Childminder in Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY296671 Inspection date 13 June 2005 Inspector Claire Sheldrake

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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 satisfactory. 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 8, 12 and 13 years. They live in a terraced house in Bridgwater. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under five all day and 2 children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group on a regular basis and takes children to the local

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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 park. The family has a dog and a rabbit. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. .

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a range of activities contributing to healthy growth and development. Each day they are involved in outdoor play, allowing them to experience large movements and extend their co-ordination skills, for example crawling through a tunnel, bouncing on a trampoline and riding a bike. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are beginning to learn the importance of hygiene routines and personal care through play. They care for the dolls, wiping their faces with baby wipes after feeding them and changing their nappies. Children enjoy discovering what food they have in their lunch box. They become independent in choosing what they would like to eat first, the childminder introduces a variety of fruits to complement the meal. The children are able to take time to eat and benefit from the social occasion of sitting together at the breakfast bar.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have adequate space to play in the well maintained and welcoming extension. They enjoy the freedom to choose indoor and outdoor play encouraging their independence and allowing them safe access to a variety of activities throughout the day. Children play with safe and suitable toys and equipment, these are in good repair and meet the developmental needs of the children present. However, the toys and resources for older children do not provide sufficient variety and challenge. Toys are set out in an appealing way and children are confident to self select. Children are kept safe during physical play in the garden, on large equipment such as the trampoline and in the ball pool. Through supervision of the children the risk of potential accidents is reduced.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are interested and well occupied by the activities that are available.

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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 They are involved in choosing the toys and are keen to join in, especially in the tent and tunnel set up in the garden. There are a variety of creative activities on offer for the children, and they enjoy seeing their work displayed around the playroom. A home corner is set up in one area and the children have fun making cups of tea, playing shops and feeding the babies in a high chair. The children have a lovely time threading beads, they talk about the colours and the shapes and are delighted at the necklace they have made. This activity encourages the children to develop their fine motor skills and improve co-ordination. The children benefit from the good support and interaction with the childminder, they hear reassuring comments like "aren't you clever" and "look how you've done that",

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

whilst they play. In the garden the children enjoy the element of surprise and anticipation during a game of hide and seek. The younger child is supported to help himself hide and to understand the concept of staying quiet and out of sight.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with equal concern; they play together, and are learning how to share toys and show respect for each other. The childminder interacts well with them, encouraging them to feel valued and secure in her care even though they have not been with her for long. The children have a limited selection of toys and resources available to help them learn about culture, religion and the world around them. However they have the opportunity to learn about themselves and caring for others, by helping care for the pet rabbit and with the role play. The children are learning about acceptable behaviour, and are beginning to respond to the consistency provided by the childminder, however some of the behaviour seen was at times quite challenging.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder holds a certificate in first aid and food hygiene and is looking to become involved in the Sure Start network to access further training. Children's attendance is recorded appropriately to ensure their safety and well being, further records for accident and medication are available, however they have no entries. Children have sufficient space to take part in all activities, and to follow the daily routines of sitting, eating and playing together. There is an organised feel to the day, which provides children with an opportunity to play indoors and outdoors in a

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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 supervised environment. Overall the provision meets the need of the range of children whom she cares for.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • improve activities and resources for older children • improve resources that positively reflect equal opportunities

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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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