Childminder in Torbay

Inspection report for early years provision

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155005 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2007 Inspection date Lorna Brackstone 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 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 lives with her two school-aged children in the Foxhole area of Paignton. She was registered in 2001 and provides care for up to five children under the age of eight. The childminder provides care, Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00, and there are currently three children on roll. The family keep fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the house is suitable for childminding purposes although the childminder tends to use downstairs rooms. The safely enclosed garden is reached via a communal pathway and steps. Children are always accompanied by the childminder whilst in the garden. The childminder has the use of a car to transport the children if necessary. The childminder is a member of a Devon Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well protected from infection through the childminder’s good routines, such as keeping the toys and equipment clean. The risk of cross-infection is reduced because the

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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 childminder has agreed with parents that they must allow their children 24 hours to recover from stomach upsets. Children gain self-care skills to promote good hygiene through regularly washing their hands and using small flannels and wet wipes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has good procedures to ensure that parents give detailed consent in the event of a request for medication to be administered. The childminder has a current first aid certificate which ensures that the children are efficiently looked after in the event of a minor accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthily because the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure that they bring a sensible packed lunch and healthy snacks. Their drinks are readily available so that they have a good fluid intake. They have regular opportunities for fresh air when they go to the local park. However, because the back garden is not well equipped with outdoor resources which can be used as an integral part of the day, the children do not get enough time to develop their physical skills outdoors and keep fit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and secure in the welcoming premises. The childminder pays good attention to safety issues and because there are precautionary locks on drawers and cabinets where potential hazards are stored, the children are kept safe. A safety gate at the bottom of the stairs ensures that the children do not venture upstairs unaccompanied. The childminder has consulted the local fire brigade who have advised her on a clear evacuation plan in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most of the play equipment is arranged at children's level and they enjoy the freedom of the downstairs space. The resources used indoors are in good condition and meet safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children really benefit from the very good relationships they enjoy with the childminder. She gives them her full attention and they interact very well with her. Children enjoy learning through play because the childminder ensures that they have an excellent range of resources to play with. The childminder skilfully introduces new ideas when the children’s attention starts to wane. For example, after playing with a road map and garage, the children climbed into an empty storage box, the childminder pretended they were in a bath and started to wash their hair and shower them down. The children roared with laughter and asked for this to be repeated several times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Through the childminder’s exciting dialogue with the children, their speech and language develop very well. They learn to count up to 10 using their fingers and start to recognise colours. The children quickly understand that print carries meaning because the childminder reads lots of very well chosen stories to them in an extremely interesting manner. They recognise particular favourites, such as ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ and join in with the repetition of the text.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder meets the needs of the children well and ensures that their welfare is fully promoted. All the children are treated equally and good behaviour is encouraged through a positive approach. Children are given jobs to do, such as fetching the daily post as it drops through the door or taking their yoghurt pot to the bin and this helps them to take responsibility. They play well with each other and have a clear understanding of what acceptable behaviour. This is because the childminder makes it very clear that unacceptable behaviour is not tolerated. They respond positively to this because they do not want to make their childminder or playmates unhappy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder takes the children out regularly to meet other youngsters and this enables them to play as part of a group. Children have access to books which reflect different cultures and the programmes they watch on the television illustrate diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder’s high commitment to building good working relationships with their parents. The daily feedback she provides ensures that the parents know what their children have been doing during the day. It enables them to talk to their children about their activities and then follow them through at home if they wish. She has a written agreement with the parents and has appropriate understanding of procedures to follow in the event of a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is a very suitable person who keeps up to date with current practice and training. All relevant documentation is in place, and stored securely, to ensure children’s safety and well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder provides an indoor space that is stimulating and full of interest. Children feel very safe to explore and experiment in their play. She allows children to choose indoors activities from a very well planned selection of resources. This includes well chosen craft work, good opportunities to write and draw and role modelling activities with dolls, prams and indoor tents. The childminder interacts extremely well with them to maximise their enjoyment and learning. The children experience a good variety of well organised activities throughout the week. This includes trips to the beach, the garden centre and different places of interest. However, the garden area is not organised or used for regular play. This means that their physical skills and fitness levels are not developed outside.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide details of fire precautions. The fire brigade have checked her premises and she has produced a plan for evacuation in the event of a fire. She was also asked to improve the nutritional value of the snacks which were given to the children and this has been achieved. She requests that parents only send healthy snacks for the children

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Improvements 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

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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.

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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 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): • make further use of the outdoor area to help the children develop their physical skills and keep fit.

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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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