Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 219770 Inspection date 26 October 2005 Inspector Ann Elizabeth Shelley

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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, her husband, and three children, aged 16, 13 and 6 all attending local schools. The family lives in a house which has been extended on the ground floor to provide a play room. The house is situated near the centre of Dunstable. Minded children mainly remain in the play room except when accessing the toilet. The lounge is occasionally used for quiet play. There is a rear garden which has been made safe for children by fencing off both the pond and greenhouse. The childminder has the use of a people carrier when needed.

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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 Most local amenities are within easy walking distance. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has two cats as household pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm home. They are well nourished and are offered healthy meals using fresh ingredients, promoting their growth and development, in line with any allergies and special diets which have been discussed and recorded by parents. Children's well-being is ensured because the childminder has updated her first aid training since the last inspection and she records medication administration and accidents appropriately. Children are able to explain why hygiene practices are in place enabling them to remain healthy. Older children participate in a range of physical activities, contributing to the promotion of their good health. They use opportunities such as walking to school and using a large climbing frame in the garden on a daily basis. The childminder provides appropriate support so that children's confidence is promoted and they feel able to join in with activities provided. Younger children are less able to make full use of the

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Helping children to be healthy

physical play resources due to the size of the room in which they play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is promoted as the childminder has an effective awareness of risks and has taken steps to minimise these. However, children's safety is compromised as the smoke alarm has been disconnected on the ground floor. The childminder is vigilant when older children are playing with toys with small pieces by ensuring that these are not accessible to babies and younger children. Older children are able to independently choose activities from a range of toys and play equipment. The childminder oversees this choice, ensuring that all resources are safe and appropriate for the children's ages and stages of development. Younger children’s activities are selected by the childminder. Children's welfare is promoted all times. The childminder has all of the required documents in place. She holds a current first aid certificate and has a good understanding of the child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures and takes the opportunity to explain to children how to stay safe.

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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. Older children are settled and able to independently choose activities and resources. They relate to the childminder, responding when spoken to and she knows their likes and dislikes. Children related well to each other taking turns to use the equipment available. Children are offered a range of activities that cover all areas of their development. These include imaginative play, basic crafts and outdoor physical activities. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because she knows them well and offers activities in line with their personal interests. Older children are encouraged to do as much for themselves during craft activities, whilst younger children are given some support from the childminder. The childminder is not currently using ‘Birth to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

three matters’ to enhance and develop the younger children's activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated as individuals and they are encouraged to work co-operatively and share responsibilities. The childminder is aware of their individual needs and is able to meet these. She ensures that a daily routine allows time for the children to play, rest and interact with each other. The children's behaviour is generally good and they are learning about playing together, sharing and taking turns. The children are set consistent boundaries so that they know what is expected of them. The childminder has an understanding of behaviour management and uses appropriate methods. Children are encouraged to discuss society and the wider of world. The childminder provides some positive images and playing resources which encourage this, helping them with their understanding of differences. Children's individual needs are met and they are settled because of the manner in which the childminder works with the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents, keeping them fully informed about their children's time with her. She is making appropriate use of contracts and children's information sheets.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the individual needs of those children present are being met. Children are generally relaxed because the childminder organises their time to ensure that their needs can be met. They are confident within the childminder's home and can generally initiate their own play. The childminder ensures that she has all the necessary personal information about the minded children. The children's welfare is promoted as the childminder ensures that she has all the relevant paperwork in place. However, the daily attendance register is not currently viewed or signed by parents and a complaints record is not in place. This could lead to misunderstandings between parents and the childminder and jeopardise their current relationship, which could, in turn, have an unsettling effect on the children.

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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 Children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has taken a refresher first aid course. She also ensures that all people living in the household over the age of 16 have been vetted. Overall, children's needs are met. Children are generally relaxed because the childminder organises the time so than and needs can be met. They are confident within the childminder's home and can generally initiate their own play. The individual needs of the children are met by the childminder and she ensures that she has all the necessary information about the minded children. The children's welfare is promoted as the childminder ensures that she has all the relevant paperwork in place. However, the daily attendance register is not viewed or signed by parents, and complaints log is not in place. This could lead to misunderstandings between parents

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Organisation

and the childminder and jeopardise these relationships, which could have an unsettling effect on the children. The childminder has taken a refresher first aid course, and ensures all people living in the household over the age of 16 have completed their checks.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved children’s safety. She has undertaken a refresher first aid course and obtained secure information about child protection. Contracts and children's information sheets are now completed, up to date and detailed adequately.

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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. Concerns were raised relating to Standard 12: Working in partnership with Parents. An unannounced visit was conducted on 13 October 2004. A recommendation was raised in relation to Standard 12. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the smoke alarm on the ground floor is in working order when minded children are on the premises • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure that a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request is maintained.

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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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