Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 145657 Inspection date 20 June 2005 Inspector Samantha Powis

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and their four children, one nine years old, the others all teenagers. They live in the Bishopdown area of Salisbury. She is registered to care for five children aged under eight years, and currently has five children on roll. Minded children have access to the ground and first floors of the property, and a garden area to the rear for outdoor play. The family have two cats. The childminder takes children to and from local schools and pre-schools, and

p.2

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 attends local childminding groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to be healthy due to the childminder providing them with nutritious meals and snacks. Snacks provided by the childminder are healthy, and always take account of the children's individual dietary needs. The childminder does not always talk to the children about healthy options when eating, which limits their understanding of why it is important. Drinks are offered to the children regularly, ensuring they are not thirsty. Children are cared for in a well ventilated and clean home. They follow good hygiene procedures to promote their health and well being. They are encouraged to wash their hands prior to having a snack and after using the toilet. This minimises the risk of cross infection. Children's well being is compromised due to the way administered medications are recorded. The information is often incomplete and there is no clear system to ensure

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

the information is always shared with parents. Children's health is promoted as they are encouraged to engage in physical activity on a daily basis. They regularly go on local walks or play at the park.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and well maintained home, which helps them to feel secure and settled. Risks are identified and necessary action is taken to minimise danger to the children and keep them safe. They have access to an interesting range of safe and suitable toys and equipment. Safety arrangements are reviewed according to the ages of children being cared for, for example the use of stair gates when younger children are attending. This ensures children of all ages are protected. However, children's safety cannot be ensured due to the back gate being insecure. Children's welfare is safeguarded due to the childminder maintaining all the required documentation, and holding a current first aid qualification. However, some records lack contact details for the children. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures which supports her in her role of keeping children safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe when taken on local outings and in the childminder's vehicle. The childminder has installed appropriate fire protection devices such as smoke alarms on each level, to ensure the risks to children are minimised. Children learn to take responsibility for their own safety whilst they are with the childminder. This includes

p.3

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 learning about emergency evacuation and the dangers of smoke and fire.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Warm relationships are established between the childminder and the children, giving them a strong sense of belonging. They learn to develop sensitive relationships with other minded children. This is encouraged through discussion and explanation by the childminder and regular attendance at toddler groups. They feel settled and secure within the family home environment due to the familiar routines. The positive interaction between the children and the childminder increases children's sense of belonging. Children have opportunities to make independent choices in their play, due to the broad range of resources available which are stored at child height. Children enjoy being involved in a wide variety of fun activities, which includes opportunities for them to make models with dough, engage in painting and build and design using construction toys. They enjoy exploring the local environment. They use natural

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

items, such as collected leaves, in creative activities. The childminder uses these opportunities as a good way to introduce the children learning about the changing seasons and the weather, extending their understanding of and promoting their interest in the world around them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals, which helps them to feel secure. The childminder seeks information about each child's needs. She requests additional information as necessary, to allow her to support specific needs. She develops effective relationships with the parents. The childminder speaks to parents on a daily basis, ensuring children's changing needs are noted and their achievements shared. Children's behaviour is managed by the childminders basic awareness of behaviour management, however, she lacks a full awareness of effective strategies. She uses lots of praise and encouragement to reinforce good behaviour. Children are supported well in their play. As a result of this, children are respectful towards each other and demonstrate an understanding of the childminder's expectations. Children develop a secure awareness of their local community, encouraged through

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

regular outings. They are beginning to develop an understanding of the wider world by having access to a basic range of resources.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled within the homely environment. Space within the home is well

p.4

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 organised, giving them opportunities to play, eat and rest in comfort and safety. Children are protected due to the childminders clear understanding of the requirement for her to keep Ofsted informed of any changes in her circumstances. She updates her training to ensure she can provide appropriate care and support to the children in the event of an emergency. Children's wellbeing is affected due to the lack of detail in some documentation including the medication record. Children's safety is compromised due to the incomplete information on some individual records. This would prevent the childminder being able to contact a nominated person in the event of an emergency. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children that attend.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has increased her understanding of child protection procedures. She is now clear on her role and responsibility, and knows who she should notify if she has any concerns. This helps to ensure children remain protected. She has also produced a simple information sheet for parents, which informs them about the her role and other household members, information about the activities and behaviour management, which helps to ensure all children's needs are met.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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 children are protected by improving the security of the garden. • review the procedure for maintaining documentation, including the medication record and the children's information records, to ensure they include detailed and accurate information, and that parents are kept informed.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6