Burraway, Jayne Lesley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 219367 Inspection date 03 November 2005 Inspector Carol Mansell

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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 was registered in 1986. She lives with her adult son in Kempston, Bedford in Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 years, part-time. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups. The family have 2 cats.

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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 are well nourished as they receive a variety of home cooked meals and the childminder is aware of their likes and dislikes. Children are learning about healthy eating and are offered fresh fruit regularly. Children readily state that ‘I like apples’ and prefer this healthy option to chocolate. Children have their dietary and health needs met as the childminder liaises with the parents and provides meals in line with their wishes. Children understand simple health and hygiene practices and regularly wash their hands before eating meals. They are in the early stages of toilet training and recognise hand washing as part of the routine. Children have their individual needs met as they rest and sleep according to their needs. Children are learning about healthy living as they energetically join in with physical activities in the secure and safe outdoor environment. They get regular exercise as

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Helping children to be healthy

they walk to local facilities, such as the market, and Kids World. They are beginning to understand that the walking helps to keep them fit and healthy as this is reinforced by the childminder. Children are protected from illness as the childminder has rigorous procedures in place to ensure unwell children are cared for appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure and welcoming environment as the childminder has the appropriate policies and procedures in place which includes risk assessments for outings and activities. The childminder has put safety precautions in place in her house and garden, such as locks and catches to make hazardous items inaccessible to the children. Children have access to safe and suitable resources and equipment which the childminder checks on a regular basis to ensure they are clean and do not pose a danger to the children. The childminder is aware the children are quite young and still tend to put toys in their mouths for comfort. Children have access to a range of resources which are made available by the childminder. They can choose from a wide range of resources that are stored in a toy cupboard and the childminder supports them by moving the resources into the main

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

room. Children enjoy making visits to the local facilities and community. They recognise the need to stay close to the childminder and are learning to keep themselves safe from accidental injury when away from the house. Children are generally protected from possible neglect or abuse as the childminder has a fair understanding of child protection issues. She is not aware of the local area child protection procedures. The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation plan. However, this has not been practised with the children. Children’s welfare may be compromised due to these gaps in the childminder’s safety procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are developing their confidence and self-esteem. They show an interest in what they do and are developing positive relationships with the childminder, her family and each other. Children are developing their speech and this is encouraged by the childminder who asks open-ended questions and reinforces words spoken by the children. Children are acquiring new knowledge and skills. They indulge in imaginative play and enjoy dressing up and pretend shopping. They interact well with the childminder who supports their games and joins in if needed. Children enjoy pretend shopping and explain that they are going to buy ‘bananas and apples’. They ‘cook’ their dinner and when asked what they are doing state that they are ‘eating spaghetti’. Children enjoy social interaction and regularly attend local toddler groups and visit nearby shops. They enthusiastically use the equipment in the park and enjoy having

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the freedom to run around safely. Children respond to challenges and have opportunities for individual attention when they have one-to-one sessions with the childminder. This helps to ensure the children have their individual needs met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have opportunities to make choices and take decisions when accessing the toys and resources in the toy cupboard. They work happily together and are developing a sense of belonging. Children are learning how to behave well and know what is expected of them by the childminder. Children have access to a limited range of resources which reflect difference and diversity. They mix well with adults and children from different backgrounds when attending local groups. The childminder encourages a positive outlook, answering any questions at an appropriate level and by setting a good example for the children. Children are cared for by the childminder who works with the parents to meet individual children’s needs. The childminder provides regular feedback for parents and this helps them to understand what their children are trying to say about their day. The childminder has built strong relationships with the parents and this helps the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children to feel secure and settled. Positive comments were written by parents who state that they are ‘happy with the level of care and all that the childminder does with their children’.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are welcomed into the childminder’s home and are happy and contented in the child friendly environment. The childminder implements her policies and procedures which work in practice to promote the children’s health, safety and

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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 enjoyment. She has a high regard for the children’s well-being and offers one-to-one support particularly with their care, learning and play. The space, resources and flexible routine helps to encourage and support the children’s independence and overall development. The childminder has the documentation required for childminding purposes and ensures all information is kept safe and secure, maintaining confidentiality at all times. She regularly reviews the information from parents and constantly reassesses the children's development to ensure they are receiving adequate challenges and support. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder had recommendations made at her last inspection. She agreed to ensure all medication given to the children is fully recorded and countersigned by the parents. She agreed to review her current method of storing information to ensure all records are maintained appropriately. She also agreed to review the organisation and storage of toys to allow children to be able to see and self select toys. The childminder has improved her provision by recording all medications appropriately, including asking parents to sign the record. She has reviewed her storage facilities for all her documentation and has a folder provided by her insurance company which helps identify the documents quickly and keeps them safe. She ensures these are not available for visitors to the house and therefore maintains the confidentiality. The childminder has also rearranged the resources and made these more accessible to the children thereby encouraging their independence.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The improvements made by the childminder ensure the children's well-being is safeguarded and that confidentiality is maintained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • increase knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and ensure the emergency evacuation procedures are practised with the children • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, particularly those which reflect disabilities.

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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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