Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY288346 Inspection date 23 November 2005 Inspector Beverly Anne Self

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged eighteen, nine and four years. They live in a detached house in Midsomer Norton. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under the age of 5. These children attend on a part time basis. The childminder attends the carer and local toddler group on a regular basis and takes children to the local park.

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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 family keep fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children learn about personal hygiene through daily routine for example, washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder explains to them why they are doing this, and the children clearly understand the routine and tell you "we've played with mucky toys so we wash our hands". The children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They help themselves to drinking water throughout the day, which is provided in their own individual cups. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s choices. They are provided with nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. The children sit together and enjoy mealtimes as a social occasion. They communicate, watching and learning from each other, whilst developing their social skills and independence. The childminder has records of accidents and administered medicines in place,

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Helping children to be healthy

although not all necessary consent forms have been signed. The childminder shares these records with parents, ensuring consistency with regard to the children's health care. The children are encouraged to be healthy through physical activities and exercise. Each day the children play outdoors, visit the soft play centre, go for a walk or take part in music and movement with the childminder. These activities help contribute to the children's growth, by developing muscle skills and co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children have plenty of space to play in a well maintained and welcoming environment. There are different areas organised for sleep, rest and play allowing the children to access a wide variety of activities and play opportunities in safe surroundings. The children use a wide range of toys and equipment, that are safe and of good quality. These support enjoyable activities. They stimulate and challenge the children, in ways appropriate to their ages and individual needs. The toys are stored in the playroom and children can easily access these, to make their own decisions about play. The childminder assesses potential risks to the children and puts procedures and practices in place to minimise these. She has appropriate safety equipment including

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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 socket covers, safety gates, smoke alarms and a fire blanket. These devices ensure children's safety at all times. The children are well protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection. She is currently undertaking a distance learning training course related to child protection, organised by the NSPCC. In this way she ensures that her practice is supported by a good and up-to-date knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse. She knows the appropriate procedures to follow in the event of concern, making children's welfare a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are confident and happy during the time they spend at the childminder's. There is a of good, warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children. The childminder has a good understanding of younger children and their development and she knows the children very well. A wide range of play opportunities and activities are available to the children, helping them to develop new skills and enjoy themselves. The children's small muscle movements are developed with the use of puzzles and threading cards. They look to the childminder for help if they get stuck. She encourages them to try and experience things for themselves, giving lots of reassurance and praise. The children respond well to her encouragement and try to thread the lace through the card to follow the outline of the picture, developing their confidence and sense of achievement. The children are very sociable and are confident to ask questions, asking "what's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

your name?" and "why are you here?". They tell you what they like to play with and show you where things are, demonstrating good social and communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy exploring a wide range of activities which contribute to creativity, such as dancing, listening and moving to music, playing instruments, art, craft and role play. One of the children enjoys playing shops, telling you "my shop is called Tescos, what are you going to buy?", showing that she has a good imagination and is able to re-create familiar scenarios.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are becoming confident in what they can do. Through close support and a strong relationship with the childminder they are learning to feed themselves and develop independence in toilet training. They are settled in the daily routine and enjoy being with the childminder and each other. They show a good sense of belonging, actively taking part in activities as a group. The children show kindness

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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 and affection for each other, for example the older children find toys for the baby to play with. The childminder goes to a great deal of effort to ensure that the individual needs of all children in her care are met. She organises activities that are appropriate to each child's age and stage of development, to help them learn new skills. The children are well behaved and respond well to the childminder's direction and correction. The childminder makes herself a good role model for the children, encouraging good behaviour and praising the children's efforts. This helps the children to learn about right and wrong, and what is expected of them, feeling secure in the boundaries that are set. The records regarding the children's care are in place and made available to parents,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

although a complaints record is not in place at this time. The childminder builds a partnership with parents and uses a daily diary to exchange relevant information, this ensures that children's individual needs are consistently met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are happy and feel at home in the well organised environment. This means they are confident enough to initiate their own play and learning. The childminder is committed towards her own personal development within her provision. She attends relevant training courses and workshops to further improve her practice and knowledge of childcare. The records and documentation are in place, clearly written and used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. The childminder has also developed a portfolio which includes policies, certificates, references and general information about her provision. This shows parents that the children are being provided with a stimulating routine in a safe setting. Adult/child ratios are well maintained at all times, allowing the children to receive good adult support and attention so they can feel valued and secure.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminders provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she cares.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they

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Complaints 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 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): • obtain written consent from parents for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice • maintain a record of complaints made by parents

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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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