Childminder in North Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306488 Inspection date 09 November 2005 Inspector Claire Sheldrake

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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. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 years and 10 years. They live in a semi detached house in Weston Super Mare. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, and is currently minding one child under 5 years during the day and two children over 5 years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, and takes children to the local park. The family has a dog.

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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 She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children can play in a well maintained environment. The lounge is the used as a play room, set up with toys on the floor for the child to reach and play. The resources seem clean and are suitable for the age of the child. The childminder follows a daily routine, ensuring the child feels secure, and to make sure that all her developmental needs are met. She recognises that the child is getting tired, and cuddles her before putting her down to sleep. The children's needs are further met through special note being taken of preferences, food allergies, and religious/cultural requirements on the children's record forms. Throughout the day, the child has access to a drink in a suitable, non spill cup. She is encouraged to start to recognise her own needs and enjoys helping herself. A healthy meal of sandwiches, fruit and yoghurt, is given for lunch providing the child with a well balanced diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

All the children's health is protected. The family have a dog which is regularly wormed and vaccinated. This ensures that she does not pose a health risk to them. The dog can be kept separately as necessary. The children's independence is encouraged with regard to personal hygiene. In partnership with the parents, the childminder has prepared for the introduction of toilet training with the baby. Every day the children are given plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills by crawling, walking, climbing, and jumping. They regularly go to the park and run around, allowing the older children from school, some freedom to unwind and enjoy the fresh air. They manage steps to the slides and swing from climbing bars to encourage balance and control. Paperwork is mainly in place to cover all aspects of children's health, these include accident and medical records; however, there is no written permission for any of the

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Helping children to be healthy

children should they need emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a good awareness of safety when she is caring for children. She ensures that adequate ratios are always met, and that children are closely supervised, both in and away from her childminding premises. The equipment for the children, is age appropriate, in good repair and conforms to safety standards; for example, high chairs with reins, safety gates to the stairs, fire guards in the lounge.

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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 children are not at risk when in the kitchen area, as safety features such as door locks, prevent access to some of the cupboards. The fridge is used to store food at an appropriate temperature, and this combined with the childminders knowledge and training in food hygiene, makes sure that the environment is kept safe for children. The childminder ensures that any hazards to children whilst away from the home are minimised. She carefully supervises the children whilst out in the park and walking along the road. The premises are kept secure with a high lock and children are not able to leave unsupervised. The childminder has knowledge of child protection procedures through her Introduction to Childminding (ICP) training. She has all the relevant leaflets and contact details available. She will report any issues to the relevant agencies as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder sits playing with the child, and she is encouraged to be involved in the activity. Between them they talk about building up a tower made from the cups, and wait with anticipation, as they fall down. The child enjoys playing with a selection of different sized pots on the floor. This introduces her to early maths concepts such as the recognition of size, shape and fitting one pot into another. The child enjoys sharing cloth books with the childminder, they interact well and discuss the pictures, recognising the baby and introducing sounds for the animals. The child enjoys the closeness of this activity and the one to one attention. The child is allowed to choose from the toys available, and one of her favourites is the telephone. She is beginning to use words as a form of communication and the childminder is quick to respond to her and repeat her efforts. The child is starting to link words with actions, by the childminder talking about what

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

she is doing; for example, preparing lunch, putting the toys away and answering the phone. She discovers new words and tries to repeat them. Her efforts are appreciated and recognised by the childminder and early conversation is beginning to take place. With the use of familiar songs and rhymes the childminder helps the child to explore and learn about herself and her environment. This helps the child to develop her social, interactive and communication skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A selection of toys and resources show a diversity of culture, religion and non-gender stereotyping. The children learn about their community, how others live and the world around them, by getting out and about. Books are shared with the children and some

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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 role-play toys are available. The childminder observes the child and has close links with parents. She feels confident in identifying any aspect of special needs and sharing any concerns with parents. This ensures that children’s needs are recognised and met. The children are aware of boundaries and behaviour management is discussed with parents to ensure consistency. Good manners are encouraged and introduced with respect to a child’s level of understanding and maturity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The child is beginning to develop an awareness of herself and how she fits into her surroundings, she feels settled and secure, as she is treated as one of the family. Good interaction and support from the childminder, ensures she learns about herself, similarities with others and any differences. The childminder has made good relationships with the child, she recognises her needs and responds to her with affection and comfort, especially when she becomes tired. This bond will help the child become confident in building secure relationships with others in the future.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has attended the ICP course, and her first aid certificate is current. Her childminding certificate is displayed in a folder for parents to see. All suitable person checks have been carried out, ensuring suitability. Public liability insurance is in place to ensure children's safety. Adult/child ratios are well met. This allows each child enough individual support and attention to feel valued and secure. There is an organised feel to the day, which provides children with a variety of activities within their daily routine. Documentation is available; however, some consent forms are not available. Her childminding provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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 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): • Seek written parental permission for any necessary emergency advice or treatment to their children in the future. • Ensure parents give written permission for their child to be transported in a vehicle.

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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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