Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY217234 Inspection date 27 June 2005 Inspector Jonathon Christopher White

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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 has been registered since March 2002. She lives with her husband and adult son. They live in a semi detached house in Whitemoor in Cornwall, close to local shops and schools. The whole of the home is used for childminding. An upstairs bedroom is used for children who stay overnight. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have three working dogs as pets. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time, she is currently minding four children all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder drives and walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 Restormel childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are becoming familiar with taking care of their own personal hygiene. They learn the importance of washing their hand after visiting the toilet and before meals. Older children can use the toilet and wash their hands independently support is provided by the childminder if children need it. Appropriate documentation is used to maintain the good health of children. The children are cared for in a warm clean, safe home. Appropriate arrangements have been made for keeping animals safe in the home. For example dogs have separate areas to sleep and exercise. Effective procedures are followed for the safe administration and recording of any prescribed medication or accidents. However the medical and accident information records need to be separate documents, to maintain a good level confidentiality. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate covering infants and young children. Good hygiene

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Helping children to be healthy

procedures and disposal arrangements are provided for younger children who use nappies. Sun protection and hats are provided for children by parents for hot weather days. Through the childminder's guidance children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Parents wishes are taken into account, appropriate dietary information is included in the children's detailed information sheets. Children are able to eat and socialise together during snack and meal times. For example children have access to appropriate child size furniture depending on the age, and development of individual children. Foods provided or supplied by parents provide a balanced and healthy diet. Children are able to access a varied selection of drinks throughout the day. For example fresh fruit juices, milk or water. The childminder ensures children finish their first course before having their pudding. Children are well

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Helping children to be healthy

mannered and asked to leave the table after finishing their meals. Younger children are nappy changed and fed in accordance with their individual needs. Children benefit from regular outdoor activities in the garden and visits to the local area. For example active gardening projects at home and trips to the local park and beach. Children make good use of the garden equipment. for example to grow and plant a variety of flowers and vegetables. The children use the beach trips to use their bucket and spades to build sand castles and collect shells. The childminder cares for children two children for overnight stays. Effective procedures are in place to ensure ratios are maintained, and children are within easy sight and hearing of the childminder during the night.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to appropriate safe, secure play space inside and outside 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 home. Areas used by children are well ventilated, plenty of natural light and comfortable. for example they can move around the home in safety, freely and independently. Children are closely supervised when playing outside on the swing, slide or other play equipment. They make good use of the resources, toys and equipment, which can be accessed easily. The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety in the home. She makes children aware of potential dangers or hazards through the daily planned activities trips or routines. for example children are reminded to tidy up the floor area after each activity to prevent accidents. tripping or falling over. Children have access to a good selection of safe accessible resources. They have sufficient choice which allow them to develop their own ideas and experiences. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder ensures that the range of resources and equipment is checked, monitored and well maintained. The childminder takes care that younger do not have access to toys and equipment they could cause them harm. Toys and resources available are suitable for children's ages and stages of development. The childminder keeps appropriate documentation for protecting children. information and contact details for child support agencies and Ofsted are available. She has a good awareness of her responsibilities surrounding any child protection concerns. She is confident in her ability to protect children from harm. The childminder has a secure knowledge where to obtain support or advice should this be required.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. All children are provided and able to access freely a broad range of interesting, and enjoyable activities. They are happy and settled and actively involved in activities and projects throughout the morning. for example one child eager to show how words are formed, learnt and repeated on the electronic computer. Children are motivated by the childminder and have access to a stimulating and challenging selection of games and activities. Children are able to respond to challenges set by the childminder or themselves. Children show excellent levels of independence, interest and imagination. Children enjoy the outside life, they use the play equipment safely and negotiate with others effectively. They use the garden area to grow flowers and vegetables. Children have their own small plastic wheelbarrow and tools to use when digging and planting in the garden. The childminder ensures children play safely

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

when handling soil and garden tools. She ensures they understand what to do by negotiation and discussion. Children are able to play together talk to one another and communicate well. They involve themselves in role play of various topics. For example children like to finish a role play activity making sure shopping is added correctly and placed appropriately in the shopping basket. Children ask questions and receive suitable supportive answers from the childminder. She challenges them through further questioning suggesting they trying out new experiences they may not have thought of. Children take great delight in talking about their beach activities, collecting shells, making things with their buckets and spades. Children are capable to organise their own small games,

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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 for example starting a magnetic fishing game. Younger children are fully included in all activities provided. The childminder provides activities and play opportunities to develop and maintain children's emotional, physical and social capabilities. Birth to three matters framework is being used for younger children to encourage word formation and communication.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good selection of resources and books that provide children with diversity and interest of the wider world. Children learn right from wrong and show good respect for other children and adults. Children are able to learn about their local community and visit place of interest such as the local playgroup, park and beach. The childminder has an interest in special needs children. She provides resources of a larger variety that would be suitable for children to handle if they had difficulty with picking up smaller items, or if they had problems with mobility. Children are able to select a wide selection of books reflecting positive images and disabilities. All children are respected and valued as individuals. Children behave well and help to tidy aware toys when asked to do so. They socialise and behave well together when taking meals, show good manners and ask to leave the table when they have

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Helping children make a positive contribution

finished. Children care for each other they can play together. Children are able to help themselves to drinks with confidence. Older children are able to visit the toilet independently or ask the childminder for help if needed. Children respond well to the childminder's clear guidance and praise. The childminder has made professional relationships with parents. She ensures her policies are clear and up to date and fully shared with children's parents. She discusses children's needs thoroughly with parents and keeps up to date in changes of routines or children's collection arrangements.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. The home is well organised in a safe secure environment. The childminder ensures children are not left unsupervised by any persons that have not been vetted. Space available to children enable them to select and choose activities freely and safely. Ratios are maintained by the childminder both during the day and for children who may stay overnight. The childminder has completed a selection of training courses related to the care of young children. The childminder openly shares records with parents and all their contributions are shared and valued. Written and verbal information is shared with parents on a daily basis, about children progress and development. Children's arrival and departure times are appropriately recorded each day. All relevant documentation is kept, organised and secure by the childminder. Overall the provision effectively meets the

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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 needs of all children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to make her home secure so children cannot leave unsupervised or unwanted visitors gain entry. To store children's records appropriately. Access to the property has been made secure ensuring children are safe, and unwanted persons cannot enter the home. Records are now kept secure and only available to persons needing access to children's records. The childminder was also asked to increase her resources available to children, reflecting diversity, disability and gender. Resources have now been increased by the childminder giving children access to resources and books that reflect diversity, and the wider world.

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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 the medication and accident books are separate documents

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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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