Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY308897 Unique Reference Number 01 June 2007 Inspection date Jan Healy 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 registered 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11, four and one year, in the Hengrove district of Bristol. The children have access to the whole of the ground floor and a bedroom on the first floor for sleep and rest.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight years at any one time. Currently she is caring for five children from 10 months old to five years. The family own a pet cat and a budgie.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure the children in her care remain healthy and are free from cross infection. She applies consistent messages to aid the children to learn about their own personal hygiene by encouraging the children to think about the importance of washing their hands, using paper tissues for the blowing of their nose and to cover their mouth when coughing. Written permission is sought from the parents for the seeking of emergency

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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 medical treatment or advice, preventing the delay in the children from receiving appropriate care. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is confident to deal with an accident. All injuries are recorded and parents are informed, keeping them aware about any accidents that occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are provided regular drinks, preventing them from becoming thirsty, particularly after physical play. They have the option of a healthy and nutritious cooked lunch or to provide their own, which the children eat whilst sitting together, making for a sociable occasion. The younger children have the benefit of being aided with their feeding, as the childminder teaches them the use of age appropriate utensils. Children who suffer with a food allergy or intolerance are protected, as the swapping of food is prohibited, for the good health of all the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. A warm environment welcomes the children upon arrival, as the premises are child friendly, with their paintings and drawings adorning the walls. Rooms are bright and airy and are kept to a comfortable temperature, so they play and rest in contentment. There is plenty of space in which the children take part in a wide range of activities including both floor play and table top games. The outdoor play area is inviting for the children to enter, as it contains a broad range of apparatus and large equipment, to aid the children's progression in their strength and stamina.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The toys the children have access to are age appropriate and safe, as the childminder checks them before use, to ensure there are no safety hazards. There are a broad range of resources available to keep the children amused and to help them progress in their development. Younger children have the benefit of a booster seat and step, aiding their independence when using the bathroom. Highchairs enable all the children to eat and play together, helping their socialising skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are safe whilst in the care of the childminder, as she regularly checks the smoke alarms, so she is quickly informed of impending danger. She has given consideration to the quickest exit from the premises from both the ground and first floor, so the children leave swiftly in the event of an emergency. Hot liquids, such as tea and coffee are kept out of the children's reach to prevent scalding, and electrical sockets are covered to prevent injury. Sharp objects and hazardous substances are stored away from the children, so they are unable to access potentially dangerous items. The premises remain secure at all times, preventing access to unwanted visitors for the safety of the children in her care. There is a trampoline in the outdoor play area, which the children use regularly, however, the parents are not requested their written permission for them to do so, therefore, they may be unaware of the safety risks

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

involved in the children using such equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is confident to deal with a concern should once arise. Body maps are in use for the location of an injury and she requests an explanation from parents about an existing injury, for which written records are retained, for the good health of the children. She keeps relevant written information about the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation of abuse being made about herself or about a member of her family.

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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 good. The children benefit from being cared for by a kind and caring childminder, who is knowledgeable about how to aid their development in a fun and exciting way, for example, through day trips to 'Hengrove Park', where the children learn about nature and the changing seasons. They are taken to 'Horseworld', where they learn about the care of animals and to Bristol Zoo, where they have the opportunity to see wild animals. They make use of mark making material to aid their writing and have the advantage of choosing from a wide range of picture and story books, which helps to enhance their love of literature and to extend their vocabulary. They grow cress and sunflowers in the garden, watching them grow and change over time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values each and every child in her care, using appropriate language to communicate, listening to what the children have to say and challenging any racist or discriminatory remarks. She appreciates the children's similarities and differences and encourages them to feel good about them themselves through praise and positive body language. A broad range of multicultural toys and resources, including books, jigsaws and dressing up clothes, provide the children with positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder cares appropriately for all the children in her care, seeking relevant information from the parents, so she is able to plan for a suitable range of activities and play opportunities, which aid the children to progress in their development. She is fully aware of the children's individual needs, as she knows them well, including their likes and dislikes, so she is able to adapt the available activities to suit their requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder sets a good example for the children to follow. She speaks kindly and respectfully, using social graces when appropriate, which the children emulate. Positive behaviour management strategies are in place, with the children being given praise when displaying wanted behaviour and are distracted and re-directed when displaying unwanted behaviour. Any incidents are recorded and shared with the parents, so they are kept fully informed about the children's behaviour during their stay.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with the parents for the benefit of the children in her care. She requests relevant information about the children's individual requirements, so she is able to plan for their stay. The parents have the advantage of being provided with a prospectus about the care offered, which includes details about the courses the childminder has attended and qualifications she has gained. She is fully aware of the procedure to follow in the event of a complaint being made about her and keeps written information for parents containing the address and telephone number for Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has the ability to care for young children and has good knowledge about child development, helping them to make steady progress in their learning. The children are supervised for their safety at all times and are protected from adults who are not vetted. An attendance register details the times of the children's arrival and departure, so they are accounted for in an emergency. The

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Organisation

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 have the advantage of well organised space, so they are able to play in comfort. All records are retained for a reasonable period of time, so historical records can be checked.

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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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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): • request written parental permission for the children to make use of the trampoline

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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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