Peregrine-Morgan, Amanda Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY152699 Inspection date 18 July 2005 Inspector Kay Roberts

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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 first registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and 2 daughters, aged 5 and 18 years. The home is a 3 bedroom semi-detached property, located in a quiet cul-de-sac close to Bromley Heath Infant and Junior School. The family have a border collie, a rabbit and a cat. Areas of the home accessible to minded children include the living room, dining room, conservatory, downstairs toilet and the main bedroom for rest purposes. Children are able to play in the fully enclosed, secure back garden.

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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 registered to care for a maximum of 5 children under 8 years and is currently caring for 6 children under 8 years, 4 of whom are under 5 years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is actively promoted. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and appropriately manages accidents and medication. Children have been introduced to the idea of accidents and how injuries are treated, as they practise bandaging dolls who have a broken foot or arm. The risk of infection is minimised through the exclusion of children who are sick and the provision of a clean home environment. Children know that they must wash their hands after using the toilet, before lunch or prior to starting a cooking activity. They learn the importance of hygiene as the childminder talks about germs and occasionally children enjoy helping to wash up the dishes. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating. The childminder offers nutritional snacks and healthy home cooked, well-balanced meals, for example, salmon with broccoli, carrots, peas and mashed potatoes, followed by yoghurt or fruit.

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Helping children to be healthy

A weekly menu is displayed. The childminder discusses meals with parents to ensure that young children are introduced to a range of new foods and special dietary requirements are met. Children know that some people can not have milk or it may cause a bad tummy. Children take regular exercise and are provided with opportunities to develop physical skills. There are walks to places such as Vassall's Park, to walk along the river bank and collect natural materials to make a picture, and to the local pond to feed the ducks. Indoor soft play areas are also used. The garden provides excellent opportunities for children to extend their physical skills as they kick balls and use the sit and ride toys. Children particularly enjoy learning to swim in the outdoor heated swimming pool.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel welcome in the child focussed environment. There is a bright alphabet poster in the playroom and children's artwork and stickers for good behaviour, are displayed. Resources are all placed at child height enabling children to confidently help themselves to what they want to play with. Children select from a broad range of clean toys and books, which are age appropriate and comply with safety requirements. Children enjoy the dressing up clothes which include bags, shoes and hats to extend their play. Another favourite is the large wooden rocking horse. Close supervision and minimising potential hazards allows children the freedom to move between areas both in and outdoors so that they have a large space in which to play. Children learn to protect themselves. They know that they may fall if they

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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 climb on the sofa or that glass may break if they bang it. They point out the arm bands they must wear if they go in the swimming pool. On outings children are protected as they are not taken to areas the childminder considers dangerous. Children know they should not speak to strangers and that they must stay beside the childminder rather than running off. If somewhere busy children are put on reins or placed in the buggy to ensure they remain safe. Children are also protected from harm as the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect and knows the local child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are social. They have a relaxed relationship with the childminder and seek her company. Children enjoy the company of their piers. They follow each other outside and chat as they play in the sit and ride toys. At other times the childminder encourages children to play together, by suggesting that they all fit the train track together or kick the ball to each other. Opportunities to further develop social skills are provided through regular attendance at toddler groups. Minded children have fun, are confident, actively occupied and able to make decisions about which activities or drink they would like next. The childminder sits with the children and encourages them to colour a picture of a fish and to add glitter or sequins. As they do so the childminder extends their learning. She provides an example and talks to the children about whether their fish is happy or sad and the shape of the sequins. Children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learning to use their imagination as they dress up and proudly announce that they are 'Sleeping Beauty' and as they go out through the patio doors into the garden announce they are going to work. The childminder has a good understanding of each child's stage of development and has broad objectives to extend their learning, such as colours and numbers. However, having recently completed training on 'Birth to Three Matters' the childminder is aware that planning, undertaken on a weekly basis, needs to be more detailed to ensure all aspects of learning are promoted for each child. She has now collected together a box of natural materials, such as a smooth pebble and lavender bag, and will use this to stimulate children's senses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle quickly as there is a gradual introduction based on individual needs. Babies have a blanket from home so they have a familiar smell and slightly older children bring a toy. Children feel secure knowing that there is a relaxed relationship between parents and carer. Parents are aware of the childminder's practices. The open two way discussion ensures that both childminder and parents are fully aware of children's needs on a daily basis. Children feel important as they are all included in activities, for example the childminder taking each child's photograph in turn with a toy camera. Children's confidence and individuality are promoted by the childminder's continual praise, star charts and stickers for positive behaviour enables children to make choices and

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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 express themselves. Children are polite, well behaved and able to share. They learn to respect others. Knowledge of different cultures is learnt as children look at the books with the childminder and acknowledge cultural celebrations, such as the Chinese New Year by making lanterns and exploring chop sticks.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children make good progress and their welfare is promoted as the childminder is well organised. All documentation as required by the National Standards is in place, regularly updated, confidentially maintained and where appropriate shared with parents. Weekly plans ensure children are provided with a broad range of activities, keep parents informed and enable the childminder to check that everything is in place ready for the children. Good routines allow the childminder to offer a high level of support and to maximise the time she spends playing with children. She is keen to extend practices and has recently sought training related to child care, such as 'Junk to Joy' and 'Cooking with Children'. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in July 2003 the childminder agreed to meet three recommendations. Parents are now fully aware of all practices and have given written consent for transporting children in the childminder's car, to go swimming and to seek medical advice or treatment in the event of an emergency. There is a system in place for recording pre-existing injuries so that children are protected from potential abuse. Children have been made aware of the potential dangers of fire through explanation provided by the childminder and practising the emergency evacuation procedure. Knowledge of fire protection has been extended by a visit some months ago to Southmead Fire Station. Children enjoyed trying on the helmets, sitting in the fire engine and ringing the siren.

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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

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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): • further develop planning so that they are appropriate to children's individual needs

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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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