Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

511018 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Sylvia Dindar 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 outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1994 and is registered to care for four children. At present the childminder has four children on roll. She works with three other childminders within her own home and when working together there may be no more than eight children present.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband in a house in the Mortlake area. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding along with two bedrooms upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a member of the Childminding Network.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Clear and highly effective procedures are written into policies so that parents have a clear understanding of the childminder’s responsibility to ensure all children's good health. They

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 sign to agree that they will abide by the sick child policy which advises them that the childminder cannot care for their children when they are ill. To further promote this the childminder provides parents with a wealth of information on infectious diseases, which informs them of the signs and symptoms and incubation periods of many of the contagious childhood illnesses. This ensures that they can act appropriately when their children are ill. The childminder has a range of rigorous and highly effective routines which further protect children. For example, children are provided with individual cots and bedding which are regularly cleaned and bedding laundered. Great care is taken when changing nappies, gloves are worn and then disposed of after use, and the childminder then washes her hands. Changing mats are cleaned down between use, to

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

minimise the spread of bacteria and nappies are suitably disposed of in double bags.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning the importance of effective hygiene as they learn to wash their hands where

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

necessary, for example, after toileting and before meals. Simple child friendly posters are displayed in the toilet and kitchen areas re-enforcing the importance of consistently washing their hands. Children are generally keen to wash their hands as the childminder makes it fun saying, 'let’s see how many bubbles we can make to get rid of those germs'. When children are resistant the childminder reminds them of the importance of washing all those germs away and explains, germs give them tummy aches.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are extremely well nourished as the childminder is knowledgeable about nutrition. She ensures that meals and snacks offer variety to children and that they include a range of fresh and dried fruit, and fresh vegetables. She is pro-active in working with parents to provide food that is suitable for children’s individual needs and in line with their wishes. Extreme care is taken in supporting those children that have allergies to foods, so that children only eat food that is safe and suitable for their needs. The childminder ensures that parents are fully aware of their child’s food intake at the end of the day as she records this in their daily diary. This enables parents to ensure that their child has a healthy and balanced diet. Fussy eaters are well catered for as the childminder ensures that there is something on the menu that they like. She understands that if children are involved in the making of food they are more likely to sample

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

and try, so involves children in the cooking activities. The childminder shows good knowledge of why children become food phobic so ensures that younger children are allowed to touch and feel their food and discusses the importance of this stage with parents. Posters displayed around the room are used effectively to stimulate discussions about healthy eating.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gives exceptional care in planning the day and balancing the activities that the children take part in. For example, she understands that children have had a demanding morning at school or nursery and need time to have free play and relax. Younger children who sleep are able to follow their own sleep patterns and to ensure this the childminder plans and provides an early lunch. Sleeping children are physically checked regularly and a monitor alerts the childminder when they are awake. If the childminder is concerned about a child's health she ensures they sleep down stairs so she can monitor any significant changes to their condition.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily outings which are fun. For example, they visit the bakery and bring back bread and make their own sandwiches. They enjoy regular trips to the local parks where they have opportunities to climb and balance. Children have access to the childminder's garden where they have access to an extensive range of equipment. For example, children have access to a climbing frame, slide, trampoline and an excellent range of wheeled toys for all abilities. This ensures that children are able to build up their stamina and build healthy bones and muscles.

p.3

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 Babies have lots of opportunities to learn to walk and pull themselves up on the low, very stable furniture.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Excellent systems are in place for the recording of accidents, existing injuries and incidents, and records are well maintained. The childminder takes rigorous steps to ensure the safe administration of medication. She ensures that another childminder monitors and checks the instruction from parents. They then check information on the medication itself and ensures the appropriate dose is given to children. Clear and transparent records are kept about the process and these are shared with parents to ensure that they are well informed.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are safe and secure in premises which are extremely welcoming and facilitate their care learning and enjoyment. The ground floor has been organised into two dedicated playrooms set up with an excellent range of attractive child height storage units ensuring that children can make independent choices safely. The play provision is extensive and covers all areas of learning. It includes a range of natural and man made materials. A system has been organised which ensures that all toys are checked routinely to ensure that they are safe and suitable for their purpose. A dedicated area is provided for children to rest and sleep, and each child's cot has been screened off so that they rest peacefully. The childminder displays children's work and a range of other colourful child posters make it an interesting and vibrant place to be.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently explore their environment and are kept safe as the childminder ensures that children cannot access hazardous areas such as the stairs. The childminder is committed to ensuring children's safety and has attended training on risk assessments and is extremely vigilant both indoors and on outings. She has done thorough risk assessments of all area of her home and all hazards have been addressed. For example, all cleaning materials, sharp knives and medication are kept out of reach of children. The childminder has risk assessed her garden and identified two of the plants are poisonous to children so routinely prunes them back and talks to the children about the dangers of plants and berries.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

