Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 219727 Inspection date 16 December 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 1989. She lives with her husband, one adult child and one younger child in the village of Everton near Sandy, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and two children over five before and after school only. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler groups. 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 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 because the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. She encourages the children to help prepare snacks by cutting fruit and counting out the right amount of bowls. Meals are provided by parents unless they request the childminder to provide these. Routines are in place to limit the spread of infection such as, children have individual face clothes and hand towels to use. Children are regularly encouraged to wash their hands before and after snacks. 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 to and from school. They also enjoy

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Helping children to be healthy

playing in the garden with ride-on toys and a play house. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child development to adapt the activities to a level which is suitable for their age and stage of development. The children are well supported by the childminder, promoting their confidence to try out new skills and experiences.

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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, before children arrive the childminder checks her home to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. 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, they are able to use the swings safely in the park as they understand the importance of taking turns. Children are beginning to learn about staying safe because the childminder is developing their knowledge of crossing roads safely and always staying in sight when out of the home. The children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has an effective

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

knowledge of child protection having completed child protection training. However, not all the relevant documentation is in place.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. 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, discussing 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 and then allowing children to determine their own activities and learning. For example, children use the play dough and kitchen equipment together, they use their imagination in making pancakes and talk about the foods they enjoy to eat. Children spend their time purposefully, they enjoy a varied and stimulating range of activities including imaginative play, construction, painting, visits to the park, baking and outdoor play. Their overall development is promoted and they are encouraged to explore and learn

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. For example, children make their parents Christmas cards and are then encouraged to put a stamp on and post the card in the post box, eagerly awaiting for their parents to receive the card at home. 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. However, parents are not fully informed of the complaints procedure to follow. 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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

ground rules, respecting the boundaries which are consistently applied by the childminder. Children are encouraged to respect and appreciate other cultures and ways of life. They have access to a range of resources such as books and dressing up clothes, 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, library's and parks.

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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

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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 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. The childminder has developed her own knowledge and understanding of child development through further training that she has completed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that the bathroom lock was made safe. The lock has since been moved out of the children's reach, ensuring that they can visit the bathroom safely.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection/registration 1st April 2004. 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 that concerns are recorded in accordance with the Area Child

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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 Protection Committee guidance of procedures • ensure that the complaints procedure is in accordance with Standard 12 of the National Standards

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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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