Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356023 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2007 Inspection date Kay Roberts 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 registered in 2007. She lives with her partner and child aged 18 months. The home is a Victorian end terraced property in Knowle, Bristol. On the ground floor minded children have access to the hall, playroom and kitchen, and on the first floor they are able to use two bedrooms. Bathroom facilities are also located on the first floor. Registration is for a maximum of three children under eight years and currently there is one child on roll under five years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a clean environment where their health is suitably promoted. The risk of infection is minimised as the childminder's policy for excluding children who are sick is shared with parents. In addition, the childminder follows hygienic procedures, for example, providing individual towels and flannels. Children learn the importance of hygiene through the daily routine as they wash their hands before eating a snack. A small step is provided so that children

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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 are able to reach the wash hand basin independently. There are safe procedures in place for managing both accidents and medication, so that children's welfare is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthy snacks and home cooked meals, which are discussed with parents to ensure they take into consideration any allergies, as well as children's likes or dislikes. The menu also includes cultural diversity so that children become familiar with a wide range of tastes. Children are independent in feeding themselves dried apricots and raisins as a snack. They do not go hungry as they are offered more. Drinks are offered on a frequent basis, so young children do not get thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Minded children do not get overtired as the childminder recognises when they require a sleep. Before going to sleep babies are provided with emotional security as they are given their comforter from home and the childminder offers them a cuddle and a kiss before gently placing them in a cot where they are able to sleep undisturbed by their peers. Children develop large muscle skills as they are provided with space to move around and appropriate resources, such as buggies and sit and ride toys. They have opportunities to extend their skills when they visit soft play where they climb and scramble, and local parks where they use some of the smaller equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children relax in the bright, welcoming, child focussed environment, which is decorated and maintained to a suitable standard throughout. In the playroom, which is the main focus for childminding activities, music plays quietly in the background. Children's art work and educational posters are displayed on the walls. The broad range of clean, safe resources are placed at child height, so children make informed decisions about what they play with. Children's interest is sustained as the childminder regularly supplements her resources by using a toy library. Children move around freely between the kitchen, play room and hall. Space available for play is maximised as furniture is placed to the side of the room. The playroom is organised into different areas of learning and provides space for physical activity, and play and relaxation on the sofa, which is made more inviting with a selection of Disney character cushions. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

room for sleep is also attractively presented with a large 'Winnie the Pooh' on one wall. At present children do not have access to the back garden and the childminder is trying to address this, so that children have more opportunities to be in the fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a secure environment so they do not leave unnoticed and are only released to authorised adults. There is a suitable procedure in place for protecting children from people who have not been vetted. The risk of an accident has been reduced as the childminder has sought to eliminate many potential hazards, for example, by placing catches on cupboards so that children can not access chemicals and using stair gates on the top and bottom of the stairs. However, if children attempt to climb or pull on the shelving in either the play room or the third bedroom, they may be injured as the shelves may fall on top of them. Fire safety has been considered, there is a written plan, exits are kept clean and smoke alarms are fitted at each level. However, children are not fully protected as the fire blanket has yet to be secured to the wall in the kitchen, so that it is quickly available in an emergency and the emergency evacuation

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedure has yet to be practised with children. Children are further protected as the childminder has a safe system for protecting children on outings and is suitably informed about local safeguarding procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are emotionally secure in the childminder's routine and as they snuggle in. They are happy and have fun as they play with the childminder, who places herself at child height. Young children explore toys by mouthing and run a car across the floor. Co-ordination is used as they pretend to use a toy dustpan and brush. Young children are able to communicate with the childminder by signing, so they do not get frustrated when she is unable to understand their spoken words. Verbal communication is also encouraged. When children show an interest in a book, they vocalise as the childminder explains what is happening on each page. She tells the story of 'Old McDonald's Farm' using a story sack so that children's concentration skills are encouraged. At other times the childminder sings to young children so they become familiar with language. Sometimes young children listen to nursery rhymes and try to keep to the beat

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

using shakers. Children make decisions about what they play with and, as the childminder follows through on their interests, are motivated to learn. When children pick up a simple jigsaw puzzle the childminder shows them how to fit the pieces together. As she does so, she names the object on the piece of jigsaw and sounds the letter of the alphabet. They learn from the childminder's example as she shows them how to build a tower with stacking beakers, which she counts so that they become familiar with numbers and how to bang a toy hammer when they put a helmet on their head. Opportunities to extend their social skills are provided when they regularly visit a toddler group, story time at the library and soft play. The childminder makes regular observations of children, but is not yet using this information to plan for children's next steps in learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop confidence knowing they are all valued and included. The childminder acknowledges each achievement and responds to their individual needs, which is aided by the effective two way communication book, which is shared with parents, and daily discussion. The relaxed relationship between parents and childminder provides emotional security for children. Parents are aware of the childminder's practices as they have a copy of her personalised policies and procedures. Fully detailed contracts ensure that both parties are clear about their remit.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are provided with opportunities to learn about the wider world. With gentle persuasion from the childminder, young children learn to share and when they do so, are applauded. They begin to understand about the local community as they visit soft play, a signing group, toddler groups and parks. A love of nature is fostered as children visit city farms on a weekly basis. Initially children were a little concerned about the size of the animals, but have now grown in confidence. They are able to sign some farm animals and know the sounds they make. Children develop a positive attitude to difference as they look at books and play with resources reflecting positive images of diversity. They listen to songs from other countries and eat multi-cultural cuisine.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is appropriately qualified and is keen to commence a Developing Childminding Practice training in September 2007. The childminder is able to assess her provision and plans for future

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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 development include making the garden safe for use by children, providing more information to parents and extending the number of resources. The childminder is well organised and provides an inviting, child focussed environment, where children have space for play, relaxation and physical activity. Children are happy and relaxed with the childminder. They are motivated to learn as the childminder follows through on their interests and provides many first hand experiences, for example, visiting farms. Documentation complies with both regulatory requirements and the National Standards so that children's health, safety and well being are promoted.

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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): • extend children's learning opportunities by developing a safe, suitably resourced outside area • improve fire safety by securing fire blanket to the wall in the kitchen and practising the emergency evacuation with children • ensure that shelving does not pose a risk to children • extend planning so that it takes into consideration children's individual needs.

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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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