Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY298810 Inspection date 04 July 2005 Inspector Charlotte Jenkin

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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 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 lives with her husband and young daughter in a three bed-roomed semi-detached house in Melksham. They live close to local shops, a park and a school. The childminder uses the whole house for childminding, as well as a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. She is registered to provide care for 5 children under 8 years, and currently minds one 5 year-old part-time, after school. The family have two dogs.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a positive attitude towards healthy foods, as the childminder offers healthy snacks and home cooked meals. The children enjoy these, and are happy to say which are their favourite meals, for example 'I love spaghetti bolognaise and chicken casserole'. Their dietary needs and preferences are well respected and catered for, due to the childminder gaining information from parents regarding this. Children have access to drinks at all times so do not become thirsty. Children have not had accidents whilst in the childminder's care, although she is very aware of the procedures to follow for recording these, as well as for medication administered. However, the childminder has not yet completed a relevant first aid course, which could compromise children's welfare in the event of an accident. Children are also at risk in the event of a serious accident, due to consent not being

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Helping children to be healthy

gained from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment. Children are not at risk from the dogs, as the garden is checked for mess daily and they are supervised when around the children, who enjoy playing with them, especially the puppy. Children are encouraged to practise suitable hygiene routines, although these are not consistent, for example eating when drawing and cutting, and the childminder does not re-enforce the importance of hand washing. Children learn about the importance of physical activity and take the dogs out for walks regularly, or visit the park or library. They have access to a suitable range of equipment that promotes their physical development and know, for example, 'we walk to keep our legs healthy'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well organised environment with plenty of space to play. They have access to a suitable range of toys and equipment that are appropriate to their age and stage of development, that are stored in low level boxes. Children also have regular new experiences, as the childminder visits the local toy library to borrow new equipment to give them greater choice. Children are cared for in safe premises, free from risks because the childminder demonstrates a fair awareness of potential risks to children, and is effective in minimising these. Therefore, children move around the premises safely and in confidence, both in the home and on outings. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when out, for example 'we have to stay together'. They do not, however, gain knowledge of keeping safe in the event of a fire, as the evacuation plan is not practised or monitored for it's effectiveness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is likely to be safeguarded, due to the childminder's reasonable knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to be followed. These duties

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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 are not formally shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are settled and happy with the childminder and readily approach her for assistance or to request activities. The children are respected and well listened to, and there are good levels of conversation between both the children and the childminder, which promotes their confidence. The childminder praises children for their achievements and this helps develop their self-esteem. The children play well together, co-operatively, and develop acceptable social skills. Children take part in a range of activities, for example, drawing and cutting, playing games, solving puzzles, as well as having frequent opportunities for role play. Although the childminder has a weekly routine, she does not plan children's play activities in advance, preferring the children to choose what they wish to do. This results in children having a limited range of activities readily available for them to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

select and use, and their play can sometimes lack purpose, with the children becoming disinterested and over excited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children generally behave well. This is because the childminder uses age-appropriate methods for managing their behaviour, and has consistent expectations of them. She is a sound role model for the children and is respectful to them, which means they are respectful to others. The children show concern for others, and help the younger children, for example read and solve puzzles. They form suitable relationships with each other and play nicely together. Children have some opportunities to socialise with others, for example at the park and library. They develop sufficient independence and confidently select toys and initiate their own play. Children have opportunities to explore their local environment, and become part of the local community. They do not, however, have access to resources that promote positive images of diversity, which means they do not learn about the wider world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership between the childminder and parents is satisfactory which helps contribute towards the children's wellbeing. Children's routines are respected and dietary needs and preferences well catered for. They regularly exchange information regarding children's routines, activities and welfare. However the childminder lacks confidence in ensuring requests to enable the children to take part in messy activities are met. Children are able to share their creations with their parents by taking them home at the end of the day. Some written consent and agreements are also not in place regarding the care provided and this may affect their care and safety.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. Children are cared for by the childminder and are protected from unvetted adults. Suitable adult to child ratios means the childminder is able to provide appropriate support for the children and spend time talking to them. She has not attended any up to date training, which limits the care and learning offered to the children. Children benefit from the well organised environment which means they are comfortable and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder has most of the required records in place, and these are stored confidentially. She has not, however, requested some of the necessary written information and consents from parents about their children's care. For example there is no consent for seeking emergency medical treatment, for outings or transportation. Consequently the children's welfare or care may not be fully safeguarded.

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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): • ensure children are safe in the event of a fire, by practising the fire evacuation plan and monitoring it's effectiveness. • ensure children have access to a range of activities that promote their welfare and learning in all areas of development.

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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 • ensure children learn about the wider world around them, by improving the range of resources that promote positive images of diversity. • ensure children's welfare and care is safeguarded, by ensuring all required written agreements and consents are in place. • ensure children's welfare is maintained at all times by completing a relevant first aid qualification.

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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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