Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339891 Unique Reference Number 19 April 2007 Inspection date Timothy Butcher 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 satisfactory. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and child aged 19 months in Southville, Bristol. The whole of the premises are used for childminding except for the middle reception room, the garden and the first floor middle bedroom. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding three children under five during the day and two children over five before and after school all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder supports children for whom English is an additional language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted because the childminder has good procedures and practices in place to meet their individual physical, nutritional and health needs. Children benefit from the good physical care. Young children are kept comfortable and have their nappies

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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 checked regularly. A hygienic nappy changing procedure is followed to protect children from the spread of infection. The childminder has suitable procedures in place to record accidents and to record any medication given to children. She holds a current certificate in paediatric first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

The daily diary provides very useful information to parents and carers about children's food intake, nappy changes, sleep times and well-being. The childminder effectively consults with parents to ensure dietary needs are identified and met. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet as the childminder places strong emphasis on healthy eating. She provides a very good variety of balanced meals and snacks that encompass tastes from around the world. Children learn about the wider world as they try out the various meals. Children have access to their drinks throughout the day as individual bottles and cups are kept close at hand and on display.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children have ample opportunities for physical exercise and active play. The childminder ensures there are regular visits to the park where young children learn to climb, slide, run and kick a ball. They gain in confidence as they interact with others when using the equipment. Children who attend after school also have opportunities to use the park when schedules allow. The childminder makes discerning use of local toddler groups with children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children under five practise their coordination and manipulation skills through such things as construction and creative activities. Younger children develop their concentration and dexterity through a host of toys, such as, shape sorters, wooden and other building bricks; and musical toys that require buttons to be pressed to make them sound.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a very safe environment within the home because the childminder has carried out a thorough risk assessment of the house and has the necessary control measures in place to protect children from potential hazards. The premises are secure and such things as smoke detection equipment, electric socket covers and a fire blanket are in place. Stair-gates are used to prevent younger children from straying into areas unsupervised, for example, the kitchen area and the stairway. Children are protected from hard surfaces, such as hearth surrounds through the use of soft materials. Children begin to learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, when using a small trampoline, they are prompted to bounce in parallel and to be mindful of the proximity of each other.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a welcoming and child-friendly environment in which to play. Space is used constructively with suitable floor space for children to play. Bright posters are on display in the playroom, with lots of resources at low level to make the environment attractive to children. A good range of toys are made available that match children's developmental abilities, maintain their interest and provide suitable challenge. They freely choose from the resources on show. Larger items of equipment, such as the home corner appliance, are appropriately placed to be accessible. Young children move freely between rooms and practise coordination skills with various push along toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have their welfare safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities in regard to the protection of children and has a clear procedure to follow, should she have a concern. The childminder has the relevant contact numbers to hand. She has

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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 a strong awareness of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. There is a comprehensive child protection policy for parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have positive experiences through play. They have fun, show excitement and make satisfactory progress because the childminder provides a balanced range of stimulating activities and play opportunities that support their all round development. The childminder has a good understanding of child development for younger children and her skills and experience with older children is developing. The childminder makes some reference to the Birth to three matters framework when planning for children's activities and play opportunities. These are sufficiently well targeted to support children's learning and provide suitable challenge. She has yet to develop a system to plan for children's specific next steps in development. The daily diary provides good general information for parents and carers about their child's day. It includes the activities they undertake and some information about their specific progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are prompted to repeat back words that they are beginning to recognise as the childminder encourages their language development through lots of conversation. She asks questions and gives explanations readily so that children are able to make meaningful links with the world around them. Children have regular opportunities from an early age to be creative, for example, toddlers enjoy the use of crayons to make marks. Three year olds paint and make pictures and cards in cut and stick activities. The childminder describes them being engrossed in the activity and concentrating for good periods of time. Children enjoy making shapes with play dough. Young children explore the texture between their fingers and clearly enjoy the use of simple tools and equipment to press out shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good access to book resources within the setting and through visits to the library. Young children spontaneously pick up books and bring a story to be read. The childminder skilfully interacts with children to develop their language and listening skills. She points to pictures and prompts them to repeat back words and sounds. Children begin to use their imaginations in simple role-play and with small world toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is keen that children have many opportunities to explore music and sounds. Young children have fun making sounds as they practise holding and shaking rattles, bells and tambourines; and develop their coordination skills with the xylophone. They sing along and move in time to nursery and action rhymes, sometimes accompanied by the childminder on clarinet.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated with respect. Children clearly benefit from the warm interactions with the childminder. They benefit from the friendly and emotionally secure environment that she has created for them. They are happy and relaxed. Strategies for managing children's behaviour are discussed with parents. The childminder provides positive attention to children and uses simple explanations and distraction to support and guide them. For example, a young child is beginning to learn to hug others a little more gently. The childminder provides gentle hugs and describes and shows what this looks like. She uses explanation to show that other children do not like to be hugged too tightly. She uses repetition to explain that the outcome

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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 was not that which was intended. She has a calm approach and routinely provides plenty of praise and encouragement to all children. As a result, children generally behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to learn about diversity and the wider world through everyday play. The childminder has a sound understanding of equality issues. There is an adequate range of books and some other materials to help support the childminder with her practice, although toys that reflect diversity are few in number. The childminder provides some other opportunities to support children's experience of diversity, for example, through discussion about the country of origin of the different ingredients during cooking activities. The childminder has yet to fully develop her resources within the home and as a result children's experiences of diversity are somewhat limited. The childminder has yet to care for a minded child with learning difficulties, disability or additional needs but has a suitable procedure in place to identify with parents how best to meet the care needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the sound partnership with parents and carers. Documentary evidence and discussion with the childminder suggests that parents and carers are positive about the care provided. Individual children's records are consistently filled out and show that parents are fully consulted and share information about the care needs of their child. This contributes to the continuity of care for children. Parents are kept well informed through a daily diary that provides comprehensive information about their child's day. However, there is little written information about the progress children make. Time is also set aside for discussion with carers either at the point of drop off or collection. As a result children's day-to-day needs are appropriately met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time, space and resources well to meet the needs of children. Policies, procedures and other documentation are used well to promote the welfare, care and learning of all children. The childminder has a sound understanding of the National Standards and interprets these in the best interests of children. Parents and carers are fully consulted and kept well informed. Children's individual records are well maintained and permissions, such as parental permission for the emergency treatment and advice for children, are consistently sought and recorded. The contracts with parent and carers are adequate and consistently well recorded. The attendance record is kept accurate and up-to-date. The childminder has a solid awareness of children's individual needs and home routines. This contributes to the continuity of care for children.

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Organisation

Children experience an appropriately balanced range of activities and play opportunities in a welcoming and supportive environment. As a result, they appear to be making satisfactory progress in all areas of development. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how children develop in general and a good understanding of child development for younger children. The childminder makes some reference to the Birth to three matters framework when planning for children's activities and play opportunities although she has yet to develop a system to plan for each child's specific next steps in development. Children are happy, settled and secure. They enjoy their time with the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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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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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 satisfactory. 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): • develop further the use of activities and resources for children that support their next stage of development. • develop further the range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, race and diversity.

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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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