Childminder in Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY294691 Inspection date 03 August 2005 Inspector Susan June Stone

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives in the town of Frome in Somerset, and is registered to offer care from her Grandmothers home, which is also in Frome. Most of the downstairs is available for childminding purposes. Children have access to a dedicated play room, rear garden, upstairs bathroom and a bedroom for sleeping, with occasional use of the lounge. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part time basis. Two of whom are aged under five years. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is

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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 well qualified, holding an NNEB certificate, First Aid as well as baby massage and face painting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally clean and well maintained environment with systems in place to help reduce the spread of infection, like wiping tables before meals. Children are helped to develop an awareness of appropriate hygiene practices, like using tissues for runny noses and washing hands. However, hand washing routines before meals are not being promoted for all children. The younger children cared for are not learning the importance of personal hygiene in relation to food. Children enjoy the social occasion of mealtimes, and the younger children are developing their independence and acquiring the skills needed to feed themselves. Children’s individual dietary needs are known and supported due to regular discussions with parents and the keeping of appropriate records. Parents provide food for their children which is stored appropriately. Drinks of juice and water are

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Helping children to be healthy

available throughout the day, and children can readily access their drinks when they are thirsty. Children’s individual sleep routines are well supported which contributes to their healthy development and helps them feel secure. The childminder has an awareness of dealing with sick children, and holds a current first aid certificate. However, the first aid box contains some items that are not in line with current guidance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and homely environment where risks are identified and minimised. The main playroom is bright, cheerful and inviting to the children, with their artwork and posters on display. The room is well organised to offer plenty of floor space, which allows the children to play in comfort. The childminder ensures good standards of safety are maintained in all areas used by the children, this allows them to move about freely and safely under her close supervision. Effective safety measures like using stair gates have been put in place, which helps the children to play and be cared for in a safe environment. The childminder monitors and supervises the toys that the children play with to make sure they are safe and appropriate to use. For example, making sure that the toys with small pieces, are not accessible to the babies. Younger children are free to explore and play safely, as

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

hazards have been effectively minimised. The childminder helps the children to learn about how to keep themselves safe, like reminding them to sit on chairs correctly and encouraging the children to tidy away the toys. This helps the children to take some responsibility for their own safety and well being.

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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 The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures. She has attended a Child Protection training course to support this and has a clear understanding of her role in the protection of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing good relationships with the childminder and their peers, and they are confident and settled within the setting. The childminder spends time giving cuddles and reassurance to the younger children and babies which helps them feel secure. She gives praise and smiles to all children which help to build their self esteem. Children’s individual care routines are known and respected, for example recognising and accommodating sleep routines and rest requirements. The childminder provides opportunities for the children to play both indoors and outdoors. The children play happily together and occupy themselves from the toys available each day, and they are learning and developing naturally through their play. Supervised activities are provided for the younger children, although these are not always specifically planned to encourage individual development. The childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

rotates the toys daily so as to offer a range of different play experiences for the children. She has a range of resources to cater for the needs of children under three-years, but has insufficient resources for children aged three-years and above. Therefore the needs of these children are not being adequately met. The childminder regularly visits the local childminder toddler sessions. Here the children benefit from additional resources and are able to further develop their social skills by interacting with the other children attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Good relationships have been developed with parents. Written policies and procedures are available to parents to inform them of the care offered. Time is allowed daily to talk and share any necessary information concerning the children. This allows for the children’s individual needs to be identified and addressed. The younger children and babies benefit from these discussions, for example the childminder continuing and respecting normal daily routines for sleeping and eating. The childminder has a sound understanding of the individual needs and routines of the younger children and babies cared for, which helps them to feel secure. However the needs of the older children attending during holiday periods are not being suitably acknowledged or addressed. Through her written policy the childminder demonstrates an understanding of equal opportunities and how this can be reflected in her childminding. She offers a basic

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Helping children make a positive contribution

range of toys that promotes children’s understanding of the values of diversity, though the selection for all children is limited.

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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 The children are learning what is right from wrong and manners like saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ are encouraged by the childminder. She uses appropriate explanations when behaviour does not meet expectations. For example asking child to sit on chair properly, also telling young child it is not safe to sit on the table ‘you may fall and hurt yourself.’ This means the children are able to understand why their actions or behaviour are not acceptable. The children respond well to the childminders positive guidance and praise.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The use of the registered areas are well planned in order to meet the children’s play and care needs. The childminder prepares the environment for the children’s arrival to keep them safe and to provide suitable care. For example ensuring all safety measures are in place and a selection of toys being available for the children to access. She mostly organises time sufficiently well and generally meets the needs of the range of children. However with the varied age group cared for, the childminder does not always ensure that the older children are engaged in suitable activities or experiences which will meet their needs. Written policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents to keep them informed of the service provided. The daily exchange of information with parents, and the regular reviewing of records, adds to the consistency of the children’s care. Parent’s views and contributions are respected. The childminder ensures that

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Organisation

confidential information is kept secure in a dedicated childminding file. All documentation required by Ofsted is in place, records are kept with regard to accidents and medication administered, however medication records are not fully completed with parent signatures to acknowledge that medication has been administered.

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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

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): • ensure good hygiene practices are maintained regarding children's hand washing routines • make sure the contents of the first aid box are suitable and in line with current guidance • provide a suitable range of activities and resources in order to meet the needs of the children aged three years and above, and to reflect positive images of diversity • consider ways that that the care for the under threes could be further enhanced, for example obtaining, and using the Birth to Three matters guidance as reference • make sure that medication records are fully completed with parent signatures to acknowledge that medication has been administered

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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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