Childminder in WiltshireOfsted inspection, 6 Dec 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 161522 Inspection date 06 December 2005 Inspector Paul Martin Kitchen

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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 2000. She lives with her husband in a house in Devizes, Wiltshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children under 5 all day and 1 child over 5 before and after school. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have 1 cat. The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children experience a clean and hygienic environment in which to learn and play. Floors and surfaces are cleaned every day and carpets vacuumed. Children enjoy physical play, fresh air and exercise either in the garden or on outside trips. They are taken out most days to the park, shops, to other childminders and places of interest. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices. They are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times such as after using the toilet. Younger children learn that their hands will be cleansed to remove germs that would make them ill. Children are protected in that the childminder has a good no smoking policy that forbids smoking in the children's presence. Children benefit from a diet that is healthy and nutritious. Freshly cooked food and drinks are provided including fruit, vegetables, crackers and home baked bread. Fresh drinking water or juice is available to parents requirements and children's

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Helping children to be healthy

preference. Parents have the flexibility to provide their own lunch boxes if they wish. The childminder knows each child's allergies and diet information from discussions with parents and the completed child record form. Birth to three matters are beginning to be used.

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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 warm and welcoming environment. There is sufficient space in a purpose built playroom which has been decorated in vibrant colours and children's art work. Outdoors there is a safe and secure garden where children can play safely. All areas of the house and garden are suitable. Children benefit from a broad range of toys and equipment which include construction materials, puzzles, ride on toys, dolls house, work bench, books, TV and video. All toys are accessible to young children being in crates on the floor. All toys and equipment are checked regularly by the childminder for safety and hygiene. Children are kept safe in the home, garden and on outings by a range of effective safety measures. There are socket covers, stair gates, fire guards, window locks, and the toilet has an external lock to prevent young children locking themselves in. Doors are kept locked back and front. Outside the garden has a secure perimeter fence,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and safe non toxic plants. Risk assessments are made and recommendations made for improvements. There is an effectual fire escape plan which has been practised. Children are kept safe on outings as they are taught practical road safety. Children are protected as the childminder clearly understands her role in child protection. She is knowledgeable about signs and indicators and is well informed about the correct procedures to follow should this be necessary.

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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 experience and enjoy a wide range of play and learning activities. For example, they enjoy craft work, painting, messy play, music and singing, and outside visits to other childminders, the library and places of interest. The childminder provides a simple daily structure of child led and adult led activities. This is divided by a mid morning and afternoon snack and a mid day lunch. Children develop confidence and self-esteem by being helped by the childminder to take on challenges in their play and learning. A favourite activity enjoyed by older children is that they can peruse the toy catalogue and produce a list of toys they would like to play with. This week, for example, a work bench has been purchased. Children begin to distinguish between right and wrong by understanding the house rules. For example, they must not pull decorations off the wall or touch areas of danger. Children make and maintain positive relationships with children and adults.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They learn to share toys and equipment. A good working relationship with parents ensures children's individual needs are continually met. At the end of a session children experience familiar life skills by being encouraged to tidy up and clear away toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about living in the diverse world as the childminder promotes equal opportunities, for example, explaining to children about people who are disabled and in a wheelchair. There are inspired images of other cultures, disability, older people and religions. There is a good range of appropriate toys and equipment available including dolls, books, puzzles and TV. All children are included and their needs met from a close working relationship with parents. The childminder has a positive attitude to special needs. She can work closely with parents and advisors to formulate a suitable care plan that meets the needs of children. She is willing to adapt her home if necessary. The childminder can effectively manage a wide range of behaviour. Praise and encouragement is used at all times, for example stickers, are used to reward good behaviour, and negative behaviour is ignored. Children understand responsible

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour by being kind to adults, animals and each other. The childminder works well in partnership with parents, with a high level of information exchanged. She uses daily diaries to keep parents informed of children's daily routines. These are sent home with the child at the end of the day for parents to read and complete.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are totally at ease in a very well organised environment. They are

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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 confident to seek support from the childminder and to express their needs and choose toys for themselves. All persons in the household are appropriately vetted and suitable and the childminder is qualified. Children are protected from person's who are not vetted in that the childminder never leaves a child unsupervised. Children benefit from adult/child ratios maintained to the correct level. Policies and procedures are comprehensive and are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. Most records and documents are correct. The childminder shows a strong commitment to improvement and development, for example, she regularly attends training opportunities in her locality. She regularly

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Organisation

reflects on the care she provides, reviews her resources and plans activities that take good account of what children can do and what they need to learn next. 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 ensure that children have access to resources which reflect positive images of disability. The childminder now has a range of resources including toys and books which shows disability in a positive way.

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

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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): • develop the Birth to three matters framework

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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 • develop and maintain the complaints procedure

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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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