Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 505245 Inspection date 21 February 2006 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and adults sons in the town of Flitwick. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five all day, four children over five before and after school and four children during school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has one dog.

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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 supports children with special educational needs. She is also part of the Support Childminder Scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and comfortable home environment. 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 snacks including fruit, organic oat cakes and fish with rice and peas. All dietary requirements are fully discussed with the parents and a very accurate record maintained. Children's health is promoted by the childminder's paperwork which documents most of the necessary policies and permissions. However, permission to seek emergency medical treatment is not in place for all children potentially jeopardising their treatment in an emergency situation. 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 the local park and play areas, using the well equipped

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Helping children to be healthy

garden and visits to 'Kid's World' which all encourages the children's coordination and spatial awareness. The children are also developing good control of their finer physical movements by using implements such as play dough cutters, scissors and child size knives and forks. The children are beginning to understand good health and hygiene procedures, for example they know to wash their hands after using the toilet stating 'Look no germs' on their return.

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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 very safe and secure environment in which they are able to move around independently and freely. The childminder is aware of the risks and carries out daily checks of the hazards, for example, electric sockets are covered, the floors are checked for small items and safety gates closed. Children are encouraged to learn the emergency evacuation procedure because it is regularly practised ensuring that they become familiar with it. They further learn to keep themselves safe through the childminder increasing their knowledge of road 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. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has all the required

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

policies and documents in place. She has attended child protection training giving her a firm knowledge of the procedures to follow.

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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 good. Children enjoy the stimulating and varied range of activities provided to encourage them to develop and progress. The childminder uses her training, sound knowledge and understanding of relevant guidance such as 'Birth to Three Matters' and the Foundation Stage curriculum to plan activities that promote the children's learning in all areas. For example a hand puppet is used to retell the story of 'The Old Women Who Swallowed the Fly' which encourages the children's imagination, turn taking skills and their use of language and rhyme. Children spend their time purposefully because the childminder plans the resources and activities to meet their individual needs and level of development. Older children use their skills to make play dough models such as 'aeroplanes' whilst the younger children are supported to use shape

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

cutters. Children are interested in their play, choosing from resources that are accessibly stored and clearly labelled. Children make positive relationships with the childminder and each other. A child who woke from their morning sleep was warmly greeted with a 'Hello' from the other children and a reassuring cuddle from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures that she is aware of each child's individual needs and meets them effectively. She has a good understanding of special needs and supports all children in having access to all age appropriate activities. Behaviour is good and is reinforced by the childminder's sound understanding of the importance of consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children. Older children wrote their own house rules which they remind each other of throughout the day such as 'no, we have to share'. Children's awareness and understanding of the wider world is encouraged because the childminder appreciates the importance of providing a range of activities and resources that promote positive images of our society. For example, visits to the local parent and toddler groups, playing with resources such as a doll size wheelchair and celebrating seasonal

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Helping children make a positive contribution

festivals. Children are starting to become aware of their own needs and the needs of others. When a child had difficulty climbing onto a chair, she was asked 'Is that better darling?' by another. The children's needs are well documented and their welfare promoted because of the childminder's good and effective relationship with parents. Parents are kept fully informed about their child's development through use of a daily diary and verbal feedback. New parents are given all the relevant details that they are likely to need enabling them to decide if the childminder meets their child's need.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her work effectively, helping the children feel comfortable, relaxed and secure. The individual needs of all children are met by the childminder through her procedures and policies, ensuring that all relevant information is in place. Children are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning, assured that the childminder is always available to support them when needed. 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 childminder regularly updates her child care knowledge to assist her in planning a safe, stimulating and caring environment for the children. She ensures that the children are offered a wide range of stimulating activities that all are able to participate in. Overall, the needs of all children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to increase the range of resources reflecting those with special needs. The range has been increased therefore positively reflecting the wider community and increasing the children's understanding of Equal opportunities. The childminder was asked to devise a complaints procedure. This she has completed therefore increasing communication with the parents leading to a more settled environment for the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been two complaints made to Ofsted. Concerns were raised about the number of children the provider was caring for and the safety of children on some of the outdoor activities supplied by the childminder. These concerns related to National Standards 2 and 6. Ofsted made an unannounced visit to the provider and as a result one action was set under Standard 2: to maintain a system for registering children's attendance on a daily basis. The provider remains qualified for registration. The action was checked at the next inspection. Ofsted received information that the childminder was not supervising children during visits to a local horse stables. The concerns were investigated under National Standard 6. Ofsted made unannounced visits to both the childminder and the stables. Upon investigation Ofsted were satisfied that they found no breach of the National Standards. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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Complaints 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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • obtain permission to seek emergency medical treatment for all children.

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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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