Childminder in SwindonOfsted inspection, 13 Jun 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 505978 Inspection date 13 June 2005 Inspector Nikki Whinton

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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?

This childminder was registered in 1984. She lives with husband and 3 children aged 15, 19 and 21 years in Chiseldon, near Swindon. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 15 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have one rabbit and a fish.

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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 is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for within a clean, warm environment, which is welcoming both to parents and children. Children are effectively developing their awareness of good health practices through the childminder's careful attention to good hygiene routines, such as when touching the family rabbit or after toileting. This clear understanding by the children reduces the risk of cross contamination. Most written procedures are in place to support children's welfare should accidents occur and to protect them from children who are unwell. However, written parental permission is not obtained if children require medication and parents do not sign to acknowledge once it has been given. Children are increasing their knowledge about good nutrition and healthy choices through the balanced range of healthy meals and snacks provided. They are encouraged to help themselves to drinks and are learning to realise the health

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Helping children to be healthy

benefits of frequently drinking liquids. Children's individual dietary requirements are carefully recorded and always accommodated, thus ensuring children's differing needs are successfully met. Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating activities which contribute to their good health. They have frequent opportunities to develop their physical skills, both within the childminder's garden, such as when playing ball games or riding bicycles, as well as when going on a range of exciting outings, including swimming or kite flying. Children walk on a daily basis, when going to and from the local school or pre-school, which provides good opportunities for children to take regular exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for within premises which are safe and well maintained. They are learning to share responsibility for their well-being through activities such as taking part in emergency evacuation drills and tidying up resources after play to minimise trip hazards. Children's safety, both within the home and when on outings is supported by the childminder's good understanding of safety issues and how to minimise risks to children. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children enjoy choosing from a good range of clean, well maintained, age appropriate equipment and resources which are easily accessible to them for self selection. Such free choice opportunities help children develop their confidence and independence. Activities are appropriate for children's stage of development and offer sufficient challenge, such as when ice skating or going on bicycle rides.

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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 Children's welfare is enhanced by the childminder's good understanding of child protection issues and she has very effective systems in place for advising parents of her responsibilities. All required procedures and documentation are in place to ensure children's welfare is guarded and promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and the premises are kept secure at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly into the provision. They confidently make themselves at home and become independent as they take decisions for themselves regarding the activities and resources they wish to explore, such as riding a tricycle or selecting a magnetic fishing game. Children are motivated and well occupied whilst in the setting. They take part in a wide variety of stimulating structured and free choice activities, such as puzzles, craft and cooking which are age appropriate and help to support their development. Children's development is skilfully supported by the childminder during play scenarios. For example, by introducing and reinforcing colours whilst playing with a programmable toy or introducing new words whilst looking at the puzzle a child had recently completed. Children are constantly learning and developing new skills whilst engaged in worthwhile play activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have a warm, positive relationship with the childminder, which benefits their developing confidence and self assurance. They undertake a wide range of interesting outings, such as to the library and local parks to help them increase their awareness of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and acknowledged as individuals, which has a positive impact on their confidence and feelings of self worth. The childminder knows the minded children well and has a clear understanding of their differing needs. Children are developing their understanding of the wider world and increasing their awareness of diversity through meaningful practical activities such as food sampling during Chinese New Year and making beaded flags as part of American Independence Day celebrations. Children benefit from the positive partnership which exists between the childminder and the parents. They are provided with detailed information about the provision before commencing in the setting and children's achievements are discussed informally on a regular basis. This contributes significantly to a continuity of approach in children's care. Children behave well and are supported by a childminder who is skilled in the use of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

positive techniques to promote appropriate behaviour. Children are developing their

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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 awareness of right and wrong through activities such as developing the 'house rules'.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease within a well organised play and care environment. For example the use of a designated bedroom to enable children to have uninterrupted sleep and the storage of resources at children's height. This allows them to become settled in their care routines, confident and independent in initiating and developing their play ideas. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote children's welfare, care and development. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's safety and well-being is securely stored and carefully maintained. This helps to ensure accurate personal records are easily accessible to support a child's care, such as in the event of an emergency. However, children's daily attendance records are not consistently accurate or up to date, resulting in the lack of a permanent true record of when a child is actually being cared for by the childminder.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended the childminder provide parents with details of how to contact Ofsted in the event of a complaint. The childminder has now included details of how to contact Ofsted within the prospectus given to parents. This has had a positive impact on the level of information offered to parents.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure written parental permission is obtained if medication is required and that parents sign to acknowledge when medication has been given • ensure a permanent daily record of children's attendance is maintained, which is accurate and up to date.

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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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