Childminder in Bedford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY239848 Inspection date 13 May 2005 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 February 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and three years. They live in the Brickhill area of Bedford. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there are two first floor bedrooms available for babies and young children to have undisturbed rest. Children have access to the fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part time basis and three

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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 children over five before and after school on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminder's group. The family has one dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health, welfare and overall development are very well promoted and they are cared for in a warm, clean home. They are offered nutritious snacks and have access to drinks whenever they are needed, the childminder being particularly vigilant during warmer weather and when children have been exercising. The dietary needs of all children are met because the childminder discusses individual requirements with parents and keeps an accurate record of these. Children participate in a varied and stimulating range of physical activities, which all contribute to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are regular opportunities for outdoor activities, such as visits to the local park, walking in the woods and playing in the garden with ride-on toys, tents and basketball hoops, helping children to develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills. The children understand their own physical needs, for example, they know when they

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Helping children to be healthy

need a rest and why it is important to drink more in hot weather. Younger children are able to participate in the activities offered because the childminder uses her knowledge of child development to adapt the activities to a suitable level. She also supports the children well, promoting their confidence to try out new skills and experiences.

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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 welcoming and safe environment. The childminder thinks about risks, both in and out of the house, and takes steps to minimise these. The children use safe resources and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are stimulating and appropriate for the age and developmental stages of the children. For example, she has provided two basketball nets of varying heights so that all children can play safely. However, children's safety could be compromised as the fire blanket is not fitted in the kitchen. Children understand about keeping safe whilst they are out. The childminder uses hand signals to call children back to her when they are at the park, regularly reminding children of these to ensure that all are aware. Children are able to independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. They are sensitively supervised as the childminder ensures that their choice of toys

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and activities are safe and appropriate, allowing them the freedom to explore, make decisions and learn about their environment. The children's welfare is promoted and the childminder has all the required documents in place. She keeps registers and

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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 records up to date and holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well settled due to the childminder's high standards of care and her meticulous attention to all details relating to their individual needs. They are motivated and interested, confident in their choice of activities and movement around the home. The childminder demonstrates her very genuine enjoyment of being with the children and they relate well to her and to each other. They are given numerous exciting and varied opportunities and encouragement to develop their imagination due to the childminder's particular skill and confidence in encouraging them to expand their own ideas and activities. They develop a strong sense of self as they thrive in an environment where it is safe to express feelings and try new experiences. The children enjoy an extensive range of indoor and outdoor activities that cover all areas of development and encourage them to explore and learn about their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

environment. These include a variety of crafts, sand play, sports and games, use of local parks and walks in the woods. Children are able to make regular use of the rear garden and are offered many exciting play opportunities in this area. The childminder has created a child-centred play area, with facilities to play on both paved and grassed surfaces and numerous outdoor toys and equipment. The childminder is able to use her knowledge and experience to adapt activities so that they are appropriate and promote children’s learning, ensuring that all children spend their time happily and purposefully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are equally welcomed and feel at home because the childminder values and respects their individuality and is aware of all individual needs. Their behaviour is very good and the childminder helps them to understand about sharing, turn taking and the practical importance of understanding and respecting each other. Children are set consistent boundaries, which helps them in learning about negotiating with others and taking responsibility for their own behaviour. The children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and our society through activities, discussions and outings to local facilities such as parks and the childminder's support group. Because the childminder has high expectations of the children, truly believing that they can participate positively in anything they choose, the children feel valued, and in turn feel that they can make a positive contribution to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

anything they participate in. The children’s overall well-being and development are significantly promoted as a result of the childminder's excellent partnership with parents. All children are able to fully participate in all aspects of the daily routine and opportunities because the childminder actively and continuously assesses and monitors all needs. She always discusses issues and concerns with parents, actively seeking their views and

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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 ensuring that they are fully informed about how their children are progressing. This contributes to the children's good heath, safety, development and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the needs of the children are being met. They are able to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home because the childminder organises all aspects of her work very well. Children are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning, assured that the childminder will always be available to support them when needed. The individual needs of all children are met by the childminder through her thorough procedures to ensure that she has all relevant information and the regular discussion and review of this with parents. For example, at the introductory meeting with parents, she is meticulous and rigorous in ensuring that she has all necessary information from parents and that they are clearly informed about her practice and daily procedures. The children's emotional and physical development are very well promoted through the childminder's attention to detail in planning and organising her

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Organisation

daily work, ensuring that children are offered a full range of stimulating activities and opportunities and that all are able to participate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations raised at the childminder's last inspection.

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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 that the fire blanket is available and fitted in the kitchen

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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 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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