Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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154782 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Janet Maria Moutter 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 2001. She lives with her partner and son in Gorse Hill in Swindon, Wiltshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog, ornamental fish and a rabbit.

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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 develop their understanding of good nutrition through the wide range of tempting, home cooked lunchtime meals they enjoy whilst in the childminder's care. Allergies or parental preferences are discussed prior to a child commencing in the setting. Any requirements are recorded and accommodated. Children choose their meal preferences, the childminder asks the children what they would like to eat and they confidently tell her their likes and dislikes, such as no, to cheese and yes, to ham and tomatoes on their pasta. The childminder ensures that all meals are healthy and nutritious. Children are regularly offered drinks in sufficient quantities to encourage them to drink more fluids.

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Helping children to be healthy

Promotion of good health for children is important to the childminder, as they are cared for in a warm, clean home. The children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene and personal care. For example, through regular and routine hand washing procedures before meals and after messy activities. However, all children share the same hand towel. This could lead to cross contamination and adversely affect children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the childminder's care. They have daily chances for fresh air and exercise when walking to and from the local school or when playing in the childminder's fully enclosed garden. In addition, they regularly visit the nearby play park and local soft play areas. During these outings, children have the opportunity to develop their large muscle skills whilst using a range of apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and rest within premises that are clean and maintained. Children are able to visit the toilet independently, which helps them to develop their self-care skills. There are a good range of measures in place to support children's safety and help prevent accidents. For example, hazardous materials in the kitchen are inaccessible to children, the premises are secure and smoke alarms are maintained in working order. There is a written emergency evacuation procedure displayed, and has been practised. The childminder has ensured that the premises are free from possible dangers and will continue to do so, such as during the current loft conversion.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children freely help themselves to a wide range of clean, well-maintained resources, which are rotated to ensure they continue to stimulate the children. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of safety issues regarding the purchase and ongoing maintenance of equipment. Children play with age appropriate toys that are safe and suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is supported by a childminder who has a basic understanding of child protection issues and the correct procedures to be followed if concerned about a child. There are effective arrangements for making parents aware of the childminder's child protection

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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 responsibilities, prior to a child commencing in the setting. Children's well-being is actively promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children appear very settled, relaxed and confident within the setting. They freely make decisions for themselves regarding the activities and resources they wish to explore. For example, the children are engrossed in emptying the cookery equipment box and making play food, such as pancakes, for the childminder. Children are continually occupied. They benefit from the active involvement of the childminder in their play, such as when helping to persuade them to select toys from the wide range on offer. The childminder is well deployed. She is established in her childminding and is still keen to ensure all children receive good quality, individual attention. As a result, children are learning and developing new skills whilst in the childminder's care which includes language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have a warm, positive relationship with the friendly caring childminder. This positive interaction helps children to feel 'at home' and self assured whilst in the provision. Children are encouraged to select and share stories that the childminder reads with them. It was good to see both children take delight in listening with interest, joining in, sharing the familiar responses while sitting on the childminder's knees. Children undertake a range of local outings, such as walks to the local community centre or to the school and to the soft play areas where they meet up with other child minded children and friends. Such activities enable children to increase their awareness of their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as respected individuals. They benefit from the childminder knowing them extremely well, having a very clear understanding of their differing needs and being aware of their home circumstances. They are able to play with a good range of resources, such as books, small world figures and with craft activities downloaded from the internet, this helps them to increase their awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. Their behaviour is supported by a childminder who acts as a very positive role model, is slowly introducing ground rules and has a clear understanding of effective strategies to encourage positive behaviour. Children relate well to each other, are developing their social skills and are learning the difference between right and wrong whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership that exists between parents and the childminder. There are daily opportunities to share children's achievements and to discuss any childcare issues. The children are encouraged to share their achievements of that day with their parents. This positive approach helps to ensure a consistency in children's care. However, extending some procedures to help parents share in them such as the complaints procedure will promote the opportunity to keep parents informed of the current regulatory body Ofsted's requirements.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children cared for by this childminder benefit from her knowledge and skills, which she uses very well. She does her utmost to find out about the needs of children in her care so that she looks after them appropriately. Children enjoy playing in a child-centred environment in which toys and materials are readily to hand. They receive much individual attention because the childminder is generally organised and balances the various demands a family makes on her and her time effectively.

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Organisation

Some required documentation is in place and kept securely, confidentially and readily available for inspection. These contribute to the safe care of the children, as does the close relationship with parents. However, she failed to inform Ofsted of an addition to the family.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection the childminder was given the recommendation to extend her range of resources that positively promote equal opportunities which she has done. This action has allowed the children, in her care, more opportunities to learn about the diversity and needs of the people who share their community.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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 action is taken to minimise the risks to children of cross contamination such as when drying their hands

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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 • make sure all equipment and play areas are safe or inaccessible to 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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