Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304874 Inspection date 13 December 2005 Inspector Dinah Round

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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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and 1 year old daughter. They live in a house in Lilliput, Poole, near to local amenities. Childminding is generally confined to the ground floor, with sleep provision provided in the first floor. Toilet facilities are accessible on both levels. Children have access to a large enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children under 8 years. She currently cares for4 children, on a part time basis.

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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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being provided with healthy and nutritional meals. For example, they enjoy Spaghetti Bolognese and yoghurt at lunch time. Younger children are encouraged to learn to feed themselves. Children are offered a choice of snacks, which include breadsticks and a selection of fresh and dried fruit. Drinks are provided at regular intervals throughout the day, which ensures that children do not get thirsty. Children's dietary requirements are discussed with parents and recorded, and the childminder will adapt food she provides to make sure children's individual needs are met. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. There are some effective procedures in place to ensure children's good health is maintained. These include good nappy changing procedures, and the provision of liquid soap and paper towels. However, some daily practices are not consistently followed by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Therefore children are not always encouraged to develop good habits, such as washing hands before eating their snack. Clear information is shared with parents about the exclusion of children with infectious illnesses, which helps to reduce the spread of infection. Children are provided with a good balance of physical activities, with times to be outside and opportunities for rest and sleep. They enjoy regular outings to local parks where they are able to run and kick a football. This helps to promote their physical development and co-ordination skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is assured through the provision of a safe and secure environment. The high level safety measures maintained within the home ensure that children remain safe. These include cupboard locks on low kitchen cupboards and gates to prevent access to the stairs and kitchen. Children are kept safe on outings through the childminder's effective procedures. For example, she provides appropriate car seats and checks that areas are safe and suitable for the age of the children. Fire and emergency procedures have been developed and practiced with the children. Children move around safely and freely in the well organised environment. Appropriate equipment is provided to support their needs. For example, a step is used to enable younger children to easily reach the wash basin. Children have access to a wide range of clean, good quality toys and play equipment. The resources are effectively organised in separate boxes, to make sure that they are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

suitable for the children's age and stage of development.

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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 The childminder a good knowledge of child protection issues and procedures, which helps her in her role of keeping children safe. Her child protection policy is shared with parents, which keeps parents informed of her responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are confident in the familiar routines, which take into account their individual needs such as sleep and rest times. Children feel secure in the relaxed and stimulating environment. Children are involved in a wide range of activities and experiences that promote learning in all areas of development. The childminder makes effective use of the Birth to three matters framework to extend the younger children's learning and involvement in activities. Children are kept interested and well occupied by the various play opportunities offered. These include using their senses to explore and experiment with paint, dough, clay and glue. They also enjoy freely making marks and creating a picture with the chalks on the chalkboard. The childminder recognises their individual achievements, which helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem. Children show

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enthusiasm as they join in with the action rhymes during the singing session. Children have good relationships with the childminder and benefit from her positive interaction. The children's independence is actively encouraged within the daily routines and activities. For example, they enjoy helping to set the table at lunch time and happily select books for the childminder to read.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected which helps them to feel good about themselves. The childminder is aware of their particular requirements, and through close liaison with parents she ensures that the children's individual needs are met. All children are included in all activities, as experiences are effectively adapted to suit each child's age and stage of development. Children benefit from well balanced attention from the childminder. For example, story time is successfully organised so all children can easily listen and enjoy the story. Children behave well and are learning to share and take turns. For example, they each wait their turn to hold the balloon and see it rise to the ceiling with amazement as they let go. Children benefit from the childminder's clear understanding of their individual ages and stages of development when dealing with behaviour issues. They respond to the childminder's effective use of distraction, such as the use of toys and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

activities to keep them occupied and interested. Children co-operate well in tidying up toys before the singing session. Children's individual needs are well met due to the effective systems in place to exchange information with parents and keep them informed. They receive clear

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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 written information about the childminder's policies and practices. The childminder has started to use the Birth to three matters framework to record the younger children's progress. This is shared with parents to keep them informed of their child's development. The daily informal discussions between the childminder and parents contribute to children's individual needs being met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and confident to explore within the well organised environment. The structure of the day provides opportunities for quiet and active play, allowing rest times as children's individual needs require. Resources are generally well positioned so children are able to access them easily. The childminder offers support when needed, for example setting up the easel so children can use it safely. Clear policies and procedures are in place to support the childminder's practices. Most aspects of documentation and records are well maintained. However, systems for effective risk assessment have not always been implemented. Individual contracts and parental consents are formulated with parents. All records are kept secure together in folders. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • make sure that the daily routines encourage children to learn good hygiene habits • implement a risk assessment, to make sure that all potential risks are identified

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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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