsibility to protect children in her care and has clear policies and procedures in line with updated guidance. This enables her to continue protecting children in her care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are very secure and happy in the childminder’s home. There is superb communication and effective interaction between the children and the childminder where excellent relationships are being formed. For example, when the children were making ‘Flubber' mixture to play with, the childminder sat with them talking and encouraging discussion and conversation about what they could feel and what it looked like. This enables them to have fun in exploring texture, consistency and developing their investigation and communication skills. The children were completely absorbed and enjoying this activity.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent opportunities to make choices for themselves as they easily access extensive resources within the childminder's home. For example, they enjoy playing with small cars in a special set. Older children are encouraged to complete their home work before joining in activities. All children have superb opportunities to extend their play through trips out within the local area such as, going to the park and woods, to explore the environment and to increase their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's professional understanding of child development supports children’s learning and play. Although not minding any children under the age of three years, the childminder has comprehensive knowledge of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and is able to plan and organised activities for very young children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are effectively beginning to learn right from wrong through positive interaction from the childminder. They are very familiar with the routines and have a clear understanding of the house rules. They have all worked together to devise and achieve this. Children receive praise and encouragement as they complete tasks which helps to build their self-confidence.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children come from different backgrounds and are all warmly welcomed into the childminder's home. She has training and experience of working with children with learning difficulties and disabilities so is able to offer care for a wide variety of children. Children have good opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through well planned activities. For example, they learn about carving pumpkins and the tradition connected to them. They play games which look at the world as well as, making games up that come from different countries, such as learning to 'limbo dance'.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is effectively promoted through a good partnership with parents and carers. They are warmly welcomed into the childminders home, where daily information is verbally shared, to keep them fully informed about their children's care. However, the childminder was not aware that she is required to maintain a suitable system for the recording

p.4

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 of any complaints or concerns raised by a parent. Therefore this may compromise effective working partnerships.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder keeps an excellent standard of records on the children in her care. This includes comprehensive policies and procedures and information about individual children's needs which are available to parents and carers. All significant information is recorded, demonstrating that children are provided with a stimulating and exciting routine offering sufficient challenge to their development.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder offers the children a extensive variety of play and learning experiences. The excellent resources enable children to reach all areas of their development as well as challenging the more able children. An annual photographic record is kept of their involvement in a variety of activities both inside and outside, clearly demonstrating children's enjoyment.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder is dedicated to her role in caring for children. She is keen to undertake further training enabling her to continue to offer excellent care and play experiences to children.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that hazardous plants were inaccessible to minded children. These have now been either removed or cut down to ensure children's safety and well-being. The childminder was also asked to improve the range of policies to include child protection and health and safety. The childminder has produced clear child protection and health and safety policies, to ensure children are protected and safely cared for.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 there is a system for the recording of any concerns or complaints raised by parents.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6