Childminder in DevonOfsted inspection, 9 Aug 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 104317 Inspection date 09 August 2005 Inspector Rachael Williams

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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 has been registered since 1988. She lives with her husband and three children in a modern semi-detached house in Honiton, Devon. The ground floor of the premises are predominantly used for minding. Children use the first floor toilet facilities and a bedroom for sleeping and occasional play. Minded children have access to a fully enclosed garden. The premises are within easy walking distance of local amenities, including the park and nearby schools. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years and at present has four children on roll.

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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 family have two dogs, a cat and several fish. The childminder is co-ordinator of the local childminding group and receives additional support from the National Childminding Association and the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. Children are confident and happy as good relationships have been established. This enables children to explore and play freely in a hygienic and friendly environment. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their wellbeing. There are regular opportunities for children to be involved in outdoor activities, such as walking to the park, which helps younger children to successfully develop control of their bodies and to develop new skills. Children are well protected from the spread of infection through effective hygienic practices, such as appropriate hand washing. They understand the importance of hygiene with the family's pets and the younger children are protected from germs by not eating, sleeping or playing in the same room as them. Children remain healthy through the childminder's good knowledge of first aid and appropriate recording of

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Helping children to be healthy

accidents and administered medication. Children benefit from drinks being provided regularly. For example, the childminder is aware that a child in her care is reluctant to drink and ensures, during the hot weather, he is reminded to have a drink. The childminder has good knowledge of children's special dietary needs and the preferences of the parents. However, although she takes heed of the information verbally provided it is not appropriately recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for and kept safe in a spacious, clean environment where risks are identified and minimised effectively through the use of a daily checklist. The childminder closely supervises children's play to ensure their safety. They choose from a wide range of clean, easily accessible and appropriate resources stored in a dedicated playroom. Younger children are protected well by the childminder's awareness of potential hazards, such as smaller toys which are stored appropriately when younger children are minded. The childminder ensures older children are aware of potential hazards, offering them clear explanations as to why bikes need to be ridden on the paved area rather than down a grassy slope. The childminder has good knowledge of fire safety and has devised a clear fire evacuation plan. However, older children do not gain an awareness of evacuation

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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 procedures as they have not been sufficiently practised. Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's good knowledge of child protection issues. Effective emergency procedures are in place to ensure children's safety. For example, an emergency contact list has been established with contingency arrangements for local childminders.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, happy and confident in the childminder's home, especially in the dedicated playroom. They make decisions about their play accessing appropriate resources independently. The childminder has good knowledge of the children's needs and uses this to stimulate their learning through effective interaction. Children are challenged thoroughly through appropriate questioning to extend their thought processes and language development. For example, a two-year-old is asked to think about where the trees can be placed so that the train does not knock them down when moving along the track. Children enjoy a wide variety of experiences, both indoors and outdoors, to promote new skills such as threading buttons. However, children are not readily involved in 'messy' activities which promote their creative and imaginative skills. The childminder is further developing her knowledge of children under three by attending a relevant

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

course later in the year. Children's achievements and progression are effectively recorded through the use of photographs which are shared daily with their parents. Children's self-esteem and confidence is extended through consistent praise for their achievements and participation in the range of challenging activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs and parents wishes are supported well. Children are valued and respected as individuals through the childminder's good knowledge of these needs. Children receive positive support from the childminder who liaises closely with parents. She is meticulous at meeting parents requests for example, parents preferences for eating habits. Effective strategies are used to manage behaviour, such as clear explanations and knowledge of boundaries, to ensure children have a consistent approach to behaviour management. Incidents, such as biting, are efficiently recorded and shared with parents to ensure continuity in care. Children thrive from the close and caring relationship with the childminder which helps children to feel secure and valued in the warm and welcoming environment. Children have good self-esteem through consistent praise and encouragement. Children's social skills are developed through regular meetings with other

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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 childminder's in the area.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good quality care in a well organised environment from an experienced childminder. Space, resources and the local environment are used effectively to provide children with a wide variety of stimulating play opportunities. The childminder ensures children are well cared for through constantly updating her knowledge and minding practices for example, Birth to three matters training. The childminder organises her time effectively to ensure children have plenty of individual attention to provide for their stage of development. For example, whilst younger children are sleeping the childminder will sit with the older children and involve them in more structured games. The childminder has all the required documentation to underpin her good practice, including a term time rota to ensure the children are well supervised and ratios are maintained. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care

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Organisation

and learning of all children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder had recommendations relating to child protection, documentation and safety. All recommendations have been sufficiently addressed. The childminder has been proactive in extending her knowledge of child protection issues. She has attended a relevant course and has good understanding of the signs to look for if abuse is suspected and the procedures to follow. She is aware of maintaining confidentiality and informing Ofsted of any allegations. The childminder has purchased appropriate documentation to record medication, accidents and incidents to share with parents. The childminder has developed good procedures to ensure children are safe whilst in her care. The front door remains locked during minding hours and keys are easily accessible in an emergency. The garden is fully enclosed and children are unable to leave them unsupervised. Appropriate locks have been fitted to kitchen cupboards to

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Improvements since the last inspection

ensure children cannot access dangerous substances.

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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): • ensure information obtained from parents about special dietary needs, preferences and food allergies are recorded • improve fire safety procedures through practising the emergency escape plan with minded children

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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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