Childminder in Isle of Wight

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 119830 Inspection date 10 October 2005 Inspector Sue Williams

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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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is adult and one of school age. The family live in the town of East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. All areas of the property are registered for child minding, however the childminder chooses to use the ground floor only for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for no more than six children at any one time. There are currently 18 children on roll. The childminder drives children to and from local schools. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups. Children have

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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 supervised access to the family dog with written parental consent.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from becoming ill because the childminder takes strategic measures to limit the spread of infection and disease. For example, children are learning about personal hygiene because the childminder talks to them about why they need to wash their hands after toileting and before meals. As children become more able and confident they manage their own personal hygiene, sometimes using wipes sometimes soap and water. Cross infection is limited because the children have their own towels and beakers. The childminder washes baby toys in the dishwasher if possible and other toys are cleaned regularly. She is very aware that baby toys are often put near their mouths. Children are further protected because the childminder has an exclusion policy for sick children in respect of maintaining the good health of the other children in the setting. Nappy changing mats are the child's

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Helping children to be healthy

own. Babies are chatted to while they are having their nappies changed. The childminder is meticulous about cleanliness and hand washing although she is reluctant to wear disposable gloves for nappy changing procedures. Children take part in regular physical play. The toddler is learning to walk and the childminder helps and encourages her with toys and making certain the furniture is stable as she uses this to pull herself into a standing position. Children use the garden and visit the park regularly for more robust play. Children have a balanced diet. The childminder provides meals for the minded children. Parents select from an extensive menu of healthy options with vegan alternatives such as Soya products. Menus cover breakfast lunch and tea. Children are learning about healthy eating through discussion and example. At snack time children enjoy foods such as carrot batons, cucumber, raisins, breadsticks, fresh or

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Helping children to be healthy

dried fruit, plain biscuits and occasionally crisps. Drinks offered are sugar free squashes, milk, tea and hot chocolate. Weaning programmes are supported and would be advised if appropriate. The baby enjoys being cuddled and taking her bottle on the childminder's lap. Dietary needs are recorded and addressed. Occasionally packed lunches are provided if the children go on a special day out. Meals are taken at the table and a high chair with reins ensures babies are included in this social time. It is particularly lively at tea time when the after school children join the setting and chat to each other and the babies. Good manners are encouraged and shown by example.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are secure and well supervised. They use the ground floor of the home and move around with growing confidence. They have access to a lounge, dining room

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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 and kitchen. There is a toilet/bathroom on the ground floor and a secure rear garden for outside play. Children play freely, sometimes extending their play into the garden. Children are welcomed into a clean home. The childminder knows the children well and sets out favourite toys to give them a sense of belonging and security. Colourful posters make the environment stimulating, for example the childminder has displayed a poster in the dining room for the older children showing the importance of cycling safety and the need to wear helmets. Children have all the facilities they need. For example, if they wish to sleep there are two sofas, although babies prefer their buggies and prams. The family dining table can seat ten children and there is a high chair with restraints. Children use clean toilet facilities; a step, potties and child seat

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are available if necessary. Toys and resources are safe, plentiful and regularly checked. Children settle well, they play, eat and relax in a comfortable home setting. Children are safe in the setting because the childminder has carefully risk assessed her home. She takes strategic measures to minimise potential accidents both in the home and on outings. For example, she has made all areas of the garden safe and affixed latches or bolts to both sides of gates making it difficult for young children to reach over and release. Children are safe in the home because harmful substances are locked away. Gates bar access to the stairs and all fire safety measures are in place. The childminder has written fire safety plans, checklist and emergency evacuation procedures in place and exits are clear. On outings children are further protected because the childminder has car safety seats and takes a small notebook

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of information about the children with her such as names and addresses, GP and emergency contact numbers. The children have received a small bear with a safety slogan on his tee shirt. He demonstrates the childminder has had all her car seats checked by safety experts. Children are learning the safety rules. They know they must hold hands or the buggy when walking to the park. The childminder has reins or a double buggy to use if necessary. Babies are learning to stay safe. For example, they are learning to go down the steps backwards at the parent and toddler group they visit. They listen to the conversations and understand what 'no' means and why there are gates at the foot of the stairs. Children are protected from abuse. The childminder has a good working knowledge of possible signs and symptoms. She has a procedure flowchart and has a written statement of intent regarding child protection within the parent folder. The childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understands her duty as a professional child carer to safeguard children. She knows the procedures and will take any action necessary to promote and maintain the safety and welfare of children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and settled. They select activities from a wide range of excellent quality resources and apparatus. They respond to adult's interest. For example, a child engages in imaginative play with the childminder; playing with home corner equipment and discussing the food she is offering to us, and to the baby who has recently woken up. "Peas are good for the baby" (as plastic peas and pizza are on

