Setting 104599Ofsted inspection, 12 Sept 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 104599 Inspection date 12 September 2005 Inspector Janet Butlin

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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 lives in a four bed-roomed terraced house in the market town of Newton Abbot in Devon. She shares the house with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, and her four sons. One son is registered to act as an assistant. The childminder has been registered since 1991. Her husband registered to mind with his wife in 1995. The house is situated very close to the town centre and is in easy reach of schools, parks and other local amenities. Children have use of a living area and playroom and kitchen for eating and craft activities. First floor bedrooms are used for sleeping for children under five and after

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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 school play for over fives. There is also an enclosed yard area to the rear of the property for outside play. The childminders hold separate registration certificates. When working together, the maximum number of children under eight years must not exceed ten. They do not provide overnight care. When working alone, the childminder may care for four children under the age of eight. At present there are ten children enrolled within this age range. The childminders are members of the childminding network. There are no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children develop an extremely healthy lifestyle and are well protected from infection by the childminder's exemplary standards of hygiene. Nappy changing is conducted observing rigorously hygienic procedures and older children learn about using the bathroom in appropriate ways. For example, they use a new, clean, terry towel for each visit which is placed for washing immediately and a liquid hand-wash further supports this regime of scrupulous hygiene. The childminder follows an environmentally friendly system of re-usable terry towelling nappies and children benefit from well laundered and hygienic products at all times. Children are effectively protected from infection by the consistently applied, yet sensitively presented adherence to a policy that those who are sick or infectious should not attend. This protects other children from coming down with each other's ailments. Their continuity

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Helping children to be healthy

of care is well supported as all consents are in place to enable the childminder to respond to their individual needs and any medical emergencies. Very good attention is given to promoting healthy eating. Children enjoy a well balanced and very nutritious, thoughtfully prepared menu which rotates meals across a three week timetable. Children's individual dietary needs are respected and they widen their experience by experimenting with new foods and tastes. Babies are held sensitively while being bottle fed. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise daily. There are opportunities for them to use wheeled toys in the back yard and develop their muscles but as the yard is small the childminder makes extensive and frequent use of nearby parks for walks and exploration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well organised environment and have suitable places to sleep and rest when they are tired from their play. They play in a small back yard but enjoy having more space to run and play as the childminder makes good use of nearby parks and facilities on a very regular basis. They play with toys and games which are suitable for their ages and which are all in very good condition. They are able to access most of the toys easily and can indicate the toys they want, confident that

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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 they will be produced for them. Children's safety is protected by the very detailed risk assessments which the childminder undertakes, although not every hazard has been identified. A particular feature of the provision is that children learn how to swiftly evacuate the premises in a confident and well organised manner. This promotes their safety well. The premises are secure. Recording systems are good and the children's attendance is accurately logged. However, this does not extend to the logging of the persons caring for the children. This means that it is not a secure means of telling who is on the premises at any given time. Children's safety is further supported by the childminder's sound understanding of the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play happily together and are sensitively cared for. They show a warm and caring attitude towards the childminder who supports their play very well. For example, they work out how to join and connect construction toys and operate musical items. They particularly enjoy riding wheeled toys and co-operate well with their playmates as they develop follow-the-leader games and throw and catch balls. Very young children are supported in their early attempts at verbalising and communicating and the childminder extends this with the skilful use of books and toys. Activities in the home are augmented with trips and outings to parks and places of interest such as the zoo and the moors and also to toddler groups. Children's individual stages of development are known and understood and the childminder is developing her understanding of the Birth to Three Matters framework to plan more

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

purposefully for their individual progression.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs are known and respected and they develop a secure understanding of cultural diversity in meaningful contexts. Their individual cultures are valued and resources and games encourage them to develop their understanding further. The childminder enriches and underpins her practice by reference to a well written and appropriate policy. There are no children attending at present who have special needs but the childminder has experience in this area of provision and is confident in accessing support and information. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are thoughtful and considerate to one another and say please and thank-you at the appropriate moments. They share popular toys graciously and the childminder helps them to understand the reasons for rules , such as why not everyone can have the same toys at once, and taking shoes off in the house. Children's behaviour is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

developed through the use of helpful strategies such as diversion and the removal of contentious objects. The childminder is a calm and positive role-model. There is an excellent means of communicating with parents. This ensures that children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. A daily, written communication system provides parents with the means to discover exactly what their children have been

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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 doing and gives them a mechanism to respond. The childminder intends to develop this system further in the future, for example by the provision of a parents' evening to discuss progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. Children benefit from being cared for in a well organised childcare setting. They are cared for by suitable persons who have all been vetted and are experienced in childcare. They are cared for in groupings where they can enjoy the company of their siblings and the childminder organises her practice to promote this continuity of care, promptly informing Ofsted of any changes. Children's individual needs and details are known and all documentation is securely stored. Parents are able to view helpful literature about the provision and have completed all necessary consents to promote good quality care for their children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was required to provide a suitable fire-blanket. This is now in place which supports children's safety.

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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): • continue to conduct and implement risk assessments to protect children from hazards and record the attendance of carers

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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 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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