Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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161859 Unique Reference Number 04 September 2007 Inspection date Beverley Blackburn 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 11 and seven years. They live in a house in Chippenham. Within the local vicinity, there are schools, parks and a library. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and to the first floor except for the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family own one cat and a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than five children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for eight children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, and a member of Trio Childminding Network. She is an accredited childminder and qualifies to access the nursery education grant.

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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 under the care of this childminder owing to the excellent range of practices and procedures she uses to maintain their good health and physical well-being. She implements her written hygiene policy effectively, with the result that children use an extremely clean home environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn effective hygiene practices; such as, washing hands before eating, with the childminder's encouragement. Young children wash faces after eating meals, if needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The management of pets and regular cleaning routines ensures that children play in a hygienic environment which minimises risk of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children eat and drink extremely healthily. The childminder involves the parents of those children who stay all day, in choosing main meals. These are nutritious, healthy and home-cooked. Others bring suitable packed lunches to sustain them through the day. Children are very much aware of how to eat and drink healthily. They are made aware of the importance of eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fresh drinking water is readily available. The childminder works with the parents to support healthy eating and ensures that special dietary needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which encourage their physical development. There are regular walks to town, visits to the park, playing in the garden and use of the climbing frame to develop their physical skills. Children are given very good opportunity to run around and exercise and enjoy the fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in an extremely welcoming and child-friendly environment. The childminder organises her home exceptionally well, providing a designated playroom which is inviting and attractive. It contains an extensive range of high quality, well maintained resources and toys, suited to all ages. These are stored and organised so that toys are easily accessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of potential hazards inside and outside of the home and puts appropriate measures in place so that children are safe such as soft stair gates which prevent children hurting themselves against it, and also to prevent them climbing on it. This ensures children's risk of accidental injuries are minimised. The garden is regularly checked before children are allowed out to play. The childminder skilfully helps children to understand the importance of safety on the road and how to protect themselves from danger.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable fire prevention precautions are in place. All children practise the emergency evacuation procedure, which is particularly well thought out. The childminder helps the children to understand the urgency of getting out of the house quickly and safely in the event of a fire; by setting scenarios through fun activities to give children a clear understanding of the procedure. The childminder carries out six monthly practises and varies them so that children exit from different rooms.

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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 very well safeguarded. This due to the childminder's thorough knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. She keeps accurate records of children's injuries and continues to develop her knowledge of child protection by attending training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy the experiences and activities offered by the childminder. She draws on the Guidance to the Foundation Stage and the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to plan interesting and stimulating experiences. These activities support all areas of their development exceedingly well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children benefit from the childminder's through knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and have access to stimulating range of activities that help to promote their development. Younger children learn through using all their senses. They participate in an extensive range of 'messy' play activities; such as, 'shaving foam', hand-painting, Gelli Baff, where the children experience the changes of water to gelli and back to water again. They enjoy the sensory experience of these activities. The children enjoy participating in new activities such as making bread; mixing it, kneading it and watching it raise and then enjoying the taste of freshly made bread. They are also involved in activities such as planting flowers and tomatoes and watch them grow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder promotes language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. Older children are helped to increase their literacy skills and an understanding of current affairs by the childminder providing them with a children's newspaper called "First new", in which the children shows interest and enjoyment in reading. The childminder effectively adapt activities to the age and development of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are making good progress with the childminder, which is shown through records on each child, photographs, children's work and observation. A Scrapbook of the children's achievements are well presented and shared with the parent. The children are happy and are confidently enjoying themselves and achieving.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children flourish in this childminder's care. She treats each as an individual, working hard to ensure that all, including those with learning difficulties and or disabilities, are looked after appropriately. A strong, positive relationship with the children's parents contributes significantly to this as she consults effectively to discover any special requirements. Excellent communication between them means that parents may fully understand her childminding methods and policies, all working together to the children's benefit. The childminder has excellent experiences of dealing with children with learning difficulties and or physical disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides an excellent range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, enabling children to learn about differences and linking with school activities of older children. She actively encourages the children to develop an awareness of their environment and uses activities such as gardening to promote an interest in living, growing things. Children are able to enjoy visiting places such as soft play, visits to the park and toddlers group.

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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 Children behave extremely well when in the childminder's care. They benefit from consistent and clear boundaries and the calm approach of the childminder. Children make themselves at home, becoming confident about making choices and asking what they want to play with from a young age. Relationships are excellent. All children get on exceptionally well together. The childminder presents herself a positive, cheerful role-model, praising children often. She shares her written behaviour policy with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with the parents who are kept well informed about their child's progress through scrapbooks, photo of the children at play, which are available to the parents on computer discs. Parents show their appreciation for the excellent care the children are receiving through, kind words, thank you cards and letters.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's ability to organise her home, time and documentation exceptionally well for childminding purposes. All legally required paperwork, together with her written policies and planning, is kept extremely methodically, confidentially and ready for inspection. She implements her policies and procedures effectively to the children's benefit so that their welfare is safeguarded. This paperwork underpins her work and incorporates the Foundation Stage and 'Birth to three matters' framework. She provides a highly suitable environment in which children are happy and their welfare is her first concern. Children feel secure as they follow familiar routines and receive individual attention. Parents are made fully aware of her methods and each is given information about what to do should they have a complaint. She attends relevant training courses regularly, using the knowledge gained to

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Organisation

support children's learning and to improve her practice further and to make a difference for children in her care. 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 complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder has now a valid first aid certificate in place. She is able to effectively promote children's good health and to take appropriate measure it they become ill.

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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 any 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 the complaints made by parent, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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

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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