Bartram Susan Roberta

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 255852 Inspection date 01 September 2005 Inspector Georgina Emily Hobson Matthews

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and four sons, aged between five and fifteen years, in a house in the village of Long Stratton, close to local shops and parks. She cares for children on a full time basis and has two children on roll, at this time. Children have access to all parts of her home and an enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play. The family has 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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is well promoted as the childminder has a current first aid certificate and has appropriate systems in place for recording accidents and the administration of medication. She has implemented effective hygiene procedures to prevent the spread of infection, for example, she has separate ranges of indoor and outdoor toys that are cleaned regularly and large outdoor equipment is steam cleaned. Children learn about general hygiene as the childminder offers clear explanations about her practice. Their awareness of personal hygiene is developed as they learn to take responsibility for their own personal needs by using individual flannels and washing their hands before eating and after toileting. Children develop an awareness of healthy eating. Parents provide food for the children, however, the childminder works closely with them, encouraging water instead of squash and fruit and vegetables rather than crisps and sweets. Individual

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Helping children to be healthy

dietary needs are ascertained prior to the commencement of care in order that children are not at risk from a reaction to food. Drinks are accessible to the children at all times in order that they may take responsibility for their own drinking needs. Children develop a positive attitude to exercise as they are able to access the enclosed garden each day. They enjoy running around freely in the fresh air and have opportunities to develop large physical skills using a varied range of outdoor resources, such as, large trucks, tractors, bikes, balls, bats, football goals, a paddling pool and a range of small cars. They rest according to their needs on sofas in the dedicated play room. They are able to sleep without disturbance at nap times due to the childminder's good facilities and procedures for sleeping children.

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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 welcoming, secure, indoor and outdoor environment. They use safe and suitable equipment which is regularly cleaned and checked for broken items. Children’s safety is fostered as the childminder has carried out a comprehensive risk assessment of her home and has minimised any potential hazards to the children. Robust fire precautions are in place. Children's awareness of fire safety is raised as fire evacuation is discussed and videos from the fire service are shown to the children. Children are transported safely on outings. They learn to keep themselves safe as they are provided with clear explanations and guidelines. Prior to outings, procedures are carefully discussed in order that accidents are minimised. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has an awareness of child

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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 protection issues. This welfare is not assured in the event of an emergency as the childminder does not have written consent to release children into the care of other authorised adults .

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and secure within the childminder's home. They enjoy the family life and interact well with the childminder's sons who are caring and considerate towards the younger children. They are able to wander around freely in a safe environment and to play at their own pace. Child sized storage units, in the dedicated play area, enable the children to make choices from resources, such as, dolls, books, puzzles, craft, construction, dressing up and electronic games. The childminder effectively plans and provides activities to progress in the event of an emergency children's development in line with the aspects and approach described in the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children enjoy their play and spend time concentrating as they set up a shop in the kitchen with a till and an array of foodstuffs. They have fun developing their pouring skills with cold tea, milk, a pot and a small jug and are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

delighted in showing how competent they have become. Children are confident and secure and ask questions about each other, for example, what each is having for lunch. Their self esteem is enhanced as the childminder is caring and affectionate and shows lots of interest in their ideas. She talks in a gentle manner, offers lots of praise and is patient and attentive as she helps the children to work things out in their minds. For example, a child asks if a container in the shop contains sea water and the childminder shows him a small picture of a fish on the label and says that it contains tuna. She reminds the child of when he has eaten tuna. Children acquire new knowledge and skills, such as counting as they go upstairs and when they put money in the till. They respond eagerly to challenges, as when the childminder asks a child to collect another two cups for the tea party. The children make positive relationships with each other, the childminder and her family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met and their routines are respected. They feel a sense of belonging as the childminder involves them in family life. Children become aware of the wider society with trips to the beach, indoor play areas, local and specialist parks and swimming pools. They develop an awareness of diversity as the childminder is proactive in presenting positive images of the diversity of people who make up our society. She has an understanding of special educational needs issues. The children behave well. They begin to distinguish between right and wrong and to respect each other as the childminder provides careful explanations of why behaviour is inappropriate. She uses positive strategies to help the children to manage their behaviour and adapts these to accommodate different stages of development.

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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 The childminder works closely with the parents whose satisfaction is reflected in their positive feedback. She discusses the progression of foods when children are introduced to solids, encourages fresh fruit and vegetables and respects parents' wishes regarding sleeping patterns. The childminder does not have a formal system for receiving complaints in order that parents are aware of how to raise concerns if they are unhappy with any elements of their child's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from the care of an experienced childminder who organises her home effectively to accommodate children's play. They have access to a dedicated play area with low level storage, chairs and tables, comfortable sofas and a range of resources which cover all areas of development. A large L-shaped kitchen contains a table and chairs for meals and craft activities and offers a large floor space for giant puzzles, building train tracks and creating shops. A sitting room, computer area and a toilet are also available on the ground floor, with four bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. Most documentation to promote the care and welfare of children is in place. The childminder's systems are well organised and confidential information regarding the children is secure. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has made more space available to the children. She has minimised the hazards of mirrored wardrobes in her bedroom and received a variation to include this room within her registration. She has also obtained additional written consents from parents in order to ensure that their wishes are met.

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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

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): • ensure children's safety by obtaining written authorisation from parents to release them into the care of other adults in the event of an emergency • advise parents of how to make a complaint and set up a system of recording any complaints or concerns.

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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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