Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY101311 Inspection date 24 May 2005 Inspector Juliet Eileen Hartridge

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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 2002 and lives with her husband in a two bedroomed, semi-detached house in a rural village on the outskirts of Kingsbridge. Children play downstairs and there is a bedroom available for children to sleep in. Children also have access to a small level enclosed garden, and are taken out regularly on walks and outings. They are also collected from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder is registered to care for up to six children at any one time, and is currently caring for eight children on a part time basis.

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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 is working towards NVQ3 in Childcare and Education and belongs to a local childminding network. The family have a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have a varied day, which always includes outdoor exercise and opportunities for them to 'let off steam' after school or pre-school. They enjoy a healthy and balanced diet according to their individual needs, and are encouraged to try different nutritious foods. Lunchtime is a sociable and enjoyable time for children. The children's good health is well supported. The childminder carefully maintains all the necessary documentation to ensure she is well informed regarding the children's requirements. The children's medication, accident records and parental consents are carefully completed, and the childminder has a current first aid qualification. Children are cared for in a clean home. They learn the importance of appropriate hygiene routines, and are well supported and encouraged when they are toilet training. The safety of children around the dog is maintained through sensible

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Helping children to be healthy

precautions, such as a cage where the dog is fed and use of gates in the home to enable the children and dog to be separated if required.

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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 safe and welcoming environment where risks have been identified and minimised through use of appropriate safety measures and equipment. Children are well protected from the risk of fire through appropriate fire precautions and regularly practised fire drills. The childminder has public liability insurance, and has a good understanding of appropriate child protection procedures. Children are safely transported in the childminder's car; appropriate restraints are used and driving documentation is up to date. Children's awareness of road safety is encouraged through discussion about the use of crossings and careful observation of traffic. Children have access to a generally suitable range of toys, which are safe and clean. However they are stored in large boxes and are not particularly well arranged or displayed and therefore not easily selected by children. Children have good

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

opportunities to explore a variety of creative materials and resources.

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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 The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. Children's curiosity, understanding and interest in the world around them is skilfully encouraged by the childminder. For example children enjoyed checking and comparing the growth of their broad bean seeds, which they had previously planted in jars. They confidently named the parts of the plants and talked about what plants need to make them grow. Children are articulate and encouraged by the childminder to express their ideas and solve any problems arising in their play and construction activities. Children's questions are answered well, and the childminder encourages the children's co-operative play. She responds to the children with warm, friendly good humour. Children's imagination is stimulated by good opportunities to paint, draw and enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

messy play. Their enjoyment of books is encouraged by the suitable range of books which are readily available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well behaved; they are lively and curious but also polite and well mannered. They are appropriately encouraged by the childminder in a positive way; the childminder sets clear boundaries for children. She also encourages children to negotiate, work out their own disputes and develop their self control and respect for the needs of others. The children's individual needs and stages of development are carefully considered by the childminder. She works closely with the children's parents to find out about any special needs and their interests, and these are recorded appropriately. This helps the children feel welcome and included and their progress and development is consequently well supported. Children's understanding of diversity is appropriately encouraged; there is an interesting range of books, and any issues arising during children's play are discussed. Children confidently spoke a few words of French during the inspection.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure and well cared for in a suitably organised environment and routine. The childminder has a well organised approach to documentation, for example parents are well informed about her policies and aims. They are given helpful written information about her routine, and receive regular feedback about what their children have done during the day. Children enjoy a well planned day, with a variety of activities to keep them well occupied and suitably challenged. For example they enjoy messy play and creative activities during the morning, and regular outings during the week. They benefit from

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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 meeting up with other childminders and their children and visiting local places of interest, and attending weekly sessions at the family workshop. The childminder is committed to developing her childcare practice. She is currently working towards NVQ3 in childcare, and enjoys participating in training and sharing new ideas with other childminders. This has a positive impact on the care provided for children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues procedures. The childminder attended child protection training in April 2004 and has a good understanding of child protection issues and her responsibility regarding appropriate procedures to follow. This has improved safety for children. The childminder was also asked to improve the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She has collected and borrowed an interesting range of children's books, and attended an inclusion workshop in 2004. This has resulted in the childminder's increased level of understanding, and improved opportunities for children to learn about diversity and the wider community.

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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): • extend the range of toys and improve the storage facilities to enable children to select them more effectively.

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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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