Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302512 Inspection date 02 November 2005 Inspector Brenda Joan Flewitt

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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 2005. He lives with his wife and their two sons aged 6 and 12 years in Musbury, a small village near Axminster, in Devon. His wife is also a registered childminder and they work together. Rooms used for childminding purposes include the lounge, kitchen and upstairs bathroom. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, and is currently supporting his wife in caring for 6 children under the age of 5 years and 2 school aged children, on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for

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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 the age of 8 years. The childminder is a member of the Devon Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's healthy lifestyle is promoted well. Children are cared for in a clean, tidy family home where children develop independence in managing their own personal hygiene. They learn to wash their hands when using the toilet or after messy activities, through discussion and example provided by the childminder. However, they do not always have clean hands before eating. The childminder's procedures protect children from the spread of infection. For example, he makes sure parents are informed that children must not attend if they are ill, and has a 'no shoes' policy within the home to ensure that children play in a hygienic environment. There is a well stocked first aid box which is easily accessible, and the childminder has attended suitable training to ensure children's accidents are attended to appropriately. Children have constant access to drinks throughout the day. The childminder makes

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Helping children to be healthy

sure that children's individual cups are within their reach, and encourages them to drink at snack times, meal times and in between. Children make choices from food they bring from home, which is supplemented with healthy snacks such as fruit and home made bread, in agreement with parents. Children respond well to a semi-structured routine that includes a good balance of physical activity and quiet times, with opportunities to rest as individual needs require. They enjoy fresh air each day during outside play, where they ride on vehicles and play ball games. Trips to the park offer opportunities for the children to develop gross motor skills in climbing, swinging and sliding.

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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 safe and secure, well maintained property where hazards and risks are identified and minimised. The good security system helps protect children from un-invited visitors and ensures that they cannot leave unsupervised. The childminder carries out on-going risk assessments and puts measures in place to help prevent accidents. These include safety gates to prevent access to the stairs, and safe storage of hazardous substances. Children confidently move from room to room in safety, while choosing their activities. They use a range of suitable equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development which contributes towards their safety during their play, when they travel and when they sleep. Children are kept safe on outings through the childminder's clear procedures which include choosing suitable venues, risk assessing equipment, and taking first aid

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

resources. Children learn about crossing the road safely through discussion 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 example provided by the childminder. Some children are involved in the emergency evacuation procedure, but as this is only practised annually, others are not familiar with what is expected. This could result in children's safety being compromised in a real situation. The childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues and the Area Child Protection Committee procedures contribute towards the children's safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and secure in the care of the childminder and his co-childminder who provide a 'home-from-home', family environment. Children make good relationships with their childminders and each other. For example, a 2 year old welcomes another child as she arrives, with a friendly greeting, and a 3 year old enjoys talking with her childminder about important events in her life, like going on holiday to France. Children develop confidence in making choices and making their needs known, as they can be sure of a friendly response. They develop independence skills both in their play and practical activities, such as putting on boots to go outside to play. Children are involved in a broad range of activities that promote learning in all areas of development. These include construction, stories and books, puzzles, dough, art and craft, miniature world, music and cooking. For example, a 3 year old enjoys

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stories read to her by her childminder, she likes to predict and join in when appropriate. Children use their senses to explore during activities like dough, when they prod, push and squeeze it into shapes. The childminder supports his co-childminder in planning and providing experiences linked with the Foundation Stage and the Birth to Three Matters framework. He makes observations on children's development which is then co-ordinated into progress records by his co-childminder. Children choose from a suitable range of play equipment which is stored appropriately to allow them to make some choices for themselves. Children are encouraged to think and solve problems during their play through the childminder's consistent support in their activities. For example, when completing a jigsaw, the childminder asks a child to look at the straight edges to help her decide which way round the pieces go. Children develop good language and vocabulary as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they take part in conversations about a variety of aspects of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals. The childminder gets to know each child well through positive interaction when supporting their activities, and effective communication with parents. Children develop a sense of belonging. They are made to feel included and part of the family home. For example, a 2 year old enjoys recognising and naming familiar faces as he looks at photos of minded children,

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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 displayed on the kitchen door. Children start to develop an open attitude to a diverse society as they see positive images within their play equipment, and observe acceptance of individual differences in people shown by their childminder. Children behave well. They learn what is expected through daily routine such as taking off boots and shoes after playing outside. They respond well to the childminder's praise and encouragement for effort and achievement, which helps boost their self esteem. Children benefit from the childminder's friendly, open relationships with parents. The childminder promotes good communication between himself, his co-childminder and parents. This includes a prospectus for parents about the setting, daily opportunities for discussion, and a daily diary for each child which includes events, achievements,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

food and sleep. This contributes towards individual needs being met effectively.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children gain from the childminder's commitment to developing his role in childcare. He has worked as an assistant to his wife in her childminding for many years and is increasing his knowledge in various aspects of caring for children by attending training courses. The two childminders work well together as a team which means that the organisation of time and premises are effective in meeting children's individual needs. For example, the youngest children are settled to sleep in one room by the co-childminder, as the childminder involves other children in quiet activities in a separate area. Records are all in place, up-to-date and appropriately organised, however the details of the administration of medicines are not always recorded very clearly, which could lead to confusion. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. The childminder meets the needs of the

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 children always wash their hands before eating • practise the emergency evacuation procedure more frequently, so that all children know what is expected, and to ensure it is effective.

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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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