Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 219777 Inspection date 16 September 2005 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 1993. She lives with her 3 children aged 12 years, 10 years and 7 years in their house in Dunstable. The ground floor is used for childminding activities and there is a downstairs bathroom and toilet. There is a safely enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder will now be registered to provide care for 5 children under 8 years and is currently caring for 2 children under 5 years on a part-time basis and 3 school age children for out of school hours. The childminder has undertaken special needs training, and has a working knowledge of Makaton signing. She is a support childminder for the Dunstable area and a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 enjoy daily outdoor activities that contribute to their good health and learning. A young child announces 'I love my childminder's garden', valuing the opportunity to get outdoors as much as possible. The childminder provides ride on toys and involves the child in growing seeds such as asters and sunflowers, and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and pumpkins. Children visit the local park to play on the swings and slides as they walk to meet the older children from school in the afternoon. Children are cared for in a clean home where they begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder has a thorough approach to hygiene routines which plays an active part in preventing the spread of infection. She encourages children to blow their noses and use tissues appropriately. The childminder always uses disposable gloves for nappy changing and children are

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Helping children to be healthy

changed on their own personalised towels. A two-year-old is actively encouraged to wash his hands after having his nappy changed. This effectively begins the habit of washing hands after visiting the bathroom. Children stay healthy because the childminder controls infection by excluding children who become sick or unwell. Accidents are appropriately recorded and parents countersign the entry. Children receive appropriate emergency treatment because the childminder maintains a suitable first aid qualification. Children are well nourished because the childminder provides home cooked, healthy meals and uses the opportunity presented by mealtimes to talk about healthy eating. Children help themselves to drinking water at any time from the dispenser in the kitchen. Children are starting to learn about healthy living. For example, they know that eating fruit is good for you and choose their snacks from the family fruit bowl.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into a safe, secure home environment. The childminder uses her life experience to provide a caring environment for children. She thoughtfully prepares her home before the children arrive, for example, by ensuring that boxes of suitable toys are ready for the children. Children independently select activities from a broad range of easily accessible resources, which are in a good state of repair and are age-appropriate. Children are able to move around and play safely, freely and independently because the childminder has identified and minimised all risks. For example, she prepares meals before children arrive to reduce potential hazards in the kitchen area. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder has clear rules and sets age-appropriate, safe limits in order to maintain their safety inside and outside the home. For example, children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understand that they must pick up toys because they might trip people up and that they do not go upstairs. Children develop an awareness of personal safety. For

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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 example, a child says to a toy dinosaur 'be careful, don't fall down' as the child makes it walk along the windowsill. The dinosaur slips and the child says 'dinosaur has got his feet stuck now, oh dear, he wasn't careful!' The childminder safeguards children's welfare and has all the required documents in place. Children are safe with the childminder, who has a secure understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in this gentle and nurturing environment, full of natural laughter and cuddles. Children are very well supported and their needs are met. Children have free choice, guided by the childminder who makes additional suggestions. Each child is able to have individual attention whilst one is resting, at nursery or school. Children spend some time outside each day, either in the garden, the park, or whilst walking to school. Children make independent choices in their play and are able to choose from a wide variety of toys and equipment, which are stored within easy reach. They have free choice of activities and are able to ask if they wish to do something specific. The childminder is highly skilled at developing the children's knowledge and understanding through play. Children enjoy constant and purposeful interaction with the childminder who asks lots of open ended questions to make children think and to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stimulate their curiosity. For example, a young child shares a book with the childminder, identifying different animals such as a seahorse, a starfish and a whale. The childminder involves the child in a discussion about whether they have sharp teeth. A story about 'The very hungry caterpillar' is extended to include counting the fruit, learning about cocoons and discussions about how the caterpillar might be feeling after eating all that food. Children acquire new knowledge and skills through play with this childminder. She explains the differences between a monkey and a baboon, and between a hippopotamus and a rhinoceros. Children learn new words as she encourages them to mimic new vocabulary such as 'flamingo' and 'antelope'. Children make appropriate choices and their decisions are respected by the childminder. For example, a child is asked to choose the lunch menu and the childminder checks the acceptability of what she has provided. They both discuss

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

plans for the afternoon as the child chats away, clearly comfortable in the childminder's company. Children learn to use their initiative and develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder sets achievable challenges such as 'can you find your cup for me?' and praises the children when they succeed in the task set.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected as individuals, and treated with equal concern as the childminder has a good understanding of equality issues. Older children have

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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 opportunities to learn about themselves and develop a healthy respect for the needs of others. This is because the childminder happily supports discussion about such topics as 'diabetes' and 'inclusion' as they arise naturally during conversation with children after a day at school. She ensures that all children’s needs are met effectively and is able to sign in Makaton when required. Children with special needs are warmly welcomed and the childminder offers a respite care service. Younger children begin to learn about their local community through discussion as they go for a walk. The children reflect the diversity of the area in which they live and begin to explore the wider world through play resources which reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have an admirable awareness of what constitutes acceptable behaviour. The children's understanding of right and wrong is developed as they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, play resources and each other. Children show care and concern for each other and they behave very well in response to the childminder's clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour and consistent expectations. Children play together in harmony and receive lots of praise for their achievements. They know what is expected of them and are confident to ask for what they require. The childminder meets their needs through the daily routine as discussed with their parents. Children and their parents are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder offers a highly flexible service to meet their varying needs. The childminder ensures that daily discussion about the service provided keeps parents extremely well informed about their child's care needs and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

However, the childminder does not have a procedure for recording any complaints made by parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is highly confident in her childcare practice but has yet to develop her policies and procedures to underpin her business. She uses her substantial experience as a mother and childminder to promote positive outcomes for children. The childminder is able to enrich children's care, learning and play through her constant interaction and interest. Children receive individual attention at some time during the week and benefit from social interaction with children of varying ages and backgrounds because the childminder arranges her week accordingly. Children confidently choose activities and the childminder encourages them to extend their experiences in an imaginative way. Children's welfare and education is effectively supported through the childminder's clear use of informal routines which cover the national standards. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, five recommendations were raised. The childminder was asked to develop a daily diary to record all activities undertaken during the day, including fire drills. She used this system for babies under two-years-old and gave the diaries to the parents concerned when the children left, as a record of their time spent with the childminder. Having trialled this method of exchanging information with parents,

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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 the childminder found that she was duplicating information given verbally at the end of the day. She concluded that whilst there are benefits in circumstances where the children are not old enough to speak for themselves, she prefers to have personal discussions with parents. As the childminder has now given up smoking, there is no need for the addition of a smoking statement to contracts. The date and time of any accidents are now recorded on all accident reports and a ground floor smoke alarm is now in place to ensure children's safety. The childminder recognises the benefits of wearing gloves when dealing with body fluids and ensures that she has a supply to hand in order to prevent the spread of infection. The action taken as a result of these recommendations has contributed to the improvement in the quality of care provided.

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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): • develop your policies and procedures for parent information/clarification to include a complaints procedure and record.

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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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