Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305706 Inspection date 04 January 2006 Inspector Karen Louise Prager

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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 has been a registered minder since 2005. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 6 years, 4 years and 1 year, in the Greenmeadow area of Swindon, Wiltshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder collects children from Haydon Wick and Haydon Leigh primary Schools. She also takes and collects children from St John’s Pre-school and Haydon Meadow Pre-schools. The childminder makes good use of community facilities including visiting local parks, shops, toddler groups and the

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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 library. The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding four children who all attend on a part time basis. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. The family have a rabbit which is kept in a secure cage or run in the garden. The childminder attends the local childminder support meetings on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care from good examples set by the childminder. Hand washing is a regular part of the children's routine before eating and cooking. Children increase their understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle as they freely access drinks and discuss the importance of healthy food. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and children’s choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. Each day there are opportunities and activities to help children develop control of their bodies, for example, playing in the garden or local parks and exploring the locality together on their bikes.

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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 well organised, well maintained home. The childminder ensures children’s safety in most areas of the home and checks to ensure that she identifies and minimises risks. This means that they are able to move the home around safely, freely and independently. However, the children are currently able to leave the home unattended. The childminder has due regard to maintaining children’s safety outside the home, for example, supervising children when playing in the park. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment which meet safety standards. Safety measures, such as cupboard catches are in place in the kitchen ensuring children are not able to freely access cleaning materials. Fire prevention precautions are good. The fire fighting equipment such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket are suitably positioned and regularly tested. Fire evacuation

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures are in place and the evacuation drill is regularly practiced with the

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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 children. Children benefit from the clear understanding and knowledge the childminder has concerning child protection. All the required procedures and documents are in pace and used effectively to ensure children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming setting. They are at ease with the childminder who provides appropriate outings which helps develop the children’s independence and physical skills. This includes regular cycle trips to the park to make dens and have picnics. The childminder involves herself with their play offering support, for example, when playing with the remote controlled vehicle. Children learn through a variety of activities which the childminder offers, for example, dough, colouring and cooking promote creativity. Children play an active part in the setting. They enjoy making choices about their activities and care, for example, choosing sweets for their cake decorating. Children generally relate well to each other and are developing skills in sharing and negotiating. The childminder is flexible in her planning of daily activities putting the children’s interests first.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show that they are happy and settled in this household, in which there are warm and relaxed relationships. The childminder seeks to develop good relationships with the parents and this has encouraged most parents to work together to meet the children’s needs. Children are beginning to understand the needs of others, and are developing a good understanding of how to behave. The childminder uses positive strategies and good support to enable their understanding to develop. The childminder has a good understanding of children’s needs and that these may be varied. A small selection of resources are provided to promote a wide view of the world. This allows the children to increase their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children learn about their local community as the visit places of interest such as the library, parks and shops.

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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 The organisation is good. Children’s care is enhanced by effective organisation. Adults living in the home have been appropriately checked and are suitable to look care for children or have unsupervised access. Procedures have been thought through to provide suitable care of the children and these are shared with the parents. Regular discussions keep parents well informed about the children’s care and this contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Required paperwork is organised and accessible reflecting good organisational skills which are also evident in the planning of activities for the children. This demonstrates an understanding of their needs and further promotes good care. 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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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 the improved safety of the children through consistent ensuring the children are unable to leave the house unattended • extend the active promotion of equality of opportunity for all children

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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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