Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

506695 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2007 Inspection date Glenda Sinclair Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in a semi-detached, two-bedroom house in Down Hatherley, near Gloucester. She shares her home with her husband and two children, aged 12 and seven years. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden, for outside play, that has both paved and grassed areas. Local amenities, which are accessed by car, include a playgroup, a park, a school and childminder drop-in groups.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder first registered in 2001 and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She provides daily and after-school care, as well as holiday care, and currently minds six children during the week. Three of these children are under the age of eight years.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about personal hygiene from a very young age as the childminder helps them to wash their hands before eating. Older children are reminded that they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before snack time. Pump soap and paper towels are used to minimise

p.2

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 the risk of cross infection. The childminder sets a good example as she washes her hands after wiping a child's nose. Nappy changing procedures are appropriate to maintain a good standard of hygiene. Children have ample opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school or play in the garden. During hot weather, the childminder uses a gazebo to protect children from the sun. The childminder encourages parents to bring their child for several visits before leaving them. This gentle introduction allows young children to develop a warm relationship with the childminder and to develop a sense of trust and emotional well-being.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Younger children, attending during the day bring all their food with them. Lunch boxes are stored in the refrigerator to ensure the contents stay fresh. The childminder provides healthy, nutritious and appealing snacks for after-school children. They are given a good variety including pancakes, scones, fruit and cheese. The childminder does provide the odd treat, such as a cake. Drinks are readily available to older children and the childminder ensures that young children are offered frequent drinks to minimise any risk of dehydration.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder pays careful consideration to all aspects of children's safety and security. She has completed a written risk assessment, which is updated on a regular basis. The garden is totally enclosed and the front door is kept locked so that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. The garden has been made safe by putting a trellis fence around the greenhouse, using an ordinary washing line and by keeping the garage locked. Safety gates are used at the top and bottom of the stairs, so that children cannot play on the stairs or use them without adult supervision. Fire procedures are robust. The children practise a fire drill approximately every two months. The childminder records this and evaluates the procedure in order to learn where improvements can be made. Smoke alarms are checked regularly and this procedure is also recorded. Dangerous substances are stored securely in order to protect children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and indicators of child abuse. She is also aware of the procedure to follow, if she has concerns about the safety or welfare of any child in her care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children have the opportunity to learn more about their world as they go for walks to collect fir cones, go shopping or visit the local childminding or toddler group. They also enjoy visiting the local airport to watch the planes and helicopters take off, circle and land. The childminder makes regular observations to help her assess children's progress. As most of the play is child led, her planning is necessarily done retrospectively, in the form of a daily diary. She is very good at encouraging communication and extends vocabulary, whenever possible. However, there are few opportunities for the younger children to build using a variety of construction materials. They do enjoy garden activities, small world play, books, puzzles and craft activities as well as their trips out into the community. Children, who attend after school, have the opportunity to burn off some energy in a run-around on the playing field, close to

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their school. They also enjoy craft activities, such as modelling with recycled materials, and making Christmas cards and decorations. They also have access to board games and 'make-believe' play.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder responds well to the individual needs of the children in her care. She provides some resources, such as books and puzzles, to enable children to develop a positive view of the wide diversity within society. She has not been asked to care for a child with learning difficulties or disability but is prepared to do so, provided she has the support and training necessary to do the job properly. The childminder manages behaviour well. She uses praise and distraction naturally and is aware of the importance of consistency. She is also able to be firm, when required, for example when young children start throwing toys. Children are fully and happily occupied and, therefore, boredom does not pose a problem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. The childminder shows parents her policies and procedures initially and she keeps them verbally informed on a regular basis. She writes a daily diary for younger, non-verbal, children so that parents are able to keep fully abreast of their child's day.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She organises her home, her time and her resources so that children are able to play and learn happily and safely. The childminder has continued to undergo professional training and has also fitted in a large number of short courses to keep her knowledge current and relevant. She uses a system of self-evaluation to enable her to constantly review her provision for children.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has produced a comprehensive set of policies and procedures to keep parents informed about her provision. Her documentation is totally up-to-date. She has all the necessary parental permissions in place to protect children and her accident, registration and medication records are kept appropriately to ensure children's safety. All documentation is kept securely in order to maintain confidentiality.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to keep a sufficiently detailed record of significant issues and share this with parents. The childminder now keeps an incident book to record any significant event and parents sign to acknowledge that they have seen it.

p.4

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 any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 that all children have the opportunity to extend their physical and creative development through the provision of construction materials.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5