Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 219836 Inspection date 15 November 2005 Inspector Paula Jane Hayhow

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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 2000. She lives with her husband, child and foster child. The children are aged eight and five respectively. The family live in a property in the village of Lower Stondon close to Hitchin. The ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The schools and shops are within walking distance. There are two parks close to the family home.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years, one of whom attends full time. She also cares for one child over five years before and after school. This is on a part time basis. She can care for children during the school holiday. The childminder does not provide overnight care. The childminder can attend the local toddler group. The family has a cat, two guinea pigs, two rabbits and fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable and clean home. They are well nourished and their health is promoted due to the childminder's good understanding of healthy eating. They are offered nutritious meals and all dietary requirements are discussed fully with parents and an accurate record of these is kept. Children's health is promoted by the childminder's detailed paperwork which documents most of the necessary policies, consents and permissions. However, the children's health could potentially be compromised as the permission from parents to use antiseptic wipes has not been sought. Children participate in a wide range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for outdoor activities, such as walks to school or the local park, or playing in the well-equipped garden. Indoor activities such as drawing, painting and using cooking implements

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Helping children to be healthy

promotes children's finer motor skills. These physical activities, including impromptu dancing and singing sessions, encourage children to develop coordination and spatial awareness as well as enjoying fresh air and exercise. The children are beginning to understand their own physical needs, for example, they know when they are hungry or why they need to wash their hands before snacks and after caring for the animals. The children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She provides appropriate activities and supports the children well so that they have confidence to try out new skills and experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe environment and are therefore able to move around independently and freely. The childminder has organised her home to provide the children with their own play areas which are checked daily for any hazards. The childminder is aware of risks, both in and out of the house, and has taken thorough steps to minimise these, for example, she ensures that the climbing frame cannot be accessed by younger children through fixing chalk boards in strategic places and she makes sure children cannot leave the front garden by the

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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 fitting of four locking devices to the gate. She has also actively taught the children about fire evacuation and carries out fire drills. However, the entrance door cannot be accessed by the children, but being unlocked could be accessed from an outsiders and this could potentially jeopardise the children's safety. Children are able to independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder sensitively supervises the children’s choice of toys and activities, ensuring that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of learning. The children's welfare is promoted through the childminder having all the required procedures and documents in place, for example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has an effective understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled, confidently choosing activities and moving around the home independently. They relate well to the childminder and to each other and have opportunities to socialise with other children through school and organised coffee mornings. The children's independence is well developed as they make choices about toys, books and play resources. They enjoy a wide range of activities that cover all areas of development and encourage them to explore and learn about their environment. These include creative work, construction, imaginative play and outdoor visits to the library and shops. The children have their own homemade alphabet and number books and are learning about these, relating them to every day objects such as counting rhymes and colour recognition. The childminder is able to use her knowledge of child development to adapt activities so that they are appropriate and promote children’s learning, ensuring that all

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children spend their time purposefully. The children are given clear reasons and explanations, increasing their understanding of their environment and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures that she is aware of the children's individual needs and meets these, for example, they have a flexible daily routine which allows time for them to play, rest, pick up children from school and enjoy the local parks and woods. Parents are kept very well informed about how their children are progressing and developing. The childminder works with the children to make scrap books, containing examples of their work and has a running computer programme with all the children's photographs showing their activities. The parents are given comprehensive information at the beginning of the placement relating to the childminder's procedures and practices such food menus, child protection, health and safety, fire evacuation, activity sheets and school pick up times.

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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 The children show care for each other and the childminder, playing together and learning about sharing and turn-taking. Their behaviour is generally good and they are confident within the childminder's home, contentedly making choices about their play. This is further reinforced by the childminder's understanding of the importance of setting consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children. The childminder appreciates the importance of providing a range of activities and resources to promote positive images of our society and increase children’s understanding of this. The children are learning about their local community on routine outings to local fields, woods, forest centre and shops.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the provision meets all the needs of the children who attend. The childminder organises all aspects of her work very well, helping the children to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home. They are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning. The individual needs of all children are met by the childminder through her thorough procedures to ensure that she has all relevant information in place. She regularly discusses and reviews this information with parents. However, the attendance record does not document the actual times the children attend and this could possibly cause misunderstandings between the parent and the childminder thus jeopardising their relationship. The childminder plans to further improve her practice by always informing Ofsted of any changes that occur in her home or family. The children's emotional and physical development is well promoted through the

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Organisation

childminder's attention to detail in planning and organisation of her daily work. She ensures that children are offered a wide range of stimulating activities and opportunities and that all are able to participate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked at the previous inspection to record and inform parents of any incidents and to gain an understanding of child protection, with particular regard to an allegation made against the childminder. The childminder has devised a medication, accident and incidents book for any concerns she may have. She gains the written signature and date from the parent to verify they have seen the entry. The childminder is aware of the need to inform Ofsted of any allegations and has thought through what she would do. She has a confidential incident book where she will record her concerns and would always check out any of these with the appropriate authority. She has the relevant paperwork in place which explains what action she should take in any situation. These measures further improve the safety of the children.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted 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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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 there are written permissions in place for the use of antiseptic cleansing wipes • make sure that the premises are secure and that visitors cannot gain entrance unobserved • make sure that Ofsted is informed of any significant changes such as family members moving out and children moving in • ensure that the attendance record is kept accurate and up to date with the precise arrival and departure times recorded.

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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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