Childminder in WiltshireOfsted inspection, 14 Sept 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 161797 Inspection date 14 September 2005 Inspector Beverley Blackburn

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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 outstanding. 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and four children, in a detached house in Sutton Benger. There are shops, a school and local park within walking distance. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have one cat, two guinea pigs and a rabbit. The childminder attends the local toddler group and meets with other childminders in the area on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding

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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 Association. She is registered to care for five children at any one time, and is currently minding six children mostly part-time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from an excellent environment, where they can learn about high standard of personal care through a well-planned daily routine. Children confidently develop a positive attitude to good hygiene practices as the childminder carefully explains to them reasons why washing hands before eating and after visiting the toilet are important to maintain good health. There are also very effective procedures in place to protect children from illness and infection. Children benefit from well-balanced nutritious meals and snacks. Their understanding of what they are eating is enhanced as the childminder discusses with them healthy and unhealthy foods. The childminder takes account of the parent’s wishes and the children’s choice. She has an excellent understanding of children with special dietary needs. Children benefit from regular outdoor activities; they have the opportunity to develop

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Helping children to be healthy

superb control of their bodies through vigorous physical activities that include the use of the garden and visits to the local park; this contributes to their good health. The younger children join in the activities enthusiastically because the childminder makes good use of the Birth to three matters framework to plan appropriate activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in, and benefit from, a secure and homely environment. The childminder successfully minimises all risks, which helps children to move around the home safely. There is a safe place for toddler and babies to crawl, roll and sit with support. Children independently select activities from an excellent range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises the children’s choice of toys and equipment to ensure they are safe and appropriate to the age and development of the children, for example, toys with small pieces are inaccessible to very young children. The childminder gives high priority to helping children to understand how to stay safe outside of the home, by showing them how to be safe on the roads. She also enhances their awareness through stories and discussions. Children’s welfare and safety is enhanced through the childminder’s extremely good

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of the procedure to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. This, she achieves through attending training courses to increase her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. The children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has all the required

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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 documentation in place to ensure their safety and promoting their well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are settled and happy and feel at home and at ease in a warm, caring and well-organised environment. They benefit from an excellent range of stimulating and purposeful indoor and outdoor activities. For example, children learn to recognise their left and right feet by childminder using cut outs of feet on which children place their shoes. The well-planned activities contribute to children's development and learning. They provide a high level of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development, such as a scrapbook of cutting and sticking activities of healthy and unhealthy foods. Children are extremely confident, animated and enthusiastic about their play. They enjoy looking at books together, listening to stories and joining in games that encourage imagination and role-play. Children take pleasure in each other’s company. They play together co-operatively,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

share and take turns. This promotes their sense of achievement and helps them to learn to negotiate. Children receive consistent support and meaningful praise and encouragement from the childminder, which helps to enhance their self-esteem and confidence. Children are listened to and have their questions answered. The childminder is very attentive to them, she clearly enjoys being with them and helping them to learn. For example looking at a big children's map together and identifying the different countries they have been on holiday to. Children are treated as individuals and their individual needs are met. They are cuddled and made to feel secure, which enhance their sense of well-being. The childminder has a good understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and incorporates this into her practice to support children's learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from an excellent range of activities and resources such as a wide range of books that promote a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others and the differences and similarities. Children also learn about the wider community as they visit places such as the library, the local park and local school. The excellent relationship between the parents and the childminder contributes to the children sense of belonging. They benefit from the childminder's excellent working relationship with their parents, which involves sharing her policies and procedures, daily diary and regular feedback. They are kept well informed about the provision of children’s activities; this contributes to continuity in the children’s care.

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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 Children learn to understand right and wrong. The childminder uses very good strategies for managing behaviour, to encourage positive behaviour in children and to encourage children to play harmoniously. Children have individual attention from the childminder so that they can be supported, progress and develop. For example, ensuring children with special needs are well supported and older, more able children's learning is appropriately extended. Children are highly valued as individuals and their needs are identified and addressed, this enables them to flourish in the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children’s safety is maximised because of a consistently high standard within a well-organised setting. Children are extremely confident and totally at ease in the relaxed and homely environment, where the children confidently seek support from the childminder. The children’s care is significantly enhanced by the childminder’s very comprehensive and exceptionally well-organised documentation. Children benefit from the childminder successfully maintaining an appropriate child to adult ratio, and her extensive training. She continuously updates her skills, as a result, children receive a high level of care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and to ensure children have an appropriate range of resources and activities that promote equality. The childminder now obtains written consent from the parents before administering medication to children. In addition, she has significantly improved her resources to promote equality of opportunity. Children’s safety has increased and their understanding of the wider world has improved.

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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 outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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