Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY257109 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2007 Inspection date Kay Roberts 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 first registered in 2003 and has a CACHE level 3 Diploma in Playwork. He works in partnership with his wife who is also a registered childminder. They are members of the National Childminding Association. There are three children in the family aged four, seven and eight years. They live in a large six bedroom, three storey detached property in Upper Swainswick on the eastern edge of the city of Bath. Minded children have access to all the rooms in the house as appropriate and an extensive garden. The childminder specialises in after school care and organising explorer days out in the local countryside where children study nature. Registration is for a maximum of four children under eight years, but when working with another childminder and an assistant the number is increased to 12 children. There are currently 10 school children on roll for after school care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have many excellent opportunities to be outdoors where they are suitably protected from the elements. When in the countryside children take much exercise as they run around

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 fields, and climb over stiles and up trees. On an explorer day two children comment that it is the furthest they have ever walked. In the garden large muscle skills are used to dig trenches for planting potatoes, which they then cover with soil. Children also plant and nurture other fruit and vegetables. In summer they help themselves to what produce they wish to eat and some are taken home. Sometimes children visit a local market gardener and are able to see and discuss how other crops are grown. Children eat healthy home made bread and jams for tea and do not go hungry as they are able to help themselves to what they want. It is a social occasion as childminder and children sit together. There is a good system in place for ensuring that special dietary requirements are met. On walks children enjoy picnics in the wood and have

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Helping children to be healthy

a selection of food, some of which is cooked on a small fire. They toast their own marshmallows over a small fire using a whittled stick and sing 'She'll be coming round the mountain'. When thirsty children ask for a drink and on outings are encouraged to take a drink of water at frequent intervals.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows appropriate procedures for managing accidents so that children's welfare is promoted, however one accident record has not been countersigned by the parent. When administering medicine, the childminder obtains written parental consent. There was one occasion when medicine was administered according to guidelines. The risk of infection is minimised as the childminder follows hygienic procedures, such as food hygiene and using paper towels for hand drying. Parents sign to agree the childminder's policy for excluding children who are ill. Children understand the importance of hygiene and wash their hands before touching food and after using the bathroom. When cooking children wear aprons and long hair is tied back.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are relaxed as they receive a personal welcome as they enter the home. The focus for play is outdoors and children benefit from having access to a large garden which provides scope for relaxation, physical activity, using their imagination and growing a range of fruit and vegetables. Indoors children are able to access all areas of the home, although some rooms have yet to be organised following the childminder's move. There is space for relaxation and play. Coat hooks are placed at child height so children are independent. In one room children help themselves to a range of clean, safe resources which are rotated on a regular basis so children remain interested. One room is to be made into an art studio where children will have free access to craft materials and will be able to display their work.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a secure environment and are only released to authorised adults. There is a good system in place for protecting children from people who have not been vetted. However children are not fully protected in the event of a fire. There is a smoke alarm at each level and a fire blanket in the kitchen, but it has not yet been attached to the wall and since moving to his new home the childminder has not practised the emergency evacuation procedure. The risk of an accident is minimised as the childminder is vigilant and children learn to protect themselves. Children understand that in the home they must put their bags away safely so that they do not pose a trip hazard. When in the garden and on outings children learn to use tools safely and where appropriate children are given one-to-one support. On outings, for which there is a written consent from parents and detailed risk assessment, children are alert to dangers of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

road, animals and plants. Children are further protected as the childminder has a good knowledge of local safeguarding procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are enthusiastic about being with the childminder. They say that they enjoy the fun activities and everyone is friendly. They remain interested as the well planned activities take into account children's interests, age and ability. When out in the countryside younger children collect flowers to place on their sticky postcard, whilst older and more able children collect items relating to a specific theme, such as light and dark. When the card is complete other children guess the theme. Activities are effectively evaluated and used to inform future planning. Children are curious and motivated to learn. They want to try new activities, such as whittling. Children develop confidence as the childminder praises their achievements. Time and opportunities are provided so that children become independent.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

