Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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161907 Unique Reference Number 06 March 2007 Inspection date Susan, Esther Harvey 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and two school age children in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Most of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding five under five part-time and two children before and after school. She is also registered to care for one child overnight.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local childminding group as well as a parent and toddler group.

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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 are cared for in a clean home where they learn effective hygiene routines and personal care from the childminder. For example, children are reminded how to wash their hands well when visiting the toilet; through the use of pictures, displayed in a prominent position in the bathroom, and gentle reminders from the childminder. Young children independently wipe their hands and face after eating food. This contributes to their good health through the diligent management of their personal care by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a recent first aid certificate and accurately records any accidents. Parents are made aware of the childminder's written sick children's policy. Parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is provided for all children. This ensures that appropriate action will be taken in the event of an emergency. However, children would gain from the childminder increasing her knowledge of notifiable diseases, in order to report effectively to Ofsted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a very healthy lifestyle. They have daily exercise as part of the childminder's planned routine of the day. This includes walking the dog, visits to soft play centres, local arboretum, local parks and music and movement activities. This enables children to learn about the importance of regular daily exercise while taking part in fun and interesting activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are given the opportunity to choose which snack they wish to have, from a range of different fruit; such as banana, apple and kiwi fruit. The childminder provides a well-balanced menu for parents to see and for children to choose from, should a meal be required. Children are reminded of the importance of healthy and nutritious food, though discussion with the childminder and pictures giving ideas about great ways to eat five pieces of fruit and vegetables a day. As a result children are learning to make healthy choices for themselves.

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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 and stimulating environment. Toys and resources are attractively set out in the play room, ready for children on arrival into the home. They have access to an outstanding selection of toys and resources. Many are stored in plastic boxes and rotated each week to give children different play experiences. For example, children have easy access to a good selection of jigsaw puzzles. These hang from a rack in clear plastic folders, so that children can identify the puzzle picture they wish to complete. Young children remain undisturbed while sleeping as a safe place is provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe home where all the risks have been identified and minimised. For example: doors leading to the home are secure; children learn about fire safety as they are involved in regular emergency evacuation procedures; and they are shown how to walk up and down stairs in safety.

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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 are able to use the garden in order to enjoy fresh air. They play on a good range of outdoor toys to increase their large muscle and physical development. Most areas of the garden are safe in order for children to play in safety. However, the greenhouse is accessible to children. As a result children's safety is in the garden is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully protected by the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues and sound knowledge of the reporting and recording procedures in order to safe-guard children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled and flourish in the childminder's care. Children benefit from the opportunity to build positive relationships with each other and the childminder. Every opportunity is made to enable their development and learning. For example, through the extensive range of activities and resources on offer. Themed activities give children the chance to learn their colours, shapes and letters, which stimulates their interest. Well planned visits give children many types of experiences, such as travelling on a train and visits to an ice-rink. Children relish in the chance to 'bubble paint' and to create patterns on paper. They swirl glue onto paper and stick circle shapes onto the glue, in order to learn the 'shape of the week' in a practical and fun way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is putting many aspects of the Birth to three matters framework into practise in her care of young children. This includes young children finding a voice as they confidently talk about their families at circle time. They make connections through their senses by singing and dancing. Young children develop their imagination as they manoeuvre cars up and down a garage ramp, and using dolls to re-enact being a nurse while playing with a hospital kit. As a result, children are involved in a wide range of play experiences in order to extend their learning and intellectual capabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals by the childminder. She caters for their needs and gives young children many opportunities to make decisions for themselves. An example of this is in allowing children to choose their own snacks and activities. Children are polite and are frequently reminded by the childminder to say 'please' and 'thank you'. They learn to have positive feelings about themselves and the effect their behaviour has on others through the childminder's diligent management.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a good range of resources which reflect positive images of culture, disability, and gender. This is managed appropriately through posters, books and jigsaw puzzles. Children are well integrated into the setting through the childminder's organisation of the daily routine. This includes daily outings which develops children's understanding of being part of a wider community.

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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 benefit from the good stable relationship between parents and the childminder. She keeps parents fully informed of her service and the time children spend in her care. Parents are provided with a wealth of information. This includes a file with policies and procedures, information about the childminder's family, and a detailed account of the process that will be taken if parents have a complaint about the service offered. Parents contributed to the inspection with letters of commendation for the excellent service and care given to their children by the childminder. As a result, the strong link between home, parents and the childminder, ensures that children's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the need of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The children are warmly welcomed into a family home. The space available gives them the chance to relax and play in a well organised environment.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are in place and well maintained to a good standard in order to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. These are shared with parents who are kept fully informed about their child's day and the service the childminder offers. Children gain from the childminder's commitment to their welfare and by furthering her professional development through attending various courses, such as child protection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to review the risk assessment to ensure that the stairs do not pose a hazard to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

How to access the stairs safely has been discussed with the children. Photographs provide information to the children on the best way to go up and down the stairs. This has improved children's awareness of safety while accessing the stairs in order to use the upstairs bathroom.

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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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Complaints 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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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 the greenhouse does not pose a hazard to children • obtain knowledge of notifiable diseases in order to report effectively to Ofsted

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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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