Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281868 Unique Reference Number 23 October 2006 Inspection date Kay Roberts 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 first registered in 2004. She has experience of working in schools and holds a CACHE level 4 teaching assistant certificate. The childminder lives in a two-bedroom terraced home in a quiet cul-de-sac in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire. There is one child in the family aged seven-years. The family have a pet rabbit. Children have access to the lounge and kitchen/diner on the ground floor and the second bedroom. Toilet facilities are located on the ground floor. The fully enclosed back garden is suitable for outdoor play. Registration is for a maximum of three children under eight-years and currently there are five children on roll and of these there are three under five-years.

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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 good health is actively promoted. There are effective procedures for managing both accidents and medication, so that children's welfare is promoted. Children play in a clean environment and know that they should take off their shoes so that the floor does not get dirty. The risk of infection is minimised as the childminder follows hygienic procedures for nappy changing and provides children with individual towels. Parents are aware of the childminder's policy for excluding children who are sick. Children learn how to promote their own good health as they listen to stories, such as 'Topsy and Tim visit the dentist'. The story stimulates discussion about the importance of brushing their teeth and drinking milk. The daily routine helps children to understand that they should wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Young children are able to reach the wash hand basin independently as a small

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has experience of meeting children's special dietary requirements and ensures that there are no additives in the home cooked meals. At snack time children select from a range of fruit and do not go hungry, as they confidently ask for more. Snack time is a relaxed, social occasion when all children sit together and share a story. The importance of healthy eating is reinforced through discussion, participation in games and other activities, for example comparing fresh and dried fruit. When thirsty, children help themselves to their bottle of drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities to play outdoors. They are protected from the elements. In wet weather children wear rain coats and wellies. In summer they do not get burnt as sun screen is applied, they do not go out during the hottest time of the day. Children sit in the shade of the parasol in the garden, as they have a snack. As well as being able to access the garden children regularly visit the park. They walk along the river at Vassall's Park and use equipment such as swings and slides so that physical skills are extended. Indoors children continue to develop large muscle skills as they dance and, jump up and down with both feet. Young children recognise when they are tired. Babies and young children sleep peacefully in a slightly darkened room, in a travel cot, in a bedroom on the first floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are relaxed as they are greeted by the childminder and the toys they selected previously await them in the lounge. At other times children select the toys they wish to play with from the childminder's catalogue. They remain interested in playing with the clean, safe resources as toys are rotated during the day and the childminder uses a toy library. The suitably maintained and decorated home is welcoming to children. Two walls in the kitchen/diner display children's art work and educational posters. Coat hooks are placed at child height which facilitates children's independence as they hang up their own coats. Children are able to move freely between the lounge and kitchen/diner so that they have a larger space in which to play. Children also benefit from direct access to outdoor play.

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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 play in a secure environment and are protected from people who have not been vetted. The childminder discusses with parents who can collect their child. However as details are not recorded in the contracts, there is scope for misunderstanding. The childminder's knowledge of local child protection procedures keeps children safe from harm and neglect. The risk of children having an accident is minimised as the childminder continually checks that her home to ensure there are no potential hazards and closely supervises children. There are rigorous procedures for outings so that children are not placed at risk. In the event of a fire children know how to evacuate the premises as they practise the drill at two monthly intervals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are emotionally secure in the daily routine and, close relationship with both the childminder and her daughter. They are interested in what the childminder's daughter does and copy her as she jumps up and down. Children are curious about her laptop and she lifts them up to see. Children use language to describe what is happening in a picture and confidently chat about what they have done with their parents at the weekend. Children use their imagination as they play with the dolls. Using fine muscle skills they strap the dolls into the buggies and feed them with a bottle of milk. Children select from a wide range of dolls outfits what their dolls should wear and the childminder dresses the dolls according to children's requests. Children's learning is extended as they are encouraged to think about what they may name the dolls. Afterwards they wrap the dolls in a blanket and gently give a kiss. They use

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

hand eye co-ordination to thread cards and some more able children are beginning to recognise the shape of the cards. The childminder encourages children to look around the room to see if they can see any other circles. Children are keen to continue with the threading as the childminder informs them that they are "brilliant". Later when they have completed the threading, proud of their success they ask the childminder to look at what they have done.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to extend their knowledge and understanding of the world as they go on regular outings to places, such as parks, farms and Bristol Zoo. She organises activities where children are encouraged to recognise the roles people undertake by looking at their uniforms. As they do so older children are introduced to the idea that writing has a purpose as the childminder points out that the sign for the crossing patrol officer reads 'STOP'. Older children accurately count eleven puppets. Younger children show an awareness of numbers and are provided with assistance from the childminder as they count the puppets. Children are also given an opportunity to extend their social skills as they attend toddler groups on a regular basis. The childminder is knowledgeable about child development and how to promote children's learning. She plans appropriate, varied activities which are adapted to meet children's individual

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

level of understanding, so that children make good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children new to provision are less traumatised by being separated from their parents as the childminder finds out as much information as she can about children. Babies are reassured as the childminder follows their home routine and as children get older she reads their favourite

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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 stories. Children develop confidence as the childminder listens to what they have to say and praises their achievements. She values and includes all children. For example, when sharing a book, older children read a page and younger children describe what is happening in the picture. The childminder also has some experience in meeting children's additional needs. Children learn from the childminder's example. They are polite, well behaved and able to share. Unwanted behaviour is sensitively managed according to children's level of understanding. A respect for their environment is being developed as children help to tidy away the toys they have finished playing with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the world in which we live through first hand experience. They develop a respect for nature as they visit Bristol Zoo and a number of farms. Children are interested in the childminder's rabbit. Older children learn about the past on outings to Blaise Castle and Bristol Museum. Children have some understanding of the local community as they visit toddler groups and parks. A positive attitude to difference is encouraged as children play with readily accessible resources reflecting positive images of diversity. The childminder explains that people use walking sticks to feel their way because they can not see and that sometimes people have a dog to help them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The relaxed relationship between parents and childminder provides children with emotional security. Contracts are reviewed twice yearly. Parents are aware of the childminder's practises as they have sight of her policies and procedures. On a daily basis parents receive a verbal update about their children. They also have access to children's progress books which include many photographs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is appropriately qualified and keen to extend practice is currently undertaking a level three training certificate in home based child care. The childminder seeks children's views about her provision. They comment on their favourite toys and that the childminder's daughter is their best friend. The childminder provides a safe, welcoming, child focussed environment. Good organisation ensures that children receive a high level of support, are actively occupied and make good progress. There is also a system in place so that children receive appropriate care even in the event of an emergency. Children's health, safety and welfare are promoted as documentation complies with regulatory requirements and the National Standards, although there are no written details about who can collect children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to meet two recommendations. Children are further protected if they have an accident as the childminder has completed training in paediatric first aid. The second recommendation is not applicable, as it related to the environment in the childminder's former home.

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Improvements 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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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.

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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): • ensure there is a clearer system for identifying adult who can and can not collect children.

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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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