Childminder in DevonOfsted inspection, 30 Mar 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 104630 Inspection date 30 March 2006 Inspector Leoarna Mathias

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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 registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 5 and 7 in an extended bungalow in Kingsbridge. All parts of the house are used for minding, including the enclosed level garden. The childminder cares for 17 children at different times across the week, offering either day care or after school care as required. The childminder is able to support children with special educational needs and has a basic knowledge of British sign language. The childminder has previously worked in nursery settings, and holds an NNEB. She has informal links with the local childminding network.

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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's health is well promoted while they are in the care of the childminder. Children are encouraged to eat the healthy items in their lunch boxes, and the childminder works closely with the parents to encourage them to provide nutritious foods. Children are cared for in a hygienic and well maintained environment. The childminder also supports the development of the children's independence by encouraging hand washing and wiping, and by supporting families who are potty training their children. Children enjoy regular access to play that promotes their physical development, making, as they do, good use of the spacious home and garden of the childminder, as well as enjoying regular trips to local adventure parks. Finally, documentation that supports children's medical needs, such as accident books or consents for seeking advice and treatment, are in good order, and the childminder supports children with specific medical conditions, such as those needing

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children make good use of the childminder's spacious and well maintained home. They also access a very broad range of toys and resources that are in good order and effectively support their learning and development. The childminder does regular checks to ensure the safety of her home and garden, and closely supervises the children at all times. The childminder works with parents to ensure that they are fully aware of how children are transported and where they travel to, as well as keeping documentation relating to the vehicle used for transporting children up to date and accessible. Children are kept safe in emergencies as the childminder has a robust system of practising fire drills and has good alternative care systems in place should an event occur. Children's welfare in relation to child protection issues is generally well promoted, with only minor amendments to the childminder's procedure for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

dealing with an allegation of abuse against her own practice needed, to bring her policy fully in line with the National Standards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder brings her extensive knowledge of children's development to the planning of a pleasing and broad range of activities, ensuring that children are engaged and well supported as they play. Craft activities, cooking, imaginative