Childminder in Central BedfordshireOfsted inspection, 30 Nov 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306615 Inspection date 30 November 2005 Inspector Carol Mansell

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 13, 10 years and 14 months in Dunstable in Bedfordshire. Most of the ground floor, bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children part-time. The childminder drives to nursery to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have a dog, a guinea pig and a rabbit.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. She is aware of the immunisations given to the children at this time and is alert to any childhood illnesses which may be harmful to those without full cover. The childminder informs parents immediately if children are ill, protecting others from infection. The childminder has consents from parents for the administration of medication and maintains the accident and medication records. This ensures parents are kept informed of any incidents whilst children are in the care of the childminder. However, she does not have written consent on file to seek emergency treatment or advice and this could be detrimental to the children’s health and welfare. Children are well nourished and they enjoy the home cooked meals provided by the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder. She works with the parents to encourage children to have a healthy eating regime. Children independently access drinks regularly and they are beginning to understand why it is important for their health. Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They have access to plenty of fresh air as they enjoy regular walks in the local community and access local facilities. Children are encouraged to have a sleep when they become tired; they know that this helps them to be happier throughout the day especially if they have not slept well during the night. Children understand good health and hygiene practices. They are independent in their personal hygiene and receive appropriate support by the childminder if required. Children have their own flannels and toothbrushes and recognise the need to clean their teeth before going to nursery.

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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 clean and well maintained environment. They boldly move around the space available and help to protect younger children from harm by removing their shoes once inside the house. They understand that this is to ensure they do not cause harm and distress to the babies by standing on their fingers. The childminder provides the children with a wide variety of resources for different types of play and children have access to resources suitable for their ages. The older children are aware of the need to safeguard the well-being of the younger children and not give them access to the tiny toys that could go into their mouths and get stuck in their throats. Children benefit from a range of safety measures, for example, socket covers in place, padlock on the shed door, stairgate on the bottom of the stairs and electric

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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 cables being made inaccessible. The childminder has a risk assessment policy on file and shares this with the parents. Children help the childminder to check the outside space before going out to play. They enjoy visiting the local community and show a clear understanding of the need to take care when they are away from the home. They understand and use the road safety procedures and know this helps to keep them safe. Children use the crossing patrol, ‘lolly pop lady’, when leaving school and recognise that this is good practice. Children are kept safe on outings and learn how to keep themselves and others safe at all times. Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect as the childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow regarding any concerns. She has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

previous experience of dealing with the appropriate authorities and clearly understands her duty of care towards the children. The childminder has practiced the emergency evacuation procedures with the older children. Now that the younger children are settled in her care, she will extend the practise to include all children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the childminder’s home. They have formed good relationships that enable them to feel safe and secure. The children play well together and interact well with other members of the childminder’s family. They are all treated as part of the family. Children visit a number of local groups and are developing their social skills. They visit the library and enjoy running around on the Downs which are nearby. Children have access to the range of toys and resources that are suitable for their age and stage of development. They have opportunities to be involved in planned as well as child initiated play and activities. The childminder helps the children to look at the activity and offers them time, space and opportunities to review this to see if they could complete it a different way. The children are challenged and enjoy trying different ways of completing tasks and activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder liaises with the local nursery helping children acquire new skills and practice existing ones by introducing new and challenging activities. She also offers favourite activities to ensure children recognise that they have made great achievements. The childminder ensures she keeps the learning fun so the children learn quite happily and without distress. Children develop confidence and self-esteem. They show a great deal of interest in what they do and are happy acquiring new skills and knowledge. This ensures the children have their individual needs met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children can freely choose from a range of resources which helps to develop their independence skills. They have access to resources that reflect positive images of

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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 gender roles. Children enjoy playing with the finger puppets, which includes the three wise men as part of the nativity. However, access to resources which reflect diversity of culture and disabilities are limited and this hampers the children’s understanding of the wider community. Children work harmoniously together. The older children recognise why the boundaries differ for the very young children. All children are developing good self-esteem and respect for others. Children who require additional support from the childminder receive appropriate care which enables them to fully participate in the activities. Children are cared for by the childminder who works well with the parents to meet their individual needs. The childminder uses a link book as well as regular verbal

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Helping children make a positive contribution

feedback to ensure parents are fully informed of the activities their children have been involved in. She provides policies and procedures for the parents, helping them to understand how their children are cared for in a safe and nurturing environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and contented in the child-friendly environment. The space, resources, flexible routine and support offered by the childminder helps to encourage the children’s independence and overall development. The childminder ensures she positively supports the children’s care, learning and play by keeping her numbers low and by getting to know the personalities of her children well. Children are cared for by a childminder with knowledge and understanding of child development and who has completed the appropriate vetting procedures. The childminder has a comprehensive parents’ pack and shares her policies and procedures effectively with the parents to promote the welfare of their children. The childminder has implemented additional consents from parents with regards to the additional outings she takes the children on, particularly during the holiday periods. Most of the documentation is in place to provide an organised and safe environment

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Organisation

for children with the exception of consent from all parents to seek emergency treatment or advice. This may compromise the children’s well-being. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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): • obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • ensure children have access to a broad range of resources and activities which reflect diversity.

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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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