Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY236435 Inspection date 12 October 2005 Inspector Janet Maria Moutter

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered since 1997. She lives with her son aged seven and new baby daughter of five months. They live in a semi-detached house within walking distance of shops, parks and other local amenities. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have 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 attends the local childminder group on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association. Her registration permits her to care for four children under the age of eight years at any one time. She currently minds three children who attend on a full and part-time basis. Her registration also permits her to offer overnight care for two children. She has an NNEB qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Promotion of good health for children is important to the childminder, as they are well cared for in a warm, clean home. The children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene and personal care, for example, through regular and routine hand washing procedures before meals and after messy activities. The childminder protects the children from the spread of infection as much as possible by her clear sickness policy that she shares with parents at contract time. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through supplemented meals where the children are encouraged to try new and different foods. Children have an age appropriate awareness of healthy foods. For example, the children are able to say and give reasons why some meals are 'good and bad'. The children choose from a healthy selection foods supplied by their own parents and regular drinks are available. The childminder works with parents to support healthy eating,

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Helping children to be healthy

and to meet any special dietary requirements. Children enjoy a wide range of activities to encourage their physical development. There are regular visits to the park and playgrounds to develop their physical skills and extend existing skills. The childminder has a good awareness of the children's different ages and capabilities and is able to provide appropriate play opportunities to stretch them each day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. All children play in a safe environment. The childminder gives careful thought to the provision of suitable equipment for children and toddlers so that they may be included safely in activities both indoors and out. She has appropriate equipment such as stair gates and travelling safely in a double buggy. The older children are encouraged to walk and are closely supervised when walking near traffic, holding onto the buggy with wrist straps. Indoors, the childminder identifies and eliminates potential hazards well for the most part. The children are too young to use the kitchen however; the dangerous items such as knives are out of reach. The toddlers take meals securely strapped in high chairs and the childminder has introduced child size chairs to encourage sitting to the table for food and activities. There is good provision of smoke detectors and the kitchen fire blanket is attached to the wall, but an emergency evacuation procedure

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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 has not been practised. Children use safe, clean and well-maintained equipment. Babies play with suitable toys and roll over with plenty of room to move in safety. Children’s welfare is safeguarded by the childminder keeping her first aid skills up to date and undertaking relevant training herself. However, their welfare is compromised due to her lack of knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities in child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from receiving much individual attention in this childminder’s care. Toddlers clearly enjoy a good range of toys which stimulate them and so aid their development. They stare with fascination at reflections in toy mirrors and show pleasure when using sound-producing toys such as rattles. They hear songs, rhymes sung and conversations going on around them, as well as direct speech from the childminder which they are starting to understand and respond to. This means they develop their listening and early talking skills appropriately as they grow. Their early co-ordination skills improve too, as they reach for toys and try to turn pages of the books and even feed themselves with finger foods. Children with special needs experience a variety of encouragements such as to stand and move independently. All the children are beginning to learn to share; they relate

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

well to each other and socialise with other minded children. They have a structure to their day that includes regular opportunities for walks, outings to local resources and social contacts at toddler groups. Children remain interested with activities as the childminder actively participates in games, resulting in children wanting to learn and to try new things. The children enjoy exploring a good range of activities which contributes to their creativity such as painting, drawing, and play dough. The childminder promotes language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. She listens and responds to their diverse range and emerging vocal communication skills. The childminder is aware that older children need a wide range of suitable toys and equipment and has a balanced range of toys available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children do well in the care of this childminder and have their individual needs attended to. The childminder works extremely closely with parents to find out about their children’s specific requirements before they start with her, so that, for example equipment is available if needed and routines for babies and younger children are followed. Subsequently, parents receive regular verbal information of what their children do and achieve during their time with her.

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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 All children receive equal care and individual attention. They use all resources provided suited to their stage or development including those, such as dolls and dressing-up clothes, that reflect the diversity of modern life. The childminder ensures that the children have regular contact with the wider community through visits to local groups. The children enjoy warm, relaxed relationships with the childminder. Toddlers, show that they are happy and settled by moving confidently and with safely round the house. The childminder acts in a positive and sensitive way to any child who starts in her care. The childminder and the parents work together to ensure that the children settle in smoothly. The childminder praises all minded children for what they do well such as trying to stand or taking all their lunch. She makes clear her expectations for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the behaviour of older children, for example that they are expected to treat everyone kindly.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children cared for by this childminder benefit from her knowledge and skills, which she uses well. She does her utmost to find out about the needs of children in her care so that she looks after them appropriately. Children enjoy playing in a child-centred environment in which toys and materials are readily to hand. They receive much individual attention because the childminder’s play is well organised and balances the various demands made on her time effectively. Some required documentation is in place, although the childminder does not have an up to date register of all the children who attend, which impacts on children's care. She has failed to keep Ofsted informed of a new member of the family, which impacts on her registration numbers. This is a breach of regulations. Records and documents are kept confidentially and readily available for inspection. These contribute to the

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Organisation

safe care of the children, as does the very close relationship with parents. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection, the childminder was required to improve three aspects of her childminding practice. This she has done. She now provides resources and activities to reflect the diversity of modern life. She ensures that electric sockets in areas accessible to children are safe. The childminder ensures that the premises are secure and that children are unable to leave them unsupervised. These actions have further safeguarded the welfare of the minded children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure that daily registers of children attending are accurate and up to date at all times • update knowledge and understanding of child protection matters in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures • ensure that all Children Act Regulations are complied with, particularly with regard to notifying Ofsted of any changes of persons living on the premises. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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