Henry, Diana Joy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY249331 Inspection date 16 December 2005 Inspector Nikki Whinton

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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. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 13, 11 and 6 years, in a village location near Warminster, Wiltshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding eight children on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group. The family has two rabbits.

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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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about healthy eating through the good range of balanced, nutritious snacks they enjoy whilst in the childminder's care. Individual preferences and allergies are discussed with parents prior to commencing in the setting, recorded and accommodated. Children are able to freely access drinks in sufficient quantities to satisfy their differing requirements. Children's individual dietary needs are successfully met. Children play and rest within an environment that is clean and well maintained. They are effectively developing their awareness of good health practices through the childminder's careful attention to good hygiene routines, such as after toileting or touching the family's rabbits. Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of first aid and the correct administrative procedures to be followed if accidents occur or children require medication. Children lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the childminder's care. They have regular

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Helping children to be healthy

opportunities for fresh air and exercise whilst playing in the provision's garden. In addition, children have frequent chances to develop their physical skills during visits to soft play centres or when visiting local attractions, such as Longleat, Heaven's Gate and Shearwater.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play within a secure, welcoming environment. Their welfare is supported by the childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues. Children are starting to share responsibility for their own wellbeing through activities such as taking part in emergency evacuation drills. They benefit from the childminder having taken some positive steps to promote children's safety. For example, the garden is secure, smoke alarms are maintained in working order and hazardous substances are inaccessible to children. However, socket covers are not fitted to all exposed electric points and building materials are accessible to children in the garden. As a result, children's safety may be at risk. Resources are organised effectively to enable children to access them independently, with those not suitable for younger children being stored on high shelves. Such free choice opportunities help children develop their independence

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and self-assurance. Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of safety issues regarding the purchase and maintenance of equipment. As a result, children are able to play with clean, well maintained, age-appropriate resources that are safe and suitable.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and appear totally at home within the provision. They freely make decisions for themselves regarding the activities and resources they want to explore. For example, a child decides to play with a small world kitchen, before moving on to build towers with construction materials. Children are stimulated and consistently well occupied. Their development is enhanced by the active involvement of the childminder, such as when completing puzzles or sharing a book. They take part in a wide ranging programme of practical structured and free choice activities, such as growing sunflowers, craft and role-play, that are age-appropriate and help to support their development. Children have a genuinely warm, positive relationship with the childminder, which supports their developing confidence and sense of belonging. They take part in an interesting range of outings, such as to the library, Warminster Town Park and the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

local carer and toddler group, which help them increase their awareness of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and acknowledged as individuals, which has a positive impact on their confidence and feelings of self-worth. They benefit from the childminder knowing them well and having a good knowledge of their differing needs. Children increase their awareness of diversity by accessing an appropriate range of resources, such as musical instruments, dolls, books and puzzles. Children behave well. Their positive behaviour is supported by the childminder's understanding of effective strategies to encourage appropriate behaviour and her awareness of the importance of working with parents to ensure there is a consistent approach to behaviour management. Children are starting to learn social skills and develop their awareness of right and wrong whilst in the childminder's care. Children benefit from the good partnership that exists between parents and the childminder. All parents are given diaries detailing their child's day. In addition, there

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are regular, informal opportunities to discuss children's progress and achievements. This helps to ensure a consistent approach to children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has undertaken required training. She has a professional approach to her work and invites parents to complete a yearly questionnaire on the quality of her care, to support her in the development of her provision. She is well organised. For example, the storage of toys with small pieces away, 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 young children and the use of a separate room to enable children to have uninterrupted sleep. However, she does not currently have a procedure for advising parents of her child protection responsibilities. All legally required documentation that contributes to children's safety and well-being is securely stored and carefully maintained. This helps ensure accurate personal records are easily accessible to support children's care, such as in the event of an emergency. However, the daily register of attendance is not kept up to date. As a result, a true record is not always available of when a child is actually in the childminder's care. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection, the childminder was given two recommendations to help develop the quality of the provision. These referred to encouraging children to be creative through activities such as making simple instruments and ensuring children have access to resources reflecting positive images of disability. Children have frequent opportunities to take part in creative activities such as painting or craft and freely explore a varied range of musical instruments. Suitable resources are available to children reflecting positive images of diversity. These improvements have had a positive impact on the quality of care offered to the children.

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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 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure building materials in the garden and exposed electric points do not pose a hazard to children • ensure the daily register of children's attendance is kept up to date and parents are advised about child protection policies and procedures.

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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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