Childminder in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302713 Inspection date 15 December 2005 Inspector Kay Roberts

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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 satisfactory. 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 first registered in 2005 and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She lives with her husband and two children aged 7 and 10-years, in a three bedroom mid-terrace property in Yate, South Gloucestershire. The home is close to Kingsgate Park. Minded children play in the lounge/diner but have access to other areas of the home. Bathroom facilities are located on the first floor. The main bedroom is available for babies who need to sleep. The back garden is usually available for outdoor play, but is currently out of bounds.

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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 Registration is for a maximum of four children under 8-years and currently there are three children on roll, one of whom is under 5-years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment. The risk of children becoming ill is minimised through the childminder's effective procedures and sharing the sickness policy for excluding children who are ill with parents. It is evident that children know the importance of hygiene as the posters created to request that the toilet be flushed after use and hands washed includes pictures of the germs. The importance of hygiene is reiterated by sharing stories such as 'Wash Your Hands'. When a placement commences children are asked what colour and picture they would like on their flannel and towel. Children's welfare is further promoted as the childminder follows appropriate procedures for managing medication and accidents In the summer children play in the garden, but do not get burnt as the childminder applies sun screen and organises activities and picnics under the gazebo. Children are appropriately dressed for the winter months and the childminder keeps a supply

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Helping children to be healthy

of coats, hats, gloves and wellington boots in case they are required. Large muscle skills are developed as they use the slide, tunnel, bikes and balls. At present the garden is not suitable for play so children go on daily visits to the park, where they play games running across from one tree to another. If the weather is not suitable to play outdoors, children continue to develop large muscle skills as they follow the music and movement tapes. Babies are encouraged to practise standing by placing their favourite toys on top of low level boxes, rather than in front of them. Children eat healthy snacks of fruit and learn the importance of healthy eating. The importance of healthy eating is reinforced through fun activities such as 'Five a Day', when children are rewarded with a sticker if they eat five fruit and vegetables in a day. They are also able to build up the list of what fruit and vegetables they have

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Helping children to be healthy

eaten using small cards. Children's dietary requirements are met as parents provide packed lunches. However, the childminder discusses with parents the importance of introducing young children to new textures and tastes. Babies feel secure as they are cuddled whilst they have a bottle of milk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are proud that some of their art work is displayed in hall. They feel welcome as a room full of toys awaits them as they enter the premises. Children remain interested as they are able to help themselves to an extensive range of clean, safe toys from the large boxes. Toys are arranged on the floor for young babies. Resources are further extended as the childminder obtains story sacks from the local library. However, the number of toys and organisation of the room limits the amount

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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 of space available for play. Children play in a safe, secure home environment where the risk of accidental injury is minimised through the childminder's close supervision. Appropriate equipment such as safety gates provides additional safeguards. The garden is currently not in use as children can no longer be kept secure. The fences have been removed in preparation for a brick wall. Children learn to protect themselves. They know how to evacuate the premises in the event of a fire as they practise the fire drill on a monthly basis. Children understand that when out with the childminder they must never run into the road, but hold hands with the childminder. They watch a road safety tape with the childminder which is then followed up with discussion. Children are further

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protected as the childminder is aware of local child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel secure as they are offered a lot of individual attention and cuddles. When children are tired the childminder rocks them to sleep in her arms as she gently strokes their back. The childminder sits on the floor and plays with children to keep them interested. She follows through on their interests, for example knowing one child is interested in music, she showed the child how he could make an electronic toy play different tunes. Aware that another child is particularly interested in trains, the childminder ensures they are always available when he is present. She extends his play by asking where the train may go if it went off the track in a specific direction. This encourages him to play with other resources such as the kitchen. As the childminder shares a book with clear pictures, minded children snuggle up as she talks about the pictures and compares a cat in one picture to the pet a minded child

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

has at home. Although there are planned activities for school age children, the childminder does not plan for younger children, but follows their lead. The childminder has recently managed to obtain a copy of Birth to three matters and once she has completed training plans to use this information as a basis for monitoring children's progress and organising activities. In the new year she is also hoping to extend children's social skills by joining a toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children new to the childminder settle quickly as they visit in advance of the placement, bring a favourite blanket or toy from home and the childminder follows their home routine. Each child feels special as the childminder meets their individual needs and displays their art work. Children's special needs are met through discussion with parents, the childminder's clear understanding the individual child and adapting activities accordingly. The positive relationship with parents helps children to feel secure. Parents are informed of practices via a prospectus which includes policies and procedures. The two-way diary for young children and daily

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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 discussion keeps parents abreast of their child's day. Children are well behaved as they strive to gain praise for wanted behaviour. The childminder adopts a proactive approach by diffusing potential conflict before it arises, such as introducing a timer to show children when they must let a peer have a turn on the computer. Opportunities to learn about the local community are currently limited to visits to the local park, although the childminder plans to address this in the near future. Children are encouraged to see difference in a positive light as they colour in pictures for cultural and religious festivals such as Diwali, and look at books reflecting positive images of our diverse society.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. She is appropriately qualified and has previous experience of working with children. The childminder is keen to extend her practice and has attended a number of training courses such as 'Rainy Day Activities' and 'Information Sharing and Assessment'. She is clearly able to identify where improvements can be made, such as planning for younger children, and has been proactive in obtaining a copy of Birth to three matters. Minded children are actively occupied as the childminder plays with them and offers a lot of one-to-one support. Up to date documentation is confidentially maintained and where appropriate shared with parents. However, the childminder has yet to develop a system for managing complaints.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure the garden secure prior to use by minded children • give further consideration to organisation of the lounge/diner so that more space is available for play • continue to develop practice regarding care of younger children, for example by using the Birth to three matters framework • develop a procedure for managing 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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