Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY234421 Inspection date 01 December 2005 Inspector Rosemary Davies

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 5 and 11 years, in a terraced, two-bedroom house in central Swindon, Wiltshire. Shops, a park, public gardens and toddler groups lie within walking distance. The childminder can walk to local playgroups and schools to take and collect the children. The minded children may use all the house, although, in practice, they use mainly the downstairs rooms. There is a small fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family has a large fish tank. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Her

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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 registration permits her to care for five children under the age of 8 years, at any one time. She currently minds five children aged 18 months, 2, 9,10 and 11 years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder uses effective procedures to maintain the children's good health and physical well-being. She keeps an extremely clean home, vacuuming regularly and cleaning the kitchen work surfaces and the bathrooms well. The young children have their nappies changed appropriately. The childminder uses disposable gloves and encourages the toddlers to use wipes on their hands. The older children learn good hygiene practices, washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating, but, sometimes, the younger ones do not do so before having a snack. The toddlers eat their food wearing clean bibs and the childminder washes fabric items, such as blankets and dressing-up clothes, regularly. The childminder takes further steps to help prevent the spread of infection through ensuring that the parents know when they must keep their children at home, such as if they contract infectious illnesses. If the children become ill whilst in her care, the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder treats them considerately, giving them much-needed cuddles. Appropriate procedures are in place should an emergency arise. The children eat healthily, enjoying a lot of fresh fruit daily, together with nutritious lunches and home-cooked hot dinners. The childminder knows the children's dietary needs through talking with their parents and understands their preferences. For example, she knows who likes cheese and who does not. The childminder encourages the children to take regular drinks, understanding the importance of fresh drinking water. The children benefit from daily walks in the locality and take exercise in nearby public gardens or when using equipment on regular visits to toddler groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children play in a welcoming and child-centred home, making good use of the secure environment. The dining room acts as the main play room for the youngest children, whilst the sitting room provides a quieter area for sleeping toddlers. The older children may relax here after a busy day at school. The children play with stimulating toys and resources, which the childminder maintains in good condition. The children may readily access toys and resources. Good organisation of these means that items suitable for toddlers are kept low down, whilst those for older children, which may contain small parts inappropriate for a younger age-range, occupy higher shelves. The childminder identifies potential risks to the children's safety well and does all she can to minimise them. The children cannot play in the kitchen when the cooker is in

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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 use because a safety gate prevents access; another gate stops the toddlers from going upstairs. The children cannot open some kitchen cupboards and drawers, owing to the use of clips. This means that sharp knives and cleaning materials are inaccessible. In all the downstairs rooms, socket covers prevent access to electric points. The young children eat whilst strapped securely in booster seats. The childminder keeps them within easy hearing distance if they take naps. She accompanies them if playing in the small rear garden. Here, the shed containing potentially dangerous tools, remains padlocked and the hose pipe is safely coiled up. All such sensible precautions mean that the children may play safely both indoors and in the back garden. Good preventative measures are taken against the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

possibility of fire. The childminder understands her responsibilities for child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children thoroughly enjoy their time with this childminder. They encounter an extremely wide range of experiences. Their imaginative and creative development is stimulated particularly well, with the childminder planning special daily activities. All age groups enjoy decorating Halloween biscuits or creating 'glittery ice-creams'. They delight in dressing-up play. In this type of activity, the childminder gives the younger children excellent support so that their 'pretend' play develops especially quickly. These younger children receive much effective individual attention. This aids their speech development in particular. The childminder talks about their play, describing their actions so that they hear new words frequently. She encourages their efforts at saying some of them. They extend their vocabularies further through hearing and trying to sing, nursery rhymes. The children often hear music, because the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder uses it as a means of encouraging them to both listen and dance: the latter causes much amusement! The children frequently take walks or have buggy rides, around their community, getting to know the local public gardens and toddler groups. Their all round needs are met, owing to the high standard of the care provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All the children, including those with special needs, may flourish in the care of this childminder. She works extremely closely with the parents to find out about their children's specific requirements before they start with her, so that, for example, the children with asthma are catered for appropriately. Afterwards, the childminder continues an effective liaison with the parents, so that they receive information of what their children do and achieve during their time with her. This household enjoys extremely warm relationships, with the children showing they feel settled and 'at home'. The childminder devotes her time to the children. The

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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 younger ones happily approach her for cuddles when they do not feel well. They develop their self-esteem through seeing their pictures displayed and hearing the childminder praise their efforts. They make good progress along the road in learning to share and take turns with toys, owing to the childminder's patient disposition and knowledge of child development. The childminder makes clear her expectations for the older children's behaviour so that they know, for example, that quiet activities take place in the sitting room. All the children receive equal care and attention. They may use all the resources provided suited to their stage of development. The children play with an excellent range of resources, which reflect the diversity of modern life. The range of books, which the children use and enjoy, is especially noteworthy. The childminder plans

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Helping children make a positive contribution

activities which respond to different festivals through the year, such as Christmas and the Chinese New Year.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children cared for by this experienced childminder benefit from her knowledge and skills, which she uses very well. Her understanding of how young children grow and develop helps her to care for them appropriately. The children enjoy playing in a very well organised environment with toys and resources readily to hand. The childminder manages her time well; as a result, she offers much one to one care. All required documentation is in place and efficiently organised. The certificate of registration is displayed prominently for the parents to see. Records and documents are kept securely, confidentially and readily available for inspection, although there is uncertainty about how long some records must be retained. The childminder meets the required adult to child ratios. She keeps abreast of new legislation and shows commitment to further improving her knowledge. She keeps

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Organisation

her skills up to date, for example, by taking training in 'Birth to three matters'. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection, the childminder was required to improve her partnership with the parents by clarifying the expectations of both parties. She has done this effectively through the introduction of parents' contracts, with the result that the children are likely to have their individual requirements met when in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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Complaints 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 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): • ensure all records are retained for the appropriate length of time

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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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