Bowler Sandra Carol

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 254704 Inspection date 12 December 2005 Inspector Ros Church

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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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and three sons in the Clifton area of Nottingham. Minded children have access to the ground floor, with toilet and sleep facilities provided within this area. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has two cats. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently cares for two children under five part-time, and two children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to and from local schools, visits the local park and library.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association. She meets with other local childminders for support.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health and well-being are promoted as they are looked after in a clean and comfortable environment. Children develop healthy practices and follow good hygiene routines. For example, washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. The childminder has a clear understanding of effective hygiene routines and ensures the risk of spreading infection is minimised. For example, children have their own face cloth and hand towel, and the childminder has a clear policy regarding caring for sick children, and shares this with parents. Children are beginning to learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and diet. They regularly enjoy nutritious meals and snacks which include fruit and vegetables as part of their daily diet, with drinks of water as they require. Children's individual dietary needs are met as the childminder takes into account their preferences and respects

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Helping children to be healthy

parental wishes regarding meals and individual requirements. Children benefit from a routine which incorporates lots of physical exercise and fresh air. They have regular opportunities for outdoor play in the garden where they have use of climbing equipment, slide, swings, wheeled toys and ball games. Children take part in other activities such as local walks, which includes walking to and from school, and outings to parks within the area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel secure in the well maintained environment where the childminder identifies and minimises the majority of risks, although hazardous cleaning materials within the kitchen are not always safely stored. Children are always in the sight or hearing of the childminder, this means they are able to move around safely and independently which increases their confidence. Children learn to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe through the childminder's clear explanations, and taking part in activities. For example, fire evacuation drills, and learning about road safety when walking to and from school. Children are protected, and their welfare safeguarded, because the childminder has a suitable understanding of the child protection procedures and knows what to do in the event of concerns. Children use a suitable range of toys and play materials, which are in a clean and safe condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's work is valued and displayed within the kitchen, this helps them to have a sense of belonging within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and confident within the childminder's care. They explore their environment and are beginning to make some choices from familiar toys they enjoy. However, the organisation and storage of some resources prevents children from fully benefiting from the available range. Children enjoy various activities which meet their overall developmental needs, they join in with craft activities, games and baking. They acquire new knowledge and skills, such as they learn about mixing colours when icing the biscuits, and when doing puzzles and looking at books they learn about the world around them, such as the names of different animals and their young. Good relationships exist between the children and the childminder, this creates a warm and friendly atmosphere. Children talk freely about their experiences

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

during play, and are confident to make requests regarding their needs when they require.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder takes account of information supplied by the parents and the detail recorded on child information forms. All relevant information is exchanged daily, through talking to parents and giving them their child's art work to take home. Parents receive generally good information about the childminder's service through clearly written policies. Children behave generally well, this is supported through praise, positive reinforcement and appropriate sensitive strategies, this helps to develop their self-esteem and confidence. Children develop their knowledge and understanding of the local community through visits to the park, library and toddler groups. They learn about some aspects of the wider world through conversations with the childminder and books available. However, there are limited play materials easily accessible which support children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

independent learning about society, or to foster a positive attitude towards similarities and differences. The childminder recognises the importance of careful liaison with parents to establish the care requirements for any child with identified special needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and at ease in the childminder's home which is organised to meet individual needs. Suitable space is available for children to play and rest. Children's safety and well-being are maintained, most records required for the safe and efficient running of the setting are in place. However, the attendance register is not always kept up to date. The childminder shows commitment to developing her existing practice and has attended various childcare courses, for example the 'Birth to three matters' course. However, she does not have a current first aid certificate, therefore she is not aware of current practice. Overall the childminder meets the needs of children who attend.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, children's safety has improved as the childminder has fitted a safety gate to prevent access to the first floor, she has also organised electrical equipment within the kitchen to ensure trailing wires are not accessible to children. She has booked onto a course for child protection which will increase her knowledge within this area. To ensure children are cared for according to parents' wishes when administering medication, she now obtains their prior written consent.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there has been one complaint made to Ofsted about several aspects of the child care provided relating to National Standard 7: Health, the arrangements for nappy changing, and National Standard 8: Food and drink, feeding. Ofsted investigated the complaint and found the childminder continues to meet the national standards. The childminder remains qualified for registration. 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 satisfactory. 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): • complete and maintain a current first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure the register of children's attendance is kept up to date • ensure hazardous cleaning materials are inaccessible to children • review the storage of some toys and equipment to increase children's independence and enable them to freely make choices from the available range. Including extending resources which help children to learn about similarities and differences within society.

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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 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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