Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY219750 Unique Reference Number 31 August 2005 Inspection date Dawn Biggers 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 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 2002. She lives with her husband and son age 9 in the Bedminster area of Bristol. Most areas of the property 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding four children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The family has a budgie.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of a local childminders support group.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about good hygiene practices through well-planned daily routines. Effective procedures such as good nappy changing procedures and use of individual flannels for children sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. The risk of this is also minimised through the childminder's clear policy and procedures, which include exclusion of children who are unwell. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She manages accidents and the administration of medication well and shares the records with parents. However if a child has a more serious accident they may not always be protected as the childminder has not requested consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Children are cared for in a warm home where they begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care, being supported from a young age. They develop their self help skills, for

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Helping children to be healthy

example, whilst using the toilet and when washing their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They are offered drinks throughout the day and regular snacks, such as fruit and toast. Children start to develop awareness of their own fluid intake and this is monitored by the childminder. She provides light meals and a menu sample of the balance and range of healthy foods provided. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s likes and dislikes to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to them and meet their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. Physical play opportunities are available daily, walks, trips to the park, soft play centre improve their physical skills and provides plenty of fresh air. Babies develop their large motor skills freely crawling and being supported while standing and attempting to walk. All are able to rest and be active according to their needs, for example, babies sleep and quieter activities include stories, television and creativity. Children enjoy resting on the sofa, while playing. The childminder's satisfactory understanding about appropriate types of activities gives younger children the confidence to explore their bodies movements. They begin to listen and move rhythmically singing nursery rhymes and songs from a tape.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe as they move around freely in a sufficiently spacious, maintained home where risks are identified and minimised. These include fitted stair gates, fireguard and smoke detector checks. The childminder encourages children's awareness of fire and home safety, she has begun to practice her devised written procedures and supports children tidying away items from the floor before accessing more. Young children are checked regularly while resting and closely supervised while crawling. The childminder gives high priority to maintaining children's safety outside the home. Children begin to learn about road safety through discussion, for example, they learn the green cross code, hold hands and take turns to press the traffic lights. Good equipment is used for the younger children, such as, a buggy, wrist straps and identity

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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 bands for outings. However the childminder has not obtained permission from all the parents for outings and therefore children's safety is not always protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a good range of safe and interesting toys and equipment, within the playroom. These are all suitable for the age and developmental stages of the children and checked regularly. The childminder has nearly all of the required documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has recorded existing injuries and has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and her role and responsibility. She displays these and shares her policy with parents and therefore they understand how children in her care are safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle and are happy in the childminder's house. They make satisfactory progress and enjoy exploring the range of stimulating free play activities. Children develop their concentration skills, independence and have choices. They begin to relate to each other appropriately and develop their social skills. They enjoy playing by themselves, as well as beginning to join in with the other children. Babies enjoy the childminders interactions and cuddles and this increases their well being. They explore, crawling and show interest in the range of sensory manufactured resources. Within the secure relationship with the childminder, children receive sufficient attention and support.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children begin to use their language skills, to communicate what they want. They ask some questions while playing and for help, for example, when trying to put the dress on the doll. The childminder is interested in their experiences and asks about their holidays and visit to pantomime. Therefore children develop their confidence to talk about these events. Children enjoy imaginative play with the dolls. They begin to learn about sound and rhythm, during a group activity, singing songs with the musical instruments. Children become familiar with colour, shape and animals, looking at the posters on the wall with the childminder. For example, they count the rabbits and talk about the dinosaurs. They begin to develop their hand and eye co-ordination, with the stencils and pens. They develop confidence and self worth, as they are praised for their achievements, for instance after drawing a cat. Babies are introduced to some

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sensory experiences, such as painting with their hands and feet. Children make satisfactory progress because the childminder has a sufficient understanding of their skills and abilities. However she does not yet use her observations of what they know to enable her to support them in their next stage of development. Therefore their play and learning is not fully extended.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, enabling the children to learn positively about differences. For example, she uses stories and her visual resources from holidays about different countries and cultures. Children learn positively about differences, as the childminder talks about the doll with glasses and relates this to other familiar adults. Children enjoy playing with the happy kid dolls and

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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 figures with disabilities. They enjoy dressing up, for example, as an Indian and using the role play hats. They begin to learn about the local community as they visit the bakery, post office and go on routine outings to the park, city farm and toddler group. They learn about the living world and to care for pets, for example helping to feed the bird. Children begin to learn about their self identity, as the childminder encourages babies to look at themselves in the mirror. They show pleasure and interest in their own images. To date the childminder has not minded a child with special needs, but if asked would discuss their individual requirements with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides consistent boundaries. She uses praise and encouragement well to reinforce good behaviour. Children begin to share and take turns and are generally co-operative. They are encouraged to participate in tidying away, being supported. This is acknowledged and develops their self esteem and confidence, for example, child praised when putting motor vehicles away.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are secure because of the good relationships with parents. There are clear agreements and a daily sharing of information, which includes a diary for younger children with important information about the their day. The childminder works closely with parents following and discussing routines in meeting the children's individual needs and this contributes to children's well being.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease as the childminder organises her time sufficiently to give them individual attention. She liaises with parents and implements routines that support the care of them and allows flexibility in meeting their individual needs. The layout of the play areas enable children to play more freely, accessing toys from the good range available. Therefore children are secure and mostly content.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used well and most of the documentation consents are in place to promote children's welfare, care and learning. These are shared with parents from the beginning and information is displayed to keep them informed about the service and their child's activities. The childminder attends relevant training courses, using the knowledge gained to appropriately support the children's learning and development. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved her organisation and general practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has provided more low level shelving in the play room and therefore children are able to access the play equipment resources more easily. She has further developed knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities within her practice and purchased appropriate resources reflecting positive images. Therefore promoting a more positive view and extending children's awareness of diversity.

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Improvements 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 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): • further develop your use of observations of what children know to enable you to support their next stage of development. • request written permission from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.

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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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