At the time of inspection she was observed to take children on an outing with her co-childminders to the local toddler group. They effectively work in partnership to ensure children's safety as they agree who will be caring for individual children. Toddlers are strapped into well maintained buggies with five point harnesses. Older children know the routine and understand that they must wear wrist straps and walk together with the childminder. Before the children leave the premises the childminder talks to them about the dangers of the road and reminds them how they can keep themselves safe. On arrival at the toddler group it is obvious that the childminder is aware of the hazards. She checks that the door is secure, she is able to pre-empt children's behaviour. For example, she describes how children will make straight for the alter steps as they are curious about the bright cloth and want to explore. She

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

shows excellent supervision at this time and throughout the session giving children freedom to explore whilst she remains close by and vigilant so children are safe.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children regularly practise the fire evacuation, therefore, become familiar with it, this ensures that children can quickly be evacuated in an emergency. A visit from the fire officer is used as a good opportunity to re-enforce children's understanding of the dangers of fire. The domestic heating is regularly serviced and all fires are guarded, smoke detectors are checked weekly. A carbon monoxide alarm is in place, therefore, the childminder is alerted of any such danger.

p.4

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 childminder has invited the fire service into her home and acted upon their advice. The children listened readily to the fire officer who re-enforced the dangers of fire.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected as the childminder ensures that all adults living or working from her premises are suitable to be near children. The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and systems in place are robust. She and her co-childminders regularly attend training to ensure that they have up-to-date knowledge and do not become complacent. They have recently reviewed the policies and procedures to ensure they comply with the latest changes in legislation in line with local safeguarding committee guidance. The child protection policy forms part of the contract with parents so that they fully understand the childminder's legal responsibility to protect and safe guard all the children in her care.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in this vibrant setting because they are nurtured and extremely well cared for, as a result they feel relaxed and at home in this very friendly setting. The childminder is aware of the importance of routines so wherever possible ensures that these are maintained. This means that children feel secure because they know what is happening to them. Close and caring relationships significantly increase children's confidence and self-esteem as they build close relationships with the childminder who interacts extremely well with all children. Children show a keenness to communicate their needs as the childminder listens intently, recognising the children's attempts at their language and making sense of their requests. They particularly enjoy snuggling up with a book and become engrossed in familiar stories and enjoy familiar rhymes and action songs.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans an extensive range of outings which include regular group activities where children are learning to socialise with others in their local community. Children enjoy and learn through the childminder's consistent commitment to working closely with them. She takes a keen interest in the things that capture their interest, for example, transport and the natural world, and plans an excellent range of experiences around these and other topics. The childminder has many years experience, a genuine interest and in-depth knowledge in child development, therefore, is helping children achieve their milestones. She and her co-childminders work together extremely well to provide a broad and balanced curriculum to support children's overall development and learning. She is confident and knows the value of free and uninterrupted play; as a result has the confidence to allow this to happen which means that

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children are able to develop their own ideas and become competent learners. For example, they concentrate well as they carefully construct with an excellent range of wooden toys, such things as large train tracks, choosing the pieces they need and finding their favourite trains to go on the track. They decide where to build bridges and decide to make a straight track. They discover they need an end to stop the trains from falling off and find one from the resources so are beginning to understand they can resolve problems for themselves.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play extremely well together, for example, one child constructs a building with three sides and another child suggests that they get some animals to put into the pen. They then develop this further and make a slide to allow the animals to slide down. Children are praised for their efforts and so have a sense of pride in what they are doing. The childminder makes excellent observations of children and knows when they are ready for new challenges. For example, a child’s interest is captured as the childminder talks enthusiastically about a new tricky puzzle she has bought. The child is curious and is keen to try it. The childminder offers

p.5

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 just the right amount of support to allow the child to be sufficiently challenged without giving up on the project and so the child begins to understand how it is constructed and has a great sense of achievement in the finished puzzle, consequently, they are motivated and want to do it again, therefore, their learning is consolidated.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children behave extremely well because the childminder and her co-childminders consistently give time and excellent attention to meeting the children's diverse needs, therefore, children are well occupied and stimulated and their care needs are supremely well met. The childminder talks gently to children and is a good role model, therefore, children are mirroring this and are polite and helpful. She reminds children to be kind to each other and to take turns and share. She has excellent skills in managing a wide range of behaviours and works extremely closely with parents to change the patterns of behaviour which cause concern. She is knowledgeable about a range of techniques and applies them effectively taking into account the child's age and stage of development. For example, she is particularly good and tracking and pre-empting when a situation will arise out of frustration so is able to respond effectively, preventing

