Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY290106 Inspection date 10 August 2005 Inspector Sara Bailey

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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 good. 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and eleven years of age in Tiverton, Devon. The whole of the bungalow is used for childminding except the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed, large garden with a swimming pool for outside play. The childminder currently minds one child under eight years of age. She also minds children over eight years. The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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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 The family have two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. Children's individual needs are exceptionally well understood and effectively met through detailed information sharing with parents, for example, daily routines are recorded and carefully adhered to which ensures consistency between home and the childminder. Children's individual sleep and feeding patterns are skilfully managed to ensure each child has their needs met alongside others, for example, a young child who likes stories before his daytime sleep is given special one to one attention, whilst her own child of a similar age unwinds alongside her with a video as this is his preferred way to prepare for sleep. Children's bedtime is relaxed and special with nappy changing, a drink and cuddles prior to being put down in clean, cosy cots

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Helping children to be healthy

within a darkened room. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through well established, daily routines. They understand simple good health practices due to the childminders positive role model. Young children are lifted to the sink to wash their hands and a step is being introduced to develop their independence. Children observe the childminder washing her hands, wiping down the changing mat and disposing of nappies hygienically. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where the childminder is vigilant about hygiene. Children benefit from regular drinks, especially when outdoors in the sunshine. The childminder constantly reminds children about the importance of drinking and their beakers are easily accessible for them to be independent. Children's dietary requirements are met exceptionally well. Weekly menu's are displayed that contain nutritious, homemade healthy meals with lots of fruit and vegetables. Young

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Helping children to be healthy

children's food is provided by parents is heated following high standards of food hygiene awareness. Children are safeguarded as food is tested by the childminder to ensure it is appropriate and of correct temperature. Children enjoy regular physical activities either in the large, stimulating garden or on walks and visits to local parks and beaches. Children benefit from exemplary supervision and support in the garden. Young children are encouraged to try climbing up and down steps and new skills at their own pace. The childminder is nearby at all times, allowing for children to explore but be on hand to ensure accidents are minimised. Children's health records are comprehensive and professional. Documentation is shared with parents effectively.

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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 provision is good. Children move safely, freely and independently around the home as the childminder gives high priority to safety. Most risks are appropriately addressed. Children are encouraged to explore the exciting garden with high levels of supervision and support. Children experience safe water play in the childminder's swimming pool that is carefully monitored to ensure chemical levels are correct and again supervision is vigilant, with children wearing life jackets. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the childminder's good knowledge of child protection issues. She has good links with Social Services and is proactive in organising training to further her knowledge on child protection. Children are kept safe from strangers as each child's individual file contains photographs of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

family members authorised to collect children. Children independently select toys and activities from a wide range of good quality resources and equipment, which meet safety standards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and settled at the childminders home. They thrive on the excellent interaction and support provided by the childminder. Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiastic approach to play and learning. Children learn new words constantly, their vocabulary is developed as they explore the outside and enjoy sharing books, for example, a young child kicked a ball, the childminder said "ball" and the child repeated the word, she further developed his language by explaining "its black and white" and then encouraged him to hold it and said "it's squashy and wet". Children enjoy the childminder singing songs which she links to their play, for example, when an aeroplane flies over the song is about an aeroplane, when the child plays in a sit and ride car the song is about a car. Children's individual play needs are met effectively due to the childminder's very

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

good knowledge of child development and carefully following daily routines in line with home. Children benefit from one to one time with the childminder for special times such as stories before bed. Children are provided with high levels of care and affection that means they are secure and confident. Young children are particularly well understood and encouraged to develop at their own pace. They benefit from the childminder's interest and positive approach to the 'Birth to Three Matters framework'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and have good self esteem due to the childminder's constant praise and encouragement. Children are valued and their differences respected which results in their individual needs being met effectively. Children's

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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 emotions are explored and they are given appropriate support to develop their confidence within a safe and secure environment, for example, a young child is naturally wary of the inspector in the home. The childminder is skilful at introducing the child to the new situation, building his confidence at his own pace so that his routine is not disrupted and he develops new social skills which are praised. Children's behaviour is managed appropriately. Children with special needs are well supported and their individual needs taken into account in the planning and organisation of the day to ensure they feel secure at all times, for example, a child who is anxious about food has a menu prepared in advance to reassure. The childminder liaises with parents and other professionals to ensure the child's needs

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are met effectively. Children benefit from positive partnerships between the childminder and parents. Children's development and progress is shared, verbally in detail each day. The childminder is preparing to write reports that will use the 'Birth to Three Matters framework' to introduce parents to the four aspects of young children's development. Children learn about the wider world through books and resources, for example, the childminder sponsors a child in Africa and shares photographs with the children which develops into meaningful discussions about other cultures.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the highly effective way the childminder organises her time and space. Indoor and outdoor areas are laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. The garden is exciting with a variety of challenging experiences which are supervised to the highest standard. The childminder is exceptionally vigilant about supervising children directly and has systems in place to ensure children are not able to access areas without her. Children receive high levels of attention as the numbers minded are specifically kept low to ensure individual needs are met at all times. Children receive exceptional amounts of special time to explore and develop at their own pace. Children are not rushed with any activity yet the childminder is still able to keep daily routines on track, for example, the childminder observes a young child is tired around his usual morning

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Organisation

nap time, she starts the wind down process and prepares him for sleep with way above normal attention to detail. The child has several stories from his favourite books whilst snuggled in, the routine follows exactly the same detail as at home and then they pull the blind together saying 'goodbye' to the sunshine, night-night to Mummy and Daddy, and a musical mobile is put on to soothe him to sleep. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the high standard of record keeping and organisation of documentation. The childminder's enthusiasm for her role and responsibilities is inspiring. The children respond to her positive approach. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it 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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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 good. 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): • ensure alcohol and bathroom locks are inaccessible to children

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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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