Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336914 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2007 Inspection date Karen Elizabeth Screen 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 was registered in November 2006. She holds the National Nursery Board Examination certificate and a Diploma in Home Based Childcare. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are four children on roll aged between 20 months and 10 years old. The childminder offers flexible childcare between 08.00 and 18.00 and is able to deliver and collect children from Gillingstool and Crossways Infant and Junior Schools. She attends local parent/toddler groups and takes children on outings to places of interest such as Bristol Zoo and Thornbury Soft Play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and child aged 21 months old, in the market town of Thornbury in South Gloucestershire. All areas of the home may be used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 learn about personal hygiene and to care for themselves and their environment. They are cared for in a clean and comfortable home where they are encouraged to take their shoes off at the door in order to keep the home clean. The importance of hand washing is explained, and young children are keen to wash their hands at the sink with help from the childminder. Children's health is also protected within an environment where the childminder has a clear understanding of the treatment of minor injuries and the administration of medicines. Children are able to rest quietly when they are unwell. Cuddles and comfort are provided and their feelings acknowledged. The necessity of contacting parents if symptoms persist is understood and emergency contact numbers are easily available at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning to appreciate foods which help them to grow and thrive. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating which she conveys to the children, but does not currently share with parents beforehand, so that they can plan their own meals in advance. Drinks are readily available and a range of health meals and snacks are offered during the day, such as banana and satsuma's for snack-time, and fish pie for tea. Children know that they can ask for and receive extra food if they are hungry between meals, for example raisins.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy close, warm and supportive relationships. Their emotional well-being is further supported through the strong working relationships established between the childminder and parents. Children's physical development, is fostered through frequent walks such as to Munday playing fields, or to the nearby park, where they enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. A warm and welcoming feel to the home is achieved through comfortable furniture and photographic displays of outings, such as to Bristol Zoo. The childminder has well thought-out plans for making the most of the available space, including a downstairs room, dedicated solely for use as a playroom. Many well-chosen toys, books and resources have been purchased since registration, but there are few natural items. The childminder tailors her purchases to suit the needs and interests of the children. They hold the children's interest and are of good quality. Some are attractively displayed, others are kept in labelled 'child friendly' storage units, so that children may easily select most items for themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety both inside and outside, such encouraging children to keep walk ways clear, in order to prevent children tripping over their toys. Risks to children from house fires have been minimised through well thought-out fire evacuation procedures. These are carried out each month and the findings recorded. Risks assessments are also carried out, but the measures taken do not fully take account of the risks posed by the glass panels in the internal door.

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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 adequately protected by a childminder who should she have cause for concern, is aware of the need to report her concerns without delay. She is aware of the possible signs of children at risk, but is not clear about her role in reporting her concerns according to Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and settled and enjoy good relationships with the childminder and other children. The childminder offers appropriate praise and listens carefully to what they have to say. Children have a good understanding of the past and present. They remember visiting the Zoo, when the childminder asks where they were on the day the enlarged photographs on the wall, were taken. Children are supported to develop their knowledge and understanding of how computers work, through explicit teaching and imitation of others. Young children respond enthusiastically to music on the radio, and help themselves to a number of different musical instruments to accompany the songs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children influence the choice of activities and resources through discussions with the childminder about what they would like to see provided and their thoughts on those already in place. For example, they particularly like making cakes and pizzas. Although young children make decisions about their own play and learning from the activities on offer, there is a shortage of natural play materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The plans and patterns within the day and the weekly routines are well established. This helps young children to begin to predict what will happen next and to extend their skills in a secure environment. Informal plans are used as a basis for the day, but are not rigid and are subject to change according to the children's interests, needs and other variables, such as the weather. The childminder has begun to use the Birth to three matters framework to record observations of children's learning, but does not yet use it to support children to build on what they already know.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning about the different activities and the people involved in their mainly residential community, as they visit the local community shops and supermarkets, to buy the ingredients for their meals and snacks. They learn to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences through television programmes and through some toys, resources and posters reflecting diversity and acknowledging cultural differences. Children make decisions and can chose to take part in any activities on offer. They learn that they are valued as individuals, for example through their work being displayed for all to see.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are helpful and polite. They behave very well and respond promptly to guidance about rules and boundaries. The childminder provides a good role model through her calm and polite manner. Children understand that there are certain rules to follow for everyone's benefit.

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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 Behaviour management procedures are clearly set out and shared with parents, so that continuity can be agreed and followed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good relationships between the childminder and parents contribute to children's confidence in the childminder. Information provided to parents includes details about agreements and consents. Further information is attached to the walls of the playroom and includes posters on Ofsted's role, and the Birth to three matters framework. Observations of the children are shared with their parents through the children's home diaries. These observations identify the children's developmental stages within the Birth to three matters framework.

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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 very well qualified and keen to up-date her knowledge and understanding, in order to improve outcomes for children. Although she has begun to use the Birth to three matters framework, she does not yet use it as a tool for planning individual children's progress.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted through very well organised and well maintained paperwork. A number of policies and procedures have been developed by the childminder for the efficient management of the provision, such as 'behaviour management' and 'how to make a complaint'. Registers and records all meet regulatory requirements and are easily available. Personal information and specific permissions are obtained before the children attend and is filed securely. Emergency numbers are clear and easily accessible both inside and outside. However, risk assessments do not fully take account of all potential risks in the environment.

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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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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 that glass panels in the internal door do not pose a danger to children's safety • develop links between observations, assessments and planning, to support children to build on what they already know.

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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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