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

tantrums. Children are given lots of positive praise and sticker charts are used for such things as potty training so children are keen to please.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to access a wide range of play provision equipment and toys to suit their individual developmental needs. They are able to take part in activities of their choosing and play is non stereotypical or sexist. Children access displays and resources that show positive images of different cultures and abilities. They celebrate a range of different festivals as well as their own and this gives them an opportunity to talk and explore the difference in people and their values. This positive experience means that children are able to develop a balanced view about the wider world and value diversity. The childminder has a positive attitude to inclusion, therefore, the setting is able to provide for children who have learning disabilities and/or disabilities.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents is outstanding and contributes significantly to children's development. Children are secure because they get consistency of care. This starts from the very beginning when parents are encouraged to visit and settle their children in. This very effective procedure ensures that information can be exchanged and relationships established between the parent, child, childminder and co-childminders. They talk about the child's individual care needs, for example, they ask about dietary and cultural needs as well as the child's favourite comforter and how they best settle to sleep in order that they can give effective care to individual children. Secure contractual agreements are set up which ensures that a professional relationship is established and all consents are requested, for example, permissions to take the children out, and to ensure that children are able to access emergency medical care in the absence of their

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

parent. A range of clear and well thought out policies are in place; these describe to the parents the excellent procedures that underpin the childminder's highly effective practice. Parents are provided with a well organised notice board which tells them about such things as menus, contagious diseases, taboo subjects such as head lice and how to deal with them. A regular newsletter informs them of outings, children's play activities and changes to the setting. Parents trust the childminder and have confidence in her abilities, therefore, if professional bodies are involved they include and value the childminder's input. Clear records are shared with parents so they are very well informed about their child's development. They are provided with a portfolio of the children's work and a good range of photographs which is an excellent record to keep of their child's early years journey. Children are able to share these with their parents

p.6

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 reflect back on their time with the childminder and upon their achievements and the friendships they make. Parents report that they highly value the childminder's commitment in providing excellent care for their children. They state that children make excellent progress. They value the support they get in dealing with issues such as behaviour and special diets, and recognise the hard work she and her co-childminders put into ensuring their children progress and develop.

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is significantly enhanced as the childminder shares their care with two other childminders who have been fully vetted and registered with Ofsted. The childminder and her co-childminder's work extremely well together, they ensure that ratios are well maintained at all times. They have worked together for a considerable length of time, therefore, routines and responsibilities are well established which makes the care they provide for children effective and seamless. Children flourish because they are offered consistency and continuity of care and have a range of adults who take a genuine interest and involve themselves in their care and play. There is an excellent balance of mature, young, trained and experienced childminders working together each bringing positive experiences to the care and education of children. They each have clear roles and responsibilities, therefore, are extremely well deployed. This

p.7

Organisation

ensures that the children's day is well organised but flexible in order to meet their needs. For example, the childminders decide who will do the school and nursery run to ensure children get to and from school and nursery on time. Children are able to rest and eat when they need to as well as being able to attend toddler groups regularly and have daily outings.

p.7

Organisation

The childminder herself takes the lead in training and development, therefore, has taken part in an extensive range of courses, she also has the role of childminder co-ordinator so is up-to-date with new initiatives and changes to government policies and procedures. She has links with a range of other professional partnerships so is able to quickly get support if needed. She has a level 3 qualification in child care and education and is currently studying for an Early Years degree. She shares this knowledge with the other childminders some of whom find it difficult to attend courses for personal reasons. They are motivated by her enthusiasm and are open to new ideas of working and improving the overall quality of their service. Together they constantly evaluate and improve the care and education they give to children to ensure that children enjoy an extensive range of experiences which contribute to their development. They

p.7

Organisation

share a vision which is to improve the lives of children and provide excellence in child care.

p.7

Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a very professional approach and is highly organised in her approach to childminding. Good quality records are kept and all documents sampled are accurately recorded. These are shared with parents and kept in a confidential manner which ensures children's privacy is maintained. The childminder provides parents with detailed information about the service her and her co-childminders offer. They also share and agree an in-depth range of well written policies and procedures in order that parents can understand what underpins her exemplary practice. These are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they reflect the service on offer and are in line with current changes to legislation in order to ensure that children's health and wellbeing are safeguarded. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

p.7

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

p.7

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to seek written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment. She now has secured this information, therefore, is better able to provide appropriate care for children in an emergency.

p.8

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.8

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.8

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.8

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.8

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.8

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.8

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.8