Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348301 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2007 Inspection date Janice Clark 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 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her three daughters aged two, 10 and 15-years old, in the Montpelier area of Bristol. The whole of the ground floor and the rear bedroom and bathroom of the first floor are used for childminding. There is a secure garden for children to play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight-years. There are currently three minded children on roll. The childminder is willing to take and collect children to and from the local school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder cares for children in a warm, homely environment where they enjoy the benefits of a routine that ensures the appropriate balance of rest and play. Opportunities to play in the garden and visit a park, provide children with fresh air and exercise. For example, children enjoy running and kicking a ball, climbing up and sliding down apparatus and balancing on a see-saw.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 This contributes to children's good health and assists in developing their large physical skills and co-ordination. The childminder follows basic hygiene routines in the home. Children begin to learn about self-care through simple hand washing routines. The childminder does not regularly clean toys and resources to ensure that they are hygienic for younger children to use. Therefore, children are at risk of cross infection. Children receive appropriate care if they are ill and the childminder informs parents of the sick children policy when they first start.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder consults parents regarding children's dietary and religious needs. Children enjoy the benefits of healthy eating. They eat fresh fruit and raisins for snacks and a variety of nutritious meals such as pasta with tuna and sweet corn, jacket potatoes, and quiche with salad and new potatoes. Children enjoy sampling Jamaican food such as Akee salt fish and this is one of their favourite meals. Drinks are always available to them. They sit at the table to eat their meals and this assists in promoting social skills. Appropriate seating is available to children to ensure that they eat in safety and comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment where there is sufficient room for them to play. Toys are easily accessible to children, this means that they have variety and choice in their play. The childminder has identified and minimised some risks to children such as, providing safety gates to prevent children from gaining access to the stairs leading from the ground floor level and covering all electrical sockets. However, the childminder has not identified some areas that require attention. For example, toys and items in the home are not organised appropriately and are, therefore, a trip hazard to children. There are trailing wires in the bedroom on the first floor. As a result, this compromises children's safety. Appropriate fire safety appliances are in place but the childminder has not fully thought through the evacuation procedure and does not practise this regularly with the children. The childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

keeps children safe on outings and discusses road safety. Therefore, children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most policies and procedures are in place to safeguard and promote children's welfare. For instance, the childminder has recently completed a first aid course. She is aware that the contents of the first aid box require to be in keeping with the list issued from that course. The childminder records accidents appropriately and although she has not yet administered medication, she is aware of the correct procedure to follow. However, the childminder does not obtain permission from parents to seek emergency aid or advice. She has a satisfactory understanding of the procedures to follow in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder welcomes children into her home as part of the family. Children are able to choose from a wide range of toys and resources. They dress-up as princesses with pretty dresses and they walk about on high-heal shoes. They enjoy playing with a doll's house and play people. The children laugh as the childminder encourages them to peek through the windows and doors to see if anyone is at home. They draw, paint, glue 'sticky' pictures and manipulate play dough. The childminder interacts well with the children. She is very sensitive towards children who are tearful, offering them lots of cuddles and distracting them with their favourite toys. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 learn about the environment when they are walking outdoors. They begin to learn maths skills by counting steps and recognising the colours of cars.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does not yet use a framework such as Birth to three matters to help her to assess children's development and to progress them onto the next stage. Children do not have opportunities to explore and investigate natural materials and tactile objects for instance, household items, gourds or fir cones, to further stimulate their curiosity and sense of discovery.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about the wider world and the diversity of others through a range of interesting artefacts that the childminder has collected from different countries. The childminder has some toys and resources that portray positive images such as, books, play people, puzzles and a few dressing-up clothes. The children learn about the local community through discussions, going on outings for example, walks, visits to the park, toddler and carer groups. The childminder has a positive attitude towards working with children and families with learning difficulties and or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes children's self-esteem through constant praise for their efforts. She encourages children to share for example, she explained, 'You can both share my lap, I have two knees, one for each of you to sit on'. She uses strategies such as, offering alternatives, distraction and good explanations when managing inappropriate behaviour and is extremely patient. However, the childminder is not consistent in her behaviour management and sometimes uses strategies that are inappropriate to the age and developmental stage of the child. As a result, some children feel insecure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages parents to settle their children slowly into the setting. This helps the children to build positive relationships with the childminder and consequently, they become happy and confident in her care. The childminder informs the parents about her policies and procedures when they first start and this helps to promote an understanding of how she works in practice. She is currently putting together a written profile of her procedures to show to parents to further promote this area. She discusses children's care and activities with the parents daily. This helps to promote continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her day to incorporate outings and visits to toddler groups and carer groups. As a result, children enjoy the benefits of a home environment, as well as socialising with other children and exploring different resources and activities. The childminder only cares for a small number of children at any one time and therefore, they have plenty of adult attention. Most policies and procedures are in place to promote children's well-being. However, the childminder does not obtain all required permissions from parents and the complaints procedure lacks necessary details. This does not fully promote children's welfare. The childminder provides an environment where children thrive, enjoy activities and make a positive contribution. However, some hygiene procedures and safety issues require attention. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take 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 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 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): • improve hygiene procedures and routines within the setting • conduct a risk assessment within the setting identifying actions to be taken to ensure children's safety and minimizing identified risks • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three-years by using an approach in line with Birth to three matters • develop effective and consistent ways to manage children's behaviour taking into account the age and developmental stage of the children • ensure that all policies and procedures are in line with the required National Standards

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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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