Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY309260 Inspection date 21 November 2005 Inspector Jo Blackman

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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 daughter aged three in the village of Shillington, near Hitchin. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five on a part time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler groups. The family has no pets.

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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 supports children with special educational needs and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. Their dietary needs are clearly understood and they are offered nutritious snacks and meals because the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. Meals are cooked using fresh organic ingredients and include a variety such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Children's health and development is very well promoted through their participation in a variety of stimulating physical activities. They are developing control of their bodies and a wide range of skills through regular opportunities for outdoor activities. These include visits to the local park and walking around the local community and visiting local run toddler groups. They also enjoy playing in the garden with ride-on toys and grassed area for imaginative play. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child

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Helping children to be healthy

development to adapt these to a suitable level. The children are well supported by the childminder, promoting their confidence to try out new skills and experiences. Routines are in place to limit the spread of infection and ensure that children are cared for in a clean environment.

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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 warm, welcoming and safe environment. Their ongoing safety is prioritised as the childminder is aware of potential risks and takes appropriate steps to minimise these. For example, when children are playing in the hallway, the childminder stays in the immediate area, never leaving children unsupervised and encouraging them to use the equipment safely. Children use safe, clean toys and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are appropriate for their ages and developmental stages. Children are beginning to build up their knowledge about keeping themselves safe as the childminder gives them clear explanations, for example, the childminder talks about road safety and not talking to strangers with the children and they share books to reiterate this. The children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has knowledge of child protection procedures and has ensured that she has all relevant

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

documentation and contact details, however, her knowledge of possible signs and symptoms are limited.

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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 are confident and settled. They are enthusiastic about their time with the childminder and happily self-select toys and play resources. They have very good relationships with the childminder, sharing ideas for various topics with her and readily asking for help when needed. The children's independence is promoted as they freely make choices about their play. The childminder is skilled in providing stimulating activities and resources. For example, a textured box is provided where children of all ages can enjoy the touch and feel of different kinds of material and textures and talk about them with the childminder. Children spend their time purposefully, they enjoy a varied, stimulating range of activities including imaginative play, construction, painting, visits to the museum,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

cooking and outdoor play. Their overall development is promoted and they are encouraged to explore and learn about their environment as the childminder has a good understanding of child development. She thoughtfully plans activities and shows genuine enthusiasm for these and all areas of play, helping to ensure that children are positively and happily engaged at all times. Children's self-esteem and confidence is promoted through the childminder's role of supporting their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to feel valued and respected because the childminder makes sure that she is aware of their individual needs and beliefs and is able to meet these consistently. Children are always treated as individuals and are encouraged to respect each other but also to work together. They benefit from the way in which the childminder works in partnership with parents, ensuring that they are fully informed of their children's progress and activities through talking with them and keeping them up to date. Children play well together and are learning about sharing and turn-taking. They are encouraged to take responsibility for this and are developing their negotiation skills and an understanding of each other's needs and how to incorporate these in decision-making. Their behaviour is good and they have a clear understanding of the ground rules and respecting the boundaries which are consistently applied by the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder. Children are encouraged to respect and appreciate other cultures and ways of life through activities offered. They have access to a range of resources such as books, dressing up clothes and dolls, to help increase their understanding of this area. They also learn about their local community and wider society through regular use of local facilities such as the shops and parks.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the needs of all children are met. Resources are effectively organised and children are therefore able to determine their own play. The individual needs of children are met as the childminder ensures that she has all the necessary information about minded children and that she clearly understands this. Their

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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 emotional and physical development is promoted through the childminder's effective organisation of her daily work. She makes sure that there is time to offer children a range of activities and to ensure that they have regular outside play. The children's overall welfare is promoted as the childminder has ensured that she has relevant paperwork in place which includes policies and procedures which are shared with parents. The childminder organises her work to ensure that children are supervised at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At registration the childminder was asked to ensure that suitable furniture and equipment was made available to meet the needs of children aged 5 - 8 years. The childminder has suitable equipment in place to meet the needs of children of this age attending. She was also asked to ensure that required documentation was in place prior to childminding commencing. With the exception of permission for seeking emergency medical treatment and advice for all children, she has in place all the necessary documentation required.

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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 that written permission for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice is in place for all children • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection in order to recognise possible signs and symptoms

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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:

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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 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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