Childminder in Torbay

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY253786 Inspection date 20 May 2005 Inspector Janet Butlin

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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 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 has been registered since July 2003 and may care for up to six children under the age of eight. She currently cares for six children within this age band. A flexible childminding service is provided including some overnight care. The childminder lives with her three daughters in the Oldway area of Paignton. The house is within easy walking distance of local amenities including parks, shops and the beach. Children do not access the second floor of the house and only access the first floor to use the bathroom and to occasionally sleep. Children have free range of the lounge and playroom and the dining room and kitchen under close supervision. The garden is not suitable for use by children, however, full advantage is taken of local

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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 amenities for outdoor play. The family's only pet is a Golden Retriever dog. A car is available for childminding activities and a before and after-school service is provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing a sound awareness of hygienic practices and are learning the importance of routines such as washing their hands before meals and after using the lavatory. Their health and well-being are supported and they are able to play in a suitably clean house. Children make healthy choices from the snacks available and are provided with regular drinks. Children's parents provide their main meals and these are appropriately stored. This ensures that children are able to enjoy food that is wholesome and in good condition. Older children enjoy a satisfying snack when they arrive from school and all children's individual dietary needs are known and respected. The children are developing a healthy lifestyle as they enjoy regular exercise in the nearby park, play sports and generally enjoy going for walks with the childminder. Satisfactory systems support children's medical care but no consent has been

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Helping children to be healthy

obtained to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, this means that emergency treatment may be unnecessarily delayed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is supported well through regular risk assessments of potential hazards in and around the home. For example children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised and are effectively protected from all hazardous substances. The childminder is currently decorating her house and is carefully protecting children by only doing these works at the week-end when no minded children are present. Toys and games are organised effectively to enable children to access them safely, with those not suitable for younger children being stored at a higher level. The resources are of good quality and maintained to a high standard. Children enjoy playing in a safe, clean environment. Sensible procedures are in place to ensure children are safe on outings and a clearly displayed, suitable fire evacuation procedure is practised which further enhances their safety. The second floor and the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

garden are unsuitable for small children and the childminder effectively ensures they do not access these areas. The childminder has undertaken appropriate training to ensure her knowledge of child protection is up to date and this supports her in keeping children safe.

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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. Children of different ages have good opportunities to choose resources and to initiate activities for themselves. Younger children receive very good support in their play as the childminder engages them in conversation, developing their language and suggesting how the game may be developed. Children are able to make connections in their play, for example, as they join together pieces of a toy and enjoy the music that is created as a result. Children use and enjoy books and enjoy sharing stories with the childminder on a regular basis. They discuss their favourite characters with great enthusiasm, chatting about what is happening in the story and developing their learning as a result. Children are encouraged to develop their particular interests and the childminder enables them to enjoy playing and exploring out of doors regularly by taking them on visits to nearby parks, the beach and going on walks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of children's developmental needs across all age ranges and plans appropriately for their individual stages of development. This means they are able to enjoy their time with her and achieve well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing an awareness of cultural diversity by accessing resources such as books, puzzles and small world toys. Children with special needs receive good and consistent support and the childminder is experienced in working closely with parents and relevant agencies. Children develop a caring attitude to others and are sensitive to their needs and methods of communication. Children's behaviour is good. They are enabled to understand the reasons for rules and all help to tidy away resources. They also all help to sort out toys and keep the playroom tidy which encourages them to develop a sense of belonging and ownership of their environment. Their esteem is regularly raised because they are enabled to succeed at their activities. The childminder has a good partnership with parents and this supports her in ensuring that children's needs are met. The regularly completed diary enables

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents and childminder to communicate very effectively and ensures that children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. Paperwork is satisfactorily organised and an accurate system of recording the times of attendance of the children is maintained. They benefit from being cared for in a

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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 soundly organised setting. Their parents have provided consents for most aspects of their care. Children are protected whilst in the care of the childminder because she ensures that any people likely to be in the house at the same time are appropriately vetted and suitable to be present. The childminder is hoping to undertake further training to extend her skills as a practitioner and this will further enhance the experiences of the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress with the recommendation arising from the previous inspection and this has had a positive impact on the children. They are now enabled to appreciate social and cultural diversity more thoroughly as they now have more appropriate resources to play with.

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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): • obtain written parental permission for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment

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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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