Thornton, Timothy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302370 Inspection date 26 October 2005 Inspector Janet Maria Moutter

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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 and works in partnership with his wife, also a registered childminder. He lives with his wife and 3 children, 2 of school age and an adult at college, in Abbeymeads in Swindon, Wiltshire. The whole 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 6 children at any one-time and is currently minding 1 child under 5 full-time, 2 part-time and 3 over 5 before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a rabbit and 2

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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 guinea pigs.

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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 his clear sickness policy that he 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 and are enjoyed by the children. For example the older children are able to give reasons why some meals are good or bad. The children are presented with a healthy selection of finger foods

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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.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very 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, dinning room, lounge and hall with access to computer room and downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs is used for sleep. However, the children mostly play in the conservatory play room which has been purpose built and used for safe play. 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 childminder works in partnership with another childminder and he takes the older children to play cricket or football on the large grass area opposite his home, ensuring that the children are always within sight The children can independently access activities from a very good range of safe and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

interesting toys and equipment. For example large garden toys are stored in the garage with access easily available. There are pushchairs and prams to cover every eventuality such as triple and double buggies and buggy boards. The house toys are

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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 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, dolls and musical instruments. Older children are supervised using the computers and if they are watching DVD’s. Older children use the kitchen under supervision where dangerous items such as knives are out of reach. There is an adult size safety gate to ensure the 3 year olds do not access the kitchen unsupervised. The kitchen has customised magnetic doors to restrict access. 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. They do not have access to the family

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

pets. However, there is a run for the pets in the garden and plenty of garden toys for the children to play on. The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. He 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. He keeps his first aid skills up-to-date however, he is aware that he has only recently become a registered childminder and does benefit heavily from the support given by his wife, a very experienced childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. 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 such as painting, drawing, and building with duplo, which contributes to their creativity. The childminder promotes language development well through his 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. He listens and responds to their diverse range and emerging vocal

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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 has begun to use 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 as to how high the duplo bricks will stack. By ensuring the very young do not play with small pieces, the childminder encourages them to safely enjoy their individual role and identity within a group.

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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 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.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 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 are able to use all the resources provided such as dolls and dressing-up clothes which reflect the diversity of modern life. At present there are no children with special needs at this provision. However, the childminder is making a committed effort to educate himself about particular conditions from various sources such as ‘Baby Signing’. He has recognised his

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Helping children make a positive contribution

limited knowledge in this area and wants to improve his understanding to enhance his childcare practise. One child has English as an additional language who is developing a local Wiltshire accent, the parents are pleased with the child's progress. Parents have clear information about the setting and their children’s progress through the introduction of Birth to Three framework. He works in partnership with his wife who is an accredited childminder. All children thrive in the care of these 2 childminders and have their needs attended to. Both childminders work closely with parents to find out about their children’s specific requirements before they start with them so that routines for babies and younger children are followed. Subsequently, parents receive regular information of what their children do and achieve during their time with both childminders.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children cared for by this childminder benefit from his growing knowledge and skills, which he uses very well. A recommendation arises from this outcome because he works with another childminder who takes full responsibility for planning, record keeping and the provision of meals. He does his utmost to find out about the needs of children in his care so that he 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

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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 organised and balances the various demands made on his 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 he provides care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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.

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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): • improve knowledge and further develop play plans and activities for the younger children, for example by using the Birth to Three Matters framework • ensure that planning is implemented so that the required records that are in place and the healthy nutritious meals provided are completed and prepared by the childminder on a regular basis

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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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