Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY299782 Unique Reference Number 25 August 2005 Inspection date Timothy Butcher 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 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 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged two and three years, in Clifton, Bristol. The whole of the property is used for childminding, except one bedroom. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding one child who attends on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a toddler group and takes children to the adjacent community area, zoo, local library and other amenities. The family has two cats.

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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 satisfactory. Children begin to learn the importance of good hygiene. For example, children are prompted to wash their hands following visits to the toilet. Children begin to learn to be aware of their own bodies and needs, for example, children are encouraged to wear suitable clothes to go outside and to take clothes off when they become too warm. Children are well supported in learning independence skills for example, the childminder agrees with parents a regime to support a child with toilet training. The childminder then regularly reminds the child and provides plenty of praise and encouragement, when the child asks to use the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are prompted to drink regularly. Children's cups and bottles are on display through out the day and made readily available. The childminder ensures children have easy access to refreshments, when outside on hot days.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has most of the documentation required to meet the health needs of children. She discusses a child's individual medical or health needs with a parent. She has an adequate system in place to contact a child's parent should a child become ill but does not yet use a system for recording parental permission for emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with many opportunities for physical play, exercise and to develop gross motor skills. The childminder ensures children are able to be active both inside and outside of the home, for example through regular visits out to the adjacent communal garden area, where children are able to climb, swing, us the sit-on cars and trikes and run about. Children are beginning to learn the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy life style.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a child-centred home. The childminder has a relaxed attitude to the use of her home for children's play. Children access a sound range of toys confidently, readily making use of the different rooms where toys are kept, for example, using a musical instrument in a child's bedroom or picking out figures from the toy box in the lounge, when engaged in pretend play. Children are prompted to clear toys away once they are finished with and before others are taken out. Children learn to respect toys and property whilst still having lots of fun. There is a low level table and chairs for children to sit at a comfortable height, when engaged in activities like painting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Potential risks are identified and are minimised. The childminder pays close attention to children's safety. For example, smoke detection equipment is in place and the premises are secure. There are safe procedures for the arrival and collection of children. The childminder ensures that children are supervised closely, for example, when in the communal garden. Children are encouraged to climb carefully and to hold on, when using climbing apparatus. Children learn how to use the swing safely and are sensitively introduced to the experience. As a result children

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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 thoroughly enjoy the experience, gain confidence in its use and are not discouraged from attempting something new. Children learn to be safe and to think about the safety of others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of child protection procedures and understand her responsibilities, therefore children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have positive experiences through play. Children make sound progress because the childminder provides a balanced range of stimulating activities and play opportunities that support children's all round development. This includes the opportunity for regular visits to toddler group and to local places of interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the positive interaction with the childminder who encourages children. She enters into children's pretend play and provides creative suggestions. Children use their imaginations, represent their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. For example, children clearly enjoy the experience of a pretend paddling pool in the lounge, when it is not possible to experience the real thing outside. Children jump on and off of a large cushion shouting 'splash' and squealing with delight. A child asks the childminder to hold her hand when engaged with other children in pretend play 'at the doctors'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to express choice and can relax or be active in accordance with their needs and interests, for example, a child chooses not to take part in a painting activity on offer, preferring to play with 'Tele-tubby' dolls. Later she uses a bean bag to sit and rest quietly. The childminder makes some use of opportunities to include counting and naming, so that children build and extend their knowledge in these areas. Children show enthusiasm and clearly enjoy their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated with respect. They have their individual needs met well because the childminder works closely with parents. The induction procedure and other processes ensure that the needs of children are readily identified with parents. As a result children are relaxed and settle in quickly. There is an on-going exchange of information with parents. This usually takes place at the point of collection or delivery. The childminder is flexible in the service that she provides, supporting children's continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about diversity through everyday play. The childminder has an adequate understanding of equality issues and provides some opportunities to support children's experience of diversity, for example, through the use of a multi-cultural playgroup. The childminder has yet to develop her toy and other resources within the home that fully support her equality of opportunity practice and as a result children's experiences are potentially impoverished.

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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 Children experience a warm relationship with the childminder. Children are well behaved and respond well to the positive support and guidance provided around sensible boundaries. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of children and resourceful in finding resolutions to minor upsets before they can escalate, for example, by use of simple explanation about the need to share the swing, for children to take turns and by suggesting that the dolls also might like a turn on the swing. Children learn to share and to find compromise.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time, resources and space well to meet the individual needs of children. Children experience a balanced range of activities and play opportunities, in a welcoming and supportive environment. They appear to be happy, settled and making sound progress.

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Organisation

The care and well being of children is adequately supported through the use of the majority of documentation that is required. Parents are consulted and most consents are sought. However, the record of permission for emergency medical treatment is not held. Some other permissions have been verbally gained but not all recorded. This has the potential to undermine the care and well being of children.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it 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 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): • ensure permission for emergency medical treatment is sought and the outcome recorded

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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 • ensure prior permission is sought from parents before taking minded children out, for example, when using the communal garden area and before using a vehicle to transport minded children • extend further the range of toys that promote children's experiences of diversity

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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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