Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY294678 Inspection date 19 October 2005 Inspector Janet Maria Moutter

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and three school aged sons in a house in Abbey Meads, a district of Swindon, in Wiltshire. 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. Weather permitting the childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the library and the park. The family have a dog and a cat.

p.2

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 registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Promotion of good health for children is important to the childminder, as they are well cared for in a warm, clean home. The children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene and personal care, for example, through regular and routine hand washing procedures before meals and after messy activities, the babies and young children use wet wipes. The childminder protects the children from the spread of infection as much as possible by her clear sickness policy that she shares with parents at contract time. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through supplemented meals where the children are encouraged to try new and different foods. Children have an age appropriate awareness of healthy foods enjoyed by the children. For example, the older children were able to play and give reasons why some meals are good and bad. The children were presented with a healthy selection of finger foods

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

for lunch and snacks and regular drinks are available. The childminder works with parents to support healthy eating, and to meet any special dietary requirements. Children enjoy a wide range of activities to encourage their physical development. There are regular visits to the park and playgrounds to develop their physical skills and extend existing skills. The childminder has a good awareness of the children's different ages and capabilities and is able to provide appropriate play opportunities to stretch them each day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe in this environment as they move around freely in a well maintained home where risks have been identified and minimised. The entire house is registered, downstairs kitchen, dining/conservatory, children's playroom, lounge and hall with access to WC. Upstairs is used for sleep. There is an enclosed garden with a grassed area for play. When walking or playing outside children learn to protect themselves, for example through learning about road safety and not talking to strangers. The children can independently access activities from a good range of safe and interesting toys and equipment. For example large garden toys are stored in the garage with access easily available. The house toys are checked and stored in clear stackable boxes with clear labels. A wide range of suitable toys are available for the age and stage of the children using them. For example, craft materials, train track,

p.3

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 Older children use the kitchen under supervision where dangerous items such as knives are out of reach. There is good provision of smoke detectors on both levels of the house. Outside the house, for example in the garden, the children are protected by the childminders close supervision at all times. The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example she has a good understanding of child protection and knows the Area Child Protection Committee procedures which are shared with the parents. Children’s welfare is safeguarded further by the childminder undertaking relevant training herself. She keeps her first aid skills up to date however; her fire evacuation escape plan has not been practised.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle well, have fun and enjoy being at the childminder’s house. They relate extremely well to each other and socialise with other minded children. They have a structure to their day that includes regular opportunities for walks, outings to local resources and social contacts at toddler groups. Children remain interested with activities as the childminder actively participates in games, resulting in children wanting to learn and to try new things. The children enjoy exploring a good range of activities which contributes to their creativity such as painting, drawing, and play dough. The childminder promotes language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. She listens and responds to their diverse range and emerging vocal

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

communication skills. The children develop independently as they choose their own activities from a good range of resources. The childminder uses the Birth to Three Matters Framework as a guide to adapt activities such as singing, story telling and mark making to promote younger children's learning. All children spend their time purposefully such as learning from each other such as how the stickle bricks fix together. By ensuring the very young do not play with small pieces, the childminder encourages the very young to safely enjoy their individual role and identity within a group. Children’s progress is recorded in their daily diary and shared each day with their parents. Overall, children make good progress in all areas of learning. This is recorded in photographs and records of activities which are attractively presented and shared with parents.

p.4

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 Children learn to behave well through the positive behaviour management of the childminder as they begin to understand the need to share toys appropriately. Children are valued and respected as individuals which builds on their self esteem and enables them to learn right from wrong in a comfortable environment. All children receive equal care and individual attention. Children are aware of basic house rules and they are made aware that good behaviour receives praise. The childminder values the children as individuals they may use all resources provided suited to their stage or development including those, such as dolls and dressing-up clothes that reflect the diversity of modern life. At present there are no children with special needs at this provision. However, the childminder is part of a local scheme that gives specialised care to families when

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

needed. She is committed to and wants to build on to her knowledge and understanding of family welfare in areas where it can benefit children and enhance her childcare practise. Parents have clear information about the setting and their children’s progress through, for example the introduction of Birth to Three Framework. All children thrive in the care of this childminder and have their needs attended to. The childminder works very closely with parents to find out about their children’s specific requirements before they start with her, so that, for example routine for babies and younger children are followed. Subsequently, parents receive regular information of what their children do and achieve during their time with her. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children cared for by this childminder benefit from her knowledge and skills, which she uses very well. She does her utmost to find out about the needs of children in her care so that she looks after them appropriately. Children enjoy playing in a child-centred environment in which toys and materials are readily to hand. They receive much individual attention because the childminder is well organised and balances the various demands made on her time effectively. All required documentation is in place and kept securely, confidentially and readily available for inspection. These contribute to the safe care of the children, as does the very close relationship with parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

p.5

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 There are no complaints to report. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • extend fire-safety precautions by implementing an emergency evacuation.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6