Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY225798 Inspection date 27 April 2005 Inspector Carol Johnstone

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered to care for children since 2002. She lives in Poole with her daughter aged eight years. She is registered to care for six children and she currently has five on roll. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom are used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet dog whom children can have supervised access to.

p.2

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 provides overnight care and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted in the provision through a variety of ways. They learn about healthy eating through regular 'tasting days' where they talk about different types of food and are given new combinations of fruit and vegetables to try. They are also given healthy choices at meal and snack times and the childminder is careful to plan menus that include as much fresh food as possible. Children have access to regular drinks of water, milk and juice throughout the day to ensure that their fluid intake is adequate. Children of all ages enjoy regular fresh air and exercise and are learning to use their bodies in a variety of ways through access to a range of outdoor physical activities. Children are learning about effective personal hygiene through regular hand washing and they discuss the reasons for this, which has resulted in them making a ' how to' poster for the bathroom. Children are protected

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

from the risk of cross infections as the childminder follows an effective sickness policy. In practice this means excluding children who are unwell and ensuring those who fall ill during the day are collected as soon as possible. She also follows strict hygiene procedures when changing nappies, preparing food, and caring for the pet dog, all of which protect children from potential risk.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have a safe environment to play in and are protected from harm. The childminder has completed a thorough risk assessment and all hazardous materials, socket covers and stairs are inaccessible to children. This promotes their safety. Children learn about road safety and are kept away from road dangers through use of appropriate car seats, reins and wrist straps. They learn about fire safety through visits to the local fire station and topic work. They practice regular fire drills to reinforce this. Children have a variety of clean, safe and colourful resources to play with and they have ample space within which to use them. Children are supervised well both indoors and in the garden to minimise risk of accidents. They are learning how to be safe when on outings and know who to approach in an emergency or if lost. The childminder has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

regarding child protection issues and knows how to deal with a concern if it arises. She is committed to keeping her knowledge updated in this area and has recently attended a child protection training course.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 settled and secure in the setting and the childminder interacts very warmly with them. They enjoy a range of planned activities that are suitable for their stage of development. This enables them to feel a sense of pride and achievement. The childminder also provides appropriate challenge to encourage children to develop their existing skills and build their self esteem. The childminder ensures that she knows each child very well in order to provide the activities that they will enjoy. She encourages them to try new experiences to increase their knowledge. Children who attend school are supported in their learning and the childminder helps them with their reading, writing and topic work, taking them to the local library to help them research. Although there is a wide range of art and craft activities available for

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children, some elements are pre cut and drawn and this hinders full opportunities for imagination and creativity. All children enjoy a variety of outings to try new physical activities, not only to local parks and beaches, but also to theme and adventure parks, forests and farms. Children have regular opportunities to increase their social skills through meeting and playing with children looked after by other childminders in the area through group outings and weekly visits to childminding groups.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning to take responsibility for their own actions through the teaching of respect for others and the need for effective co-operation. This is done through the childminder raising awareness of the needs of others and through group activities that help them learn to be tolerant and kind to each other. She discusses the cultures and beliefs of others in the community and has taken them to a traditional Asian party held by a local family. Children with special needs are sensitively supported and there is an ethos of inclusion both by the childminder and by the other children. All parents are encouraged to be very involved with their child's care and learning, through effective exchange of information and daily updates. This ensures that the links to home and community are reinforced, that the child is well supported and that their needs are met.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her practice well to help children feel comfortable and secure. This includes all aspects of planning space and resources to provide a stimulating and safe environment . The comprehensive documentation ensures she has all the relevant information to promote the welfare and care of the children. The childminder is very committed to her own professional development and continually builds on her practice through research and training. This is clearly reflected in the care she provides, which meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

p.4

Improvements 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 Since the last inspection ,the childminder has greatly improved the quality of food provided. She now ensures that all snacks, meals and drinks given are healthy and nutritious and plans her menus around freshly prepared fruit and vegetables. The childminder is keen to raise children's awareness of healthy eating and does this effectively through discussion and 'tasting days' where children prepare and try new things.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • increase the range of art and crafts that allow children to fully express their own ideas and creativity

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5