Childminder in Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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162037 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2007 Inspection date Elaine Douglas Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 outstanding. 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and three children aged eleven, eight and six years in Street, Somerset. The whole of the ground and first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. However, when working with a co-childminder, she is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time. She is currently minding five children under five years and one child over five years. The childminder also cares for children over eight years on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of an approved network and is currently working towards a qualification. She has the National Childminding Association 'Quality First' quality assurance certificate.

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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 outstanding. Children thrive in the healthy environment, they learn the importance of healthy practices through the childminder's excellent example; she keeps her home and the toys clean to reduce the risk of cross infection. Older and more able children clean their own place mats with antibacterial spray and then know they must wash their hands before eating. They use liquid soap and have their own flannels and towels, which prevents cross contamination. Very young children are protected by the childminder wearing disposable gloves when changing nappies and having their own clean bedding when using the cot. A stairgate keeps the family dog in his own part of the kitchen and prevents him accessing the children or the toys.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder having attended training in food hygiene, healthy eating, and the healthy child. They enjoy a range of freshly prepared food for their snacks and meals, and the menu is displayed for parents to view. Children are offered regular drinks of milk or water and the childminder has a very good awareness of children's dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected through comprehensive health records. Accidents and medication requirements are extremely well-documented and shared with parents. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification and regularly checks her good supply of first aid equipment, which is used solely for childminding. Parental consent is sought for administering first aid and/or seeking any emergency advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is very highly regarded. Children take part in obstacle courses, and ride scooters and bikes. Older and more able children are taken on bicycle rides and use a trampoline in the garden. Children have regular opportunities to visit the local park and use a range of equipment. Children are active and rest, according to their own individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept extremely safe and secure through the childminder's vigilant supervision. They are able to move freely and independently around the premises, as the childminder has carried out thorough risk assessments, and identified and minimised any risks. Excellent procedures set out how the childminder keeps children safe. For example, she has written procedures on the use of bicycles, which includes children wearing safety helmets and all parents receive their own copy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to help with their own safety by regularly practising the emergency evacuation procedures and they know they must hold the hand rail when climbing up and down stairs. Smoke alarms are in working order and a fire blanket is wall mounted for easy access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access an excellent range of high-quality toys and resources, which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. They are able to help themselves to the very well-organised selection of interesting play equipment, which is regularly changed depending on the children attending. Harnesses are used to ensure babies remain safe while using seats and buggies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is given the highest priority. The childminder has attended child protection training, and has a very secure knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to

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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 follow in the event of a concern. She has an excellent range of documentation to provide further guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children display high levels of interest in the exciting range of activities and resources available. They develop high self-esteem, as they recognise their previous craft work, which is displayed. Children's creative development is enhanced by accessing a good range of dressing up and role-play resources, both inside and outside. They spontaneously sing along to nursery rhymes and enjoy an extensive range of creative activities, for example, making wooden spoon puppets, leaf printing, cress egg-head's and fruit printing. Children's development is supported through the excellent use of daily routines, such as setting the table and making their own pizzas for lunch.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder having attended workshops in promoting creative development, music, movement and rhyme, play activities for after school children and the Birth to three matters framework. She plans a very flexible timetable, depending on the children attending and the weather. For example, when the rain stops, the children put on their Wellington boots and go and explore the garden, where they have grown their own tomatoes. Children benefit from the regular outings, planned through the childminding network.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children listen attentively to stories and respond excitedly to the excellent interaction. The childminder asks good open ended questions, which prompt the children to predict what happens next or remember the sequence of the story. All children are able to access books independently. The childminder keeps observations of the children's development and uses these to gain an excellent understanding of the children's skills, interests and needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's development is greatly enhanced by the childminder's excellent partnership with parents. She provides comprehensive information for parents in the form of written policies and procedures, daily record books for babies, development files for all children and daily discussions. Detailed consent forms ensure their children's welfare is protected and parents' wishes are met. The regular exchange of information ensures that children's individual needs are respected and met by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well-behaved and develop a huge amount of confidence and positive self-esteem through the interaction, care, love and attention they receive from the childminder. She listens to the children and values their ideas and contributions, consequently, they are settled and happy. The childminder provides a calm role model, and so children are polite and learn to respect each other's needs. For example, when the older children finish listening to their story they interact with the baby with books at the baby's level.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an excellent awareness of people's differences through playing with a meaningful range of resources, which provide a positive view of the wider world. Older children take part in activities which celebrate cultural festivals and all children get involved in raising money for those less fortunate than themselves. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are very well supported and fully included; the childminder works closely with parents and has previous experience of working with outside agencies.

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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 outstanding. Children's care and welfare is enriched by the childminder's dedication to the children, and her highly effective organisation of her time, space and resources. The childminder's portfolio evidences her commitment to providing high quality care for children. She continually attends training to update and extend her knowledge in childcare and she is currently working towards a childcare qualification. Extremely well-organised policies and procedures clearly set out a true representation of her practice.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's extremely secure knowledge of her responsibilities. All necessary documentation is in place and confidentially maintained. The childminder continually reviews her own practice and seeks parents comments to make ongoing improvements. She runs the local childminding network and regularly meets with other childminders to discuss their practice. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to regularly check the contents of the first aid box and to ensure the bottom of the garden is safe and secure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since that inspection the childminder now regularly checks her first aid box, this protects children's health by ensuring that the contents are sufficient and replaced when necessary. The garden is completely secure and a large lever-arch catch prevents children from opening the gate, this helps to keep them safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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