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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 offer.) Much interchange, please and thank you and "may we have a cup of tea too." Children use play dough and also enjoy cooking. One child recently made a cake with the childminder for her mother's birthday. Children have a selection of musical instruments. The childminder's son 'teaches' the children to play the piano with him which is great fun. Older children who come after school also enjoy visits to the park for more robust play. They look forward to having an iced lolly, relaxing on comfortable sofas, using art materials or watching selected videos before tea is served. Children enjoy visits to local clubs where they engage in messy play. They attend local parent and toddler sessions where they meet other children and adults. The children enjoy outings with the childminder's professional colleagues and their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children. Visits to places of local interest such as Carisbrooke Castle, where a donkey in a wheel operates the well; Osborne House, where they enjoy pony and trap rides and have birthday picnics and trips to the library where they have made spiders, are some of the outings the children have enjoyed. These venues, together with visits to the local zoo, horse riding and travelling on a double decker bus contribute to the children's understanding of the wider world. The children are beginning to explore with confidence, they develop new skills through play, challenge and the exciting new experiences the childminder provides. Babies have a selection of toys which are their own. They like the colourful programmable toys, posting boxes and large building blocks to make towers with. They especially like items of interest which the childminder collects for them in the treasure box. For example, blister packaging, fabrics, safe wooden and plastic items

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which they investigate, squash and handle. They like being involved in activities with the older children and sitting on the childminder's lap for stories.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children value diversity. They are learning about the wider world through outside visits and discussion about who and what they see when out and about or on television. The childminder is sensitively aware of the change in family structure. There are no gender issues and all children play with all the toys. Children with additional needs are well supported within the setting. The childminder has undertaken signing courses to help children who may have speech and language difficulties. She is also enrolled on a behaviour management course later in the year. The childminder works with parents and other professionals to maximise children's development and potential. Resources are adapted to meet the individual needs of the children. Children are considerate. They are learning to negotiate and take turns. The childminder has an excellent awareness of children's differing levels of behaviour and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

understanding. Children are learning the rules as in holding the buggy when out walking. They learn good manners at mealtimes, play well and are beginning to learn to resolve disputes with less adult intervention. Time out is only used when behaviour becomes very challenging. Children receive praise for good behaviour, achievement

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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 and kindness to one another. The written behaviour policy is upheld in practice. Children's needs are met through the childminder's excellent partnership with parents. For example, the childminder has collated a file of useful information, policies, procedures and evidence of vetting procedures regarding her family's suitability to be with young children. Prospective parents may visit and ascertain whether they feel comfortable about leaving their child in the setting. This is a two way process as parents may impose constraints which spoil the outings and visits which existing children and families would wish to continue. Contracts, which are the childminder's own, are carefully negotiated with the parents to ensure children receive a care package to meet their individual needs. Consent forms, sharing of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

documentation, together with a daily verbal exchange on arrival and departure ensure two way communication is optimum. The childminder includes former inspection reports and thank you cards within the parent folder for their perusal.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for because the childminder is suitably experienced and qualified to do so. She has a clear sense of purpose. For example, she has completed the pre-registration training, was formerly a nurse and has children of her own who are now young adults. Ongoing training has been pursued since her registration because she takes her role as a professional child carer very seriously. She has completed many training courses to enhance the care she provides. These are listed in the evidence file and not the report. She is updating her child protection/safeguarding children qualification and is enrolled on a Positive Behaviour Management course 12/11/2005. She completed a days training on Birth to Three Matters 14/09/2005 and her First Aid is valid until 2008. The forms for clearance for her son have been completed and forwarded but no evidence is available to verify

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Organisation

confirmation from CRB to the childminder. Children are secure in the setting because the childminder has excellent organisational skills. For example, she has acquired membership of English Heritage, the swimming club and local library in order to enhance the variety and quality of service she offers to families and children. She ensures ratios are maintained when accepting children into the provision and keeps a daily register notating arrival and departure times. She has reciprocal arrangements with other professional childminders in the area in case of emergencies. The childminder also organises Christmas and birthday parties for all the children in her care. The childminder keeps clear records about the children. All records are well maintained and professionally filed. They are stored to access easily but filed in respect of confidentiality. The childminder works within the bounds of professional

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Organisation

confidentiality and will not engage in gossip about families in her care. Car insurance and MOT are valid. The childminder has procedures in place to record and pursue any complaints which may arise. Her registration certificate is displayed on the wall together with a clear complaints procedure including the regulators contact numbers for parents where issues may not be resolved 'in house'. Information is shared with

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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 parents about their child regularly. 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 ensure the premises and garden were secure and the garden was free from dog faeces. The childminder was also asked to provide evidence of a current MOT and car insurance certificate and to seek written consent from parents for emergency treatment. Children are safe because both the garden and home are secure. The childminder keeps a chain on the front door and the back door has an elevated bolt. The garden has gated areas and the gates have latches both sides, the side entrance gate has an elevated bolt. The garden is checked to make sure it is safe and clear of dog faeces each day prior to children going out to play. Current MOT and car insurance are now retained in a file to which all parents have access. This file contains information, policies, CRB clearance documents and procedures. Her son has completed the CRB clearance forms but there is no evidence that this has been processed and forwarded to the childminder at the time

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Improvements since the last inspection

of inspection. Children are further protected because the childminder has incorporated written consent for emergency treatment within her childminding contracts.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to report 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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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 required clearances are in place on all household members.

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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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