After school children make informed decisions about what activity they wish to pursue as the childminder explains what is on offer that day, both in and outdoors. Children weigh out the ingredients for jam tarts and peppermint creams. As they copy the example of the childminder's assistant, children use fine muscle skills to mix the flour and fat into something resembling fine breadcrumbs. Children work together; one rolls out the pasty and cuts out the shapes, whilst another child fills the tarts with jam. Once cooked children are proud of their achievements and are pleased to be able to take some home. Children are sociable and use problem solving skills to create a complex, two-tier den using scaffold bars, wooden planks and ropes. Using their imagination they add a road cone and explain it is the burglar alarm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

On explorer days children have many excellent opportunities to learn about nature as they study the flora and fauna. They are beginning to distinguish between different birds by looking at how they spread their wings when flying and the sounds they make. Binoculars are used to study the birds more closely. Understanding that they need dry grass and twigs to make a fire they collect them en-route. Children show good concentration as they use physical skills to take the bark off small branches with a pen knife. Alert to their senses they comment that the inside feels soft. Afterwards they are keen to show others their success and ask if they can take the branch home. On the way home children climb a tree, where they sit as they tell stories to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are emotionally secure in the relaxed relationship between their parents and the childminder. Parents comment positively about the provision, for example children being able to chop logs is 'a wonderful boost' to their ego. Prior to a placement commencing the childminder discusses details of his practice with parents. Parents receive verbal feedback if their children attend the childminder's after school. A written, personalised account of the day is provided for parents whose children go on explorer days in the country.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have a sense of belonging as they plant and nurture vegetables, knowing they will be able to pick them later on in the year. They have many excellent opportunities to learn about nature as they are told the names of trees and plants. Children collect flowers on a sticky post card and proud of their achievements say they will give it to their mothers on Mothering Sunday. They study animal tracks and birds in flight. One child stretches out their arms to demonstrate how a buzzard flies. They learn about the local community as they chat to people in the village when delivering parish magazines. Children positively appreciate difference as they learn from

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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's example and talk about where musical instruments, photographs of artwork and food originate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop confidence knowing they are all valued and included, and the childminder praises their achievements. Where appropriate, activities are adapted to children's individual needs. Children's additional needs are sensitively met. Children follow the childminder's lead and quickly form friendships on explorer days and older children are considerate to those younger than themselves. Children are very well behaved and polite. There is a system for recording behaviour incidents. To date only one incident has been recorded and this was not confidential. A meeting was organised with both parties to address the concern.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom he provides. He is appropriately qualified in both child care and paediatric first aid. Since the last inspection he has undertaken further training as a way of extending practice; Managing Woodland for Wildlife Conservation, Tree Identification and Business Success for Child Care. The childminder also organises training sessions on outdoor play for other child care professionals. Most of the required documentation is in place. Adult to child ratios are maintained as the childminder often works with assistants who are recruited for expertise in a specific area, such as art. There are clear written guidelines so that assistants are clear about their role and responsibilities. The childminder provides a welcoming home for children who are enthusiastic about the varied, fun activities which are on offer. Although registered to provide overnight care, the childminder does not currently

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to meet four recommendations. Since this time the childminder has developed his knowledge and understanding of local safeguarding procedures so that children are further protected. The second recommendation, which required all accidents to be recorded and written parental consent to be obtained for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, has been met in full so that children's welfare is promoted. One recommendation required the childminder to devise and practise an emergency escape plan. The childminder met this requirement, but since this time has moved house and although there is a plan in place, the fire drill has yet to be practised. The final recommendation has also been met so that the time of children's arrival and departure are now accurately recorded.

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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): • improve documentation by ensuring that all accident and medication records are signed by parents, and that behaviour incidents are confidentially maintained. • improve fire safety by securing the fire blanket to the wall in the kitchen and practising the fire drill

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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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