Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY283608 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2008 Inspection date Carole Argles 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 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged four and eleven, in Bradford-On-Avon, Wiltshire. The minded children have access to all areas of the house. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a cat and a rabbit. The childminder lives within walking distance of the local school.

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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 aged under five years, all of whom attend part-time. At present, the childminder does not provide care for any children who have learning difficulties or disabilities, or who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a relevant childcare qualification.

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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. There are effective procedures in place to support the children’s health and to encourage them to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The childminder has a good understanding of ways to minimise the risk of infection spreading between them and provides individual bedding and nappy changing equipment for each child. The childminder is careful that her pets do not pose a risk to the children’s health and makes sure that their feeding bowls are kept out of reach. Children are not cared for if they are ill or infectious and information about common childhood illnesses is readily available if needed. Appropriate support is available if children sustain an accident or become ill. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and maintains the required records and consents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children’s nutritional needs are met. The childminder provides snacks and wholesome cooked meals for some children whilst parents provide lunches for others. The children are offered a choice of fruit for their snack and have drinks readily available to take whenever they are thirsty. The children have frequent opportunities for exercise and often walk to nearby schools or parks. The childminder’s large garden is used for physical play during the drier months of the year. The children use a range of age-apparatus to support their physical development including wheeled toys and climbing equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children begin to learn how to care for their own health. They are taught the importance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Through a range of activities the childminder helps them understand what makes a balanced diet. They take part in cooking activities, making a variety of recipes including pizzas and jacket potatoes, and they discuss how they can make a healthy picnic during their imaginative play. The childminder talks with them about the importance of cleaning their teeth and some children have toothbrushes that they use whilst in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are settled and comfortable in the well-maintained, spacious premises. The childminder uses the space effectively so that young children can rest undisturbed in first floor bedrooms and children can engage in a variety of creative and other activities. There is a wide range of toys and resources which support all areas of the development and provide interest and challenge for children of all age groups. The childminder checks items daily to ensure that they are safe and suitable for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children’s safety is promoted effectively because the childminder carries out frequent risk assessments and implements appropriate measures to reduce the likelihood of accidental injury. For example, she uses safety equipment such as cupboard locks, socket covers and stairgates to prevent children gaining access to potentially hazardous areas. She frequently goes upstairs to check that sleeping babies are safe. Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms, which are tested weekly, are in place. However, the fire blanket is not suitably sited. The children begin to find out how to keep themselves safe. They talk with the childminder about road safety and why they should not speak with people they do not know. They have regular opportunities to practise the fire drill to help them understand what to do in an emergency.

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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 The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children issues and this contributes well to protecting them from harm. She knows the signs that may indicate that a child is being abused or neglected and the action to take if she has concerns about the welfare of a child in her care. There are robust arrangements to ensure that children are only collected by authorised people and they are never alone with anyone who has not been vetted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and have a warm and relaxed relationship with the childminder. There is plenty of interaction and conversation between them. The children use their imaginations well, talking about what they are doing in pretend play. The childminder takes opportunities to ask them questions as they play, encouraging them to think. This helps them to develop good communication skills. The children’s achievements are recognised and praised and they show good self-esteem and confidence. There is a wide range of toys, activities and books. The childminder sets out boxes of resources for the children to use and these are changed frequently so that they do not become bored. The children can ask for alternatives but they are not able to select items independently from where they are stored.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a programme of outings to local amenities, such as toddler groups where children can socialise with their peers, and visits to the library to listen to stories or borrow books. Interesting activities are provided in her home and these support the children’s learning and development well. These include many creative activities using resources such as clay and paints and the children had been using collage materials to make Mother's Day cards. The children make good progress because the childminder provides challenges matched to their ability. For example, they talk about letter shapes and sounds as they complete an alphabet puzzle together, and learn how to make their model more stable by interlocking the construction pieces. The children are well occupied at all times and enjoy what they do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are comfortable and secure because there is a good two-way exchange of information between the childminder and their parents. There is an effective process to help new children settle quickly which ensures they are familiar with the childminder and their surroundings. Parents are asked to give detailed information so that the childminder is fully aware of any special requirements or routines to ensure there is continuity in their care and their needs are met. She monitors the children’s development and keeps parents well informed about their progress. She is interested in the children as individuals and supportive of their backgrounds, for example, by helping them learn some Spanish vocabulary. The children begin to find out about diversity through stories and books and by talking with the childminder. This helps them begin to develop an accepting attitude to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children’s behaviour is good and they respond well to the positive strategies used by the childminder. She encourages them to think about the effects of their behaviour on others and to share fairly and take turns. The children are praised and rewarded with stickers when they have done well and this not only promotes their self-esteem but also helps them learn to manage their own behaviour. Copies of all the childminder’s policies and procedures, including how she manages children’s behaviour, are readily available to parents so that they understand how she will be caring for their child and why.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder frequently undertakes training and has a positive attitude towards the further development of the childminding service she provides. The children benefit from her good organisational skills. All the records, policies and procedures required to support their welfare and safety are in place and shared with parents. The childminder requests appropriate written consents from parents so that she can be sure she is meeting their wishes for their child. She ensures that she keeps to the correct adult to child ratios and gives the children her attention and support. Her home is used effectively to meet their needs, although the storage of toys and resources reduces children's ability to select items independently.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to devise a complaints procedure and make it available to parents. This recommendation has been carried out and parents have received suitable information. This has enhanced the partnership between childminder and parents of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder 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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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 that the fire blanket is sited appropriately • consider providing further opportunities for children to select toys and activities independently

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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 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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