Childminder in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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136446 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2007 Inspection date Susan Esther Harvey 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 outstanding. 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Downend, Bristol. Most areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children under five and eight children before and after school, all part-time. The childminder mainly walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have two rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in clean premises. They are encouraged to practise very good hand washing and drying routines, which prevents the spread of infection. For example, children are provided with individual towels, which they identify as their own from coloured tapes. Posters displayed remind children to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Young

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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 children smile as they look at their faces in a hand mirror after eating lunch. The childminder helps them realise their face needs wiping and encourages them to do it for themselves. As a result, young children are learning good hygiene routines through practical experience. The childminder practises thorough hygiene routines herself. For example, by providing anti-bacterial spray to clean the table and by wearing protective gloves when attending to the personal care of young children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's sick children's policy is formally shared with parents in writing. She emphasises the importance of keeping children at home with infections such as sickness and diarrhoea, until they are fully recovered. As a result, other children and the childminder are not exposed to infection. Children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge of the correct administrative procedures to follow in the event of an accident or in the need of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an excellent awareness of a healthy lifestyle. Both nutritious snacks and meals are offered to them. A healthy menu is created in cooperation with parents and children. Children make it clear what their preferences are through writing out a list of likes and dislikes. As a result, the childminder accommodates their choices and provides a mixed range of meals for each child to enjoy. Children learn that fresh vegetables are grown in the garden, and take part in the growing of tomatoes to eat for their snack. Young children heartily eat fresh fruit and bread sticks for snack, and a well-balanced cooked meal at lunch time. Children have access to drinking water at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to fresh air and to a varied range of physical activities each day. For example, the childminder walks to the local school each day, young children are able to increase their muscle development by using a climbing frame and pedal cars, while visiting a soft play group. Children have access to the garden where they can run and play among wind chimes and colourful streamers. As a result, young children are developing a positive attitude towards physical play, daily fresh air and a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a stimulating environment which is welcoming and child friendly. For example, the rooms where children play have an attractive display of photographs showing them actively involved, playing with an extensive range of toys and resources. Children's art and craft work is displayed on the walls to celebrate their achievements. Young children freely select from toys which are clean and age appropriate. This includes treasure baskets with utensils such as a wooden spoon, sieve and saucepan lids which young children can handle and explore.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from good safety measures which the childminder actively promotes in the home and on outings. An example of this is a well documented visitors book and emergency evacuation record. The childminder ensures that contingency arrangements are in place in the event of an emergency with children or family members. This includes full contact details of parents and others carers who are able to cover in an emergency. The childminder is continually monitoring the children's safety using a written risk assessment to identify any hazards. Fire safety measures are in place. Children learn to keep themselves safe through regular evacuation procedures where they leave the premises safely and efficiently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully protected. The childminder has a good understanding of her personal responsibility to protect children from harm, and child protection issues. She has a sound understanding of appropriate recording and reporting procedures. The childminder's local

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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 authority safeguarding procedures are formally shared with parents. As a result, children's well-being is actively and effectively promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's care. They readily and confidently approach her for assistance with their choice of activities to which she quickly responds, so enabling children to build on their confidence and self-esteem. For example, the childminder has created a book with photographs of resources for young children to self-select the toys they wish to play with. They enthusiastically play with their chosen toy, a wooden train set, after receiving help from the childminder in setting it up. Children sing to themselves, and ask the childminder to join in with the game. The childminder attracts babies and young children's attention using exciting toys to assist with their concentration, by providing tactile materials from treasure baskets. Children listen carefully to stories read enthusiastically by the childminder, and look in wonder at the animal puppets used to support stories such as 'The selfish crocodile'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated to experiment with paint, and glue on paper, and with junk modelling. They are encouraged to explore the local environment through regular use of the garden which is decorated with ribbons and old compact disks which reflect the light. Children enjoy gardening by growing flowers and vegetables. They sing heartily to a music tape and play instruments, such as rattles and hand bells, to accompany the music. They know various nursery rhymes such as 'Miss Polly had a dolly' and can follow the actions to the rhyme. As a result, young children are making connections through their senses and becoming playfully engaged. Young children and babies who are unable to express themselves verbally, benefit from the childminder's ability to communicate through sign language.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a comprehensive range of activities and role play for children in her care. These are closely linked to the Birth to three matters framework and enable children to develop well in all aspects. Older children enjoy a good range of planned art and craft activities, cooking and role play. They have a good selection of dressing-up clothes which is available for all children to use regardless of gender.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have access to a interesting range of resources and activities which promote positive images of diversity in their daily lives. For example, children are able to gain an insight into the wider world as they participate in celebrating festivals such as Chinese New Year and Diwali, supported by Easter and Christmas celebrations. Children's individuality is respected as the childminder knows the children in her care well. This enables her to meet their needs fully. For example, children's interests are captured in photographs which show how well the children mix and enjoy each other's company. As a result, young children have a sense of belonging and a growing awareness of themselves. Children have regular opportunities to socialise with other children through childminder meetings and toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young children are beginning to learn how to share and play together. This is managed in a positive way by the childminder as she has clear and realistic boundaries for the children to follow. Young children gain from the childminder's praise for their achievements and their cooperation in resolving disagreements. As a result, young children are discovering boundaries and limits in a safe environment.

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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 Children benefit from a strong and highly positive relationship between the childminder and their parents. Parents are appreciative of the childminder's quality of care given to their children. They respond in writing 'thank you' notes and letters. Children's care needs and routines are fully respected by the childminder; as a result, continuity of care for children is maintained. Children with learning difficulties gain from the childminder's commitment to their individual care and attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with detailed written information about the childminder's policies and procedures. The childminder shares information verbally with parents, and formally through a written record of the day. Information to parents is supported by a wide range of photographs as a record of what children achieve while in the care of the childminder. Children share their day with parents by taking home items they have made such as art and craft work and cooking. A complaints procedure informs parents of the process the childminder will take if there is a complaint about the service she provides. As a result, parents are fully informed of the childminder's responsibility in caring for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for by an experienced childminder. She is committed to improving her professional development and knowledge in early years and attends many courses. This includes a sign language course for babies and young children, and an extensive course relating to the Birth to three matters framework which has been put into practice by the childminder. Children receive a high level of support through the childminder's ability to organise her time. Children's development is supported well by the childminder's sound understanding of appropriate documentation to enhance their learning and play. Children are happy and comfortable in a relaxed environment where they eagerly explore toys and resources available to them.

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Organisation

The childminder implements all policies and procedures in a consistent manner which fully and actively promotes children's welfare, care and learning. All the required documents are maintained to a high standard, and remain confidential, but available for inspection. As a result, children positively benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm to provide high quality care.

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Organisation

Therefore, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the incident record is signed by parents. The childminder has ensured that any incident which needed recording is signed by parents.

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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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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

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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 outstanding. 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

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

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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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