Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY283831 Unique Reference Number 15 September 2005 Inspection date Kay Roberts Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 first registered in 2004 and is a member of both the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and South Gloucestershire's Children Come First Childminding Network.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her partner and young son, aged 3-years, in a two-bedroom mid-terrace property in North Common, South Gloucestershire. The home is located in a quiet cul-de-sac, close to St Barnabus Primary School and the Bristol to Bath cycle path. There are no family pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to the lounge and kitchen/diner. Bathroom facilities are located on the first floor. The second bedroom is available for any child who requires a sleep. The fully enclosed back garden is suitable for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Registration is for a maximum of 5 children and currently there are 4 children on roll, 3 of whom attend full time education.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children know how to promote their own health and well being. They recognise that physical exercise such as running makes them healthy. If clothes become wet they know that they would be more comfortable if they put on fresh clothes and to save embarrassment the childminder provides privacy in another room. Children know how to protect themselves from the sun; by applying sun cream, wearing hats and sitting under a gazebo.

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Helping children to be healthy

As diet is discussed they are able to list a range of fruit and vegetables that are good to eat and know that sweets and crisps are less good for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children relax as they play and babies crawl in a clean environment. Children show respect for keeping things clean and know they should take off their shoes before entering the lounge. The risk of children becoming ill from cross infection is minimised as the childminder shares her clear sickness policy for excluding children who are ill with parents. She follows hygienic routines and children do not need to be reminded that they must wash their hands before lunch. Children are protected as the childminder has appropriate procedures for managing accidents and medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take regular exercise as they walk to and from school and go on nature walks along the cycle track and dram way. In the garden children enjoy participating in fun races, such as obstacle courses when they climb up and over the climbing frame, use the scooter down the path and then balance an egg on a spoon as they return to the house. When the weather is inclement they take exercise through music and movement and stretch their bodies as they play 'Globe Trotting'. Babies attempt to crawl in order to reach interesting toys placed just out of their reach. The daily routine includes time for rest and sleep so children do not become over tired. Babies are encouraged to rest as they are given a bottle of milk and changed prior to being placed in the cot. They relax as they are given their comforter and kneeling beside them the childminder quietly says "shhhh" as she strokes them a few times before leaving the

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Helping children to be healthy

room. Older children relax as they sit next to the childminder and listen to a story.

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Helping children to be healthy

At meal times all children sit together and eat varied, healthy well balanced meals. If the weather is warm they have fun as they sit outside and take a picnic to Willsbridge Mill. Children's diets are extended as the childminder introduces new foods by explaining that it is good for them, such as brown bread. Babies feel secure as they are cuddled by the childminder as they drink their bottle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming, child focussed environment. There are bright educational posters on the wall and pictures created by children. The lounge has been sectioned off with a large gate so that both babies and children have space. Toys are ready for children as they arrive. Children confidently help themselves to toys from the shelves and babies select

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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 from the range laid out on the floor. The childminder has an album of the extensive range of clean, safe toys stored elsewhere in the home so children are not limited to what is reached out on a daily basis. Children remain interested in the toys and books as the childminder also visits two toy libraries and allows children to select the toys they wish to take back. There is sufficient equipment in place to meet the needs of minded children, such as high chairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides close supervision and continually checks the environment so that the risk of children having an accident is minimised. In the event of a fire, children are protected as fire safety regulations are met in full and children know the emergency evacuation procedure through monthly practise. Children have a good understanding of safety. When a new baby was placed with the childminder she consulted the other children, asking how they were to keep the baby safe. They decided that the baby should go on the play mat and that they should not go in that area without asking the childminder first. Children know how to cross roads without risk of harm and that they should not accept sweets off strangers. The childminder's good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and local child protection procedures keeps children safe from potential abuse and neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and want to be with the childminder. Babies put out their arms to the childminder and to the older children. They are given a cuddle in response. Minded children show care and consideration for each other. When the childminder goes out of the room for a few minutes they turn on the cassette player so that the baby can listen to the music, and inform the childminder when the baby is trying to turn over. Children socialise with peers on a regular basis at toddler groups. Children feel important as they confidently choose a game to play with the childminder and their decision is supported with great enthusiasm. They sit next to the childminder and enjoy listening to the story they have chosen. At the end of the story the childminder comments that she really enjoyed the story and that the child had made an excellent choice. When the childminder points out that some words rhyme, children respond

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

by giving an example of other words that rhyme such as "yum, yum, my tum".

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good communication skills; confidently answering questions and explaining how toys such as the cassette player work. They take turns with the childminder to make up a story as they use the story puzzle cards. Mathematical development is also promoted by the childminder. Children completed 26 piece puzzles without assistance. As they fill in the calendar with the childminder they know that 15 comes after 14. Babies watch with interest. Children want to try new things such as magic maze and talk about what they plan to make. Further opportunities are available for children to develop creativity; exploring paint, glue, paper-mache, dough, clay and baking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies make good progress as childminder has an effective planning cycle for children under 3-years based on 'Birth to three matters' for which she has received training. Although children over 3- years continue to make progress the childminder does not plan, but prefers to allow children to choose.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Babies new to the provider settle very quickly as they have a minimum of four settling in sessions during which time they begin to develop trust. The childminder has a very strong relationship with parents so that children are relaxed when with their carer. Parents are provided with good quality information about the provision, via a copy of the well presented, detailed prospectus, regular newsletters and photographs. The daily diary enables both parents and childminder to meet children's needs on a daily basis. The childminder is attentive to children's individual needs so that each child feels special. Although not experienced in caring for children with special needs, the childminder has a good understanding about how she would achieve this through working in partnership and other professionals. Every child feels important as the childminder organises whole group activities, such as making the large collage of people, many

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of the images reflecting diversity. As they make the collage, which is now displayed in the lounge children learn to positively appreciate difference through discussion. Children further develop their understanding of diversity as the childminder organises craft activities to tie in with cultural celebrations. Before playing 'Globe Trotter' children select a colour and the childminder names the continents. Later she explains that the Indian Ocean is warm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Many good opportunities are provided so that children value nature. They plant and water a variety of seeds and watch them grow. When the flowers die back they pick and pop the seed pods ready for planting the following year. Children know that they should respect animals as they are taken to the petting corners at Grimsby Farm and Noah's Ark. On nature walks along the Bristol to Bath cycle path and dram way they pick up leaves, acorns and grass and then make a big collage. They learn more about the local community as they visit shops, toddlers and the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved, polite, take responsibility for helping to tidy up after themselves and show consideration for the environment and others. They learn from example and very strong reinforcement for positive behaviour provided by the childminder. The childminder also teaches children to protect themselves from bullying through discussion and stories such as 'No more bullying'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care for. She is appropriately qualified and keen to extend her practice has consulted with parents and undertaken additional training such as 'Healthy Eating and Snack Ideas', 'Creative Movement' and 'Equal Opportunities'. Further training is scheduled for the future. The childminder is enthusiastic about her work and has many plans for the future, such as extending the treasure basket for babies and placing photographs of visits in an album as a way of promoting language skills and providing more information to parents. The childminder is well organised and once minded children arrive she devotes all her time to playing with them. She has a system in place so that children receive appropriate care even in an emergency. Up to date documentation complies with the requirements of the National Standards. It is confidentially maintained and

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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 where appropriate shared with parents so that they are well informed about their children and the childminder's practices.

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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): • continue to extend planning so that children over 3-years are also included

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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