Childminder in North SomersetOfsted inspection, 23 Aug 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY300477 Inspection date 23 August 2005 Inspector Deborah Jane Starr

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and child aged seven in Portishead, North Somerset. The whole of the ground floor and designated areas on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed back garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children, one of whom attends on a full time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends local toddler groups and takes children to local parks and library.

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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 health is promoted. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines. They are helped to understand the importance of why they wash hands after use of the toilet and after play in the garden. Procedures that minimise the spread of infection are in place, such as the exclusion of children when unwell and precautions taken when changing nappies. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She is aware of how to manage accidents and the administering of medication, although at times parental acknowledgement is not recorded. Children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their physical health and development. The childminder gives young children good support to develop muscle control for sitting up and provides a range of experiences to promote their increasing mobility and co-ordination such as use of a door baby bouncer, push along baby

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Helping children to be healthy

walker, action songs such as head shoulders knees and toes and opportunities to develop fine motor skills by picking up small objects such as toys and raisins. Physical play opportunities in the garden and visits to local parks help children develop control of their bodies, for example sit and ride toys, frisbees and balls. Walks to school also improve children's fitness and provide fresh air. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs. Children develop an understanding of a healthy diet through a balanced range of snacks of fruit and raw vegetables. They are offered drinks regularly throughout the day. Children's dietary needs are thoroughly discussed with parents, regularly reviewed and adjusted to meet their changing needs, for example moving babies on from food in jars to home cooked fresh foods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe as they move around freely in a spacious well maintained home where risks are identified, minimised and regularly checked. These include, written risk assessments, fitted stair gates and smoke detectors. Children are encouraged to become aware of how to keep themselves and other's safe both within and outside the home. For example older children know that small items could be harmful to young children when left on the floor, learn about road safety and know to stay within agreed boundaries when on outings. Children independently select toys from an extensive range of safe, interesting and high quality resources and toys. These are suitable for all ages and developmental stages of children. The childminder has all required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and protected. These include accident records and systems for the safe collection of children. The childminder has a good understanding

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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 of child protection issues and local procedures to be followed. She discusses her responsibilities with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, happy and secure within the childminder's home. Young children receive lots of cuddles which promotes their sense of well being. The strong bond between the childminder and child promotes their self confidence and enables them to explore and makes sense of the world around them. For instance, young babies look for a favourite toy that is out of view and eagerly look around them when moving from room to room. Children make progress because the childminder is aware of each child's stage of development and responds appropriately. Young children are interested and eagerly explore items such as textured toys and materials and interactive toys with sounds. All areas of the home promote children's learning. For example, wind chimes, wind catchers, mint and lavender are positioned thoughtfully in the garden to stimulate children's senses. The childminder uses everyday activities such as hanging out the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

washing with cloths pegs and shopping trips to develop children's understanding of number, sorting and matching. Activities including nursery rhymes, music and stories help develop language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are clearly identified and met. This is achieved through very regular discussion with parents and alternative carers and the childminder's good knowledge of the children. The display of children's photos, use of family photos as a reference specifically for young babies, use of personal items such as special slippers and responsibility for tasks such as laying the breakfast table develops children's sense of belonging and value. To date the childminder has not minded a child with special needs, but if asked would discuss their individual requirements with parents. The childminder provides a meaningful range of experiences through everyday activities such as dressing up clothes, use of chop sticks to eat meals and musical instruments to promote children's awareness of the wider world. These experiences in addition to resources that reflect positive images such as puzzles and books help

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children develop positive attitudes to others different from themselves. Children develop a sense of their local community through regular visits to toddler groups, shops, library and places of interest such as farms, the zoo and the Empire and Commonwealth museum. Children develop an understanding of the environment by sorting items for re-cycling. The childminder's use of encouragement and praise builds children's self-esteem. Her calm, consistent approach of setting clear boundaries, use of age appropriate

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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 strategies and involvement of children to work out their own solutions is effective in helping them manage their behaviour. As a result children are well behaved and respectful of each other. Children benefit from the excellent partnership between their parents and childminder. Her flexible and accommodating approach ensures that each child's individual needs are met and children are secure. Parents are fully informed of their child's daily experiences and are involved through daily dairies, monthly digital photo discs and individual time set aside at the end of each week to discuss all aspects of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at ease within the well organised environment. The lay out of the open plan ground floor enables children of all ages to move independently and to easily access and self select toys and resources from well organised storage boxes and low level cupboards. Toys for babies are placed at floor level and within easy reach. Routines and flexible planning of the day supports children's development and ensures that children's individual needs are met. For example, babies need for sleep and rest and the taking of children to school. The childminder plans ahead effectively to ensure minimum disruption for the care of children, for instance due to parents working patterns. Children's wellbeing is promoted through appropriate, regularly updated and well organised documentation which is stored confidentially. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • obtain written acknowledgement from parents on every occasion that medication is administered.

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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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