Childminder in Bedford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY225471 Inspection date 12 January 2006 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 one child aged 7 years, in a village near Bedford and Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. The whole of the 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 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 1 child under 5 during the day on a part-time basis, 2 children over 5 after school and 1 child during the school holidays on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to collect children. The family has 4

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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 dogs. The childminder supports children with special educational needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a comfortable, clean home. Their health and physical development are consistently promoted because the childminder has good procedures and practices which meet their physical, dietary and health needs. They receive clear support and guidance from the childminder and understand the relevance of hygiene practices such as washing their hands before eating and covering their mouths when coughing. Children's dietary needs are clearly recorded and they are offered healthy and nutritious snacks and meals which adhere to their special diets. They are learning about the relevance of a healthy diet through discussions and through activities such as making fresh fruit 'smoothies'. Children have opportunities to explore and develop physical control through a wide range of activities and experiences. They have regular opportunities for walks and outdoor play, visiting the local park where they have space to run and play games

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Helping children to be healthy

and also use the static play equipment. They enjoy playing in the garden, where they use ride-on toys, the climbing frame and smaller equipment such as balls and skipping ropes. When playing in the house, the childminder is vigilant and ensures that children have space and resources for physical play, such as tunnels, resources to make tents, and games which encourage skills such as balance and co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe environment. The childminder prioritises their safety. She has thought about risks and taken steps to minimise these, using information gained from attending additional training, such as fire safety training, to support this area. Children have space to play and are able to feel at home and valued because of the thoughtful touches added by the childminder. An example of this is the provision of a large curtain across the play room so that children can imagine they are at the theatre and put on 'productions' for the childminder. Children are cared for using safe, appropriate equipment. They are able to select their own activities from a wide range of clean, good quality toys and equipment. The childminder ensures that their choice of toys and activities is safe and appropriate but also allows them sufficient freedom to explore and make decisions about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection and has all the required documents in place. She ensures that she has emergency contact details readily available and has all relevant

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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 information regarding child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled, enjoying their play and happily choosing activities and resources. They have built up very good relationships with the childminder who joins in enthusiastically with their play and shows them that she genuinely enjoys their company. Children's learning and development is enhanced through the childminder's skill in using everyday activities as learning opportunities, for example, children learn about balance, turn-taking, colour and word recognition whilst playing a simple floor game. The childminder also makes very good use of open questions and gentle suggestions, encouraging children to think further and extend their play. Children enjoy a varied, stimulating range of activities including imaginative play, crafts, cooking, music, outdoor play and reading. Their overall development is promoted and they are encouraged to explore and extend their knowledge because

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder has a good understanding of child development. This enables her to consider and plan a broad range of activities. Children's individual needs and interests are also sensitively considered by the childminder and she is able to ensure that activities are appropriate to individual children, giving lots of support and encouragement whenever needed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to feel valued and respected because the childminder ensures that she is aware of their individual needs and she is able to meet these consistently. Children's behaviour is good and they are confident within the childminder's home. They are set consistent boundaries and are always given clear explanations by the childminder, enabling them to think about their behaviour and start to take responsibility for themselves. This area is further enhanced by the additional training which the childminder has attended and the practical implementation of this on a daily basis, for example, children are purposefully occupied and good behaviour is noticed and re-enforced. Children who have special needs are consistently offered appropriate care. Their needs are documented and clearly understood by the childminder, who works closely with parents to ensure that she is able to take steps to promote the children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

development in all areas. Activities and resources are thoughtfully adapted by the childminder to ensure that children are able to participate, for example, large pegs are attached to paint brushes so that children are able to hold these and paint. The childminder has also attended additional training to enable her to communicate effectively with children and to meet specific individual requirements. Children's knowledge and understanding of other cultures and ways of life is very well promoted. The childminder provides a range of resources and activities to increase their understanding of this, for example, children learn about different foods and

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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 traditions as they cook and eat a range of traditional dishes from other countries.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the needs of all children are met. They are able to feel comfortable and relaxed, knowing that their needs will be met because the childminder organises her work well. The varying requirements of all children are well met by the childminder who adapts routines and activity plans to accommodate these. Good use is made of available space in the house so that children are offered varying activities and play opportunities, for example, they are able to build tents, invent imaginary games and scenarios and use the floor space in the conservatory for larger games. Children are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning, knowing that the childminder will always have time to support them. The children's overall development is promoted because the childminder pays attention to detail in the planning and organising of her daily work. This ensures that children are always

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Organisation

offered a wide range of stimulating activities and that all are able to participate. The children's safety and welfare are promoted as the childminder has all relevant paperwork in place. However, she does not currently have an easily accessible record of the exact times of children's arrival and departure, which could compromise relationships with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop systems to record children's activities and to develop ways of working with parents to inform them of these activities and of policies and procedures. The childminder now ensures that she has plenty of time to talk with parents, for example discussing behaviour management and how this will be handled consistently. She also seeks regular feedback from parents and ensures that children take home any work which they have completed so that parents are informed of activities. The childminder was also asked to provide a fire blanket and has done so, ensuring that this is readily available in the kitchen and thus further promoting children's safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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

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 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): • ensure that an accessible record is kept of children's attendance, including the times of arrival and departure of each child.

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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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