Childminder in Bristol

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY244554 Inspection date 04 November 2005 Inspector Timothy Butcher

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and 4 children aged 18, 16, 8 and 5 in Highridge, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom to the first floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding five children, four of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends toddler groups and takes children to the local library and park. The family has a dog and a

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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 cat. The childminder is a member of Children Come First, an approved quality assurance scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They are encouraged to eat healthily. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children are very well supported as they begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. Children are offered drinks throughout the day. Children are protected from infection by sensible hygiene procedures. Children are encouraged to follow suitable hygiene practices and to recognise the importance of cleanliness, for example, through routine hand washing before meals. Effective management of the dog allow children to have positive experiences of having a pet around. There is clear guidance for parents should children become ill, so that all children are protected from the spread of infection. There are suitable procedures in place to record accidents and for the administration of medication. The childminder ensures children have ample opportunities for physical exercise and

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Helping children to be healthy

active play. This is promoted through visits to toddler groups, the garden and the park, and through other activities such as dancing to music.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has created a child-friendly environment. Children select from a sturdy and solid range of toy resources that are put out in readiness for them. Boxes of resources are made easily accessible. They are labelled so that children can self-select and also begin to recognise that words have meaning. The floor space is used well so that children have freedom of movement and can play in safety. Children are prompted to help clear toys away before others are taken out and so begin to learn about keeping themselves and each other safe. Children play in a very safe environment. The childminder completes a through risk assessment of the premises and takes positive steps to reduce risks to children through, for example, the use of a stair gate to the kitchen and smoke detection equipment. The premises are secure and the garden is fully enclosed. Children have their welfare safeguarded. The childminder has a satisfactory

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of child protection issues and children are suitably protected.

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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 settled and happy with the childminder and enjoy a warm interaction and close relationship with her. They settle quickly on arrival. Children receive plenty of close physical contact and cuddles. They appear very secure. Children have the opportunity to rest or to be active as they choose. The childminder has a well-rounded understanding of child development. Children have positive experiences through play. They make good progress because the childminder provides a balanced range of stimulating activities and play opportunities that support their all round development. Children develop their language and cognitive skills, for example, through simple activities like naming the different coloured blocks when engaged in construction play. They practise small and large

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

muscle skills, such as when engaged in different painting activities. They use small brushes to paint pictures at the table and large brushes to 'paint' the walls with water when outside. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to help identify what children can do. She has a weekly plan of the variety of activities she intends to provide. This helps her provide for children's all round development. She has yet to develop her use of the framework fully. As a result, systematic planning for each child's next steps is not in place although the quality of the interactions allow all children to make good progress. Children are well engaged, interested and clearly enjoy their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit greatly from the strong partnership with parents. There is a good exchange of information and this contributes to the quality of care provided. The childminder provides a daily diary for parents, showing what children have done, using the Birth to three matters framework components. Additionally opportunities each day are made to have full discussions about individual children's needs and the everyday aspects of care. As a result, children receive continuity of care and have their individual needs met well. The system for recording complaints requires development. The childminder has a clear understanding of equality of opportunity issues and has a sound number of resources to help her with her practice. She also provides some planned activities specifically to support children's awareness of diversity. Activities and play opportunities are presented without gender bias and made available to all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

As a result, children have positive experiences when learning about the world around them. Children are sensitively supported to be kind to each other and to share. They respond well to the childminder who provides consistent boundaries for children. Children learn about right and wrong and to take responsibility for their own

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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 behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time, space and resources well. She reviews her practice regularly through a network scheme. She is keen to be up-to-date and to develop her practice, for example, the system for planning. Policies, procedures and other documentation are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Parents and others are kept well informed. Children are well cared for and they appear settled and content. 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 extend her written planning to include the evaluation of activities and to extend the written emergency evacuation procedures to include the overnight care of children. The childminder now writes a brief evaluation when planning activities for children. She now also uses the Birth to three matters framework to inform her of what children can do. As a result, the childminder has a clearer understanding of how individual activities have contributed to children's overall progress. The childminder has included within her written emergency evacuation a procedure in regard to children being minded overnight. As a result, children's safety is potentially more effectively promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • extend further the use of observation and assessment of what children can do, to plan suitable activities for children's next steps in development • develop further the system for the recording of complaints.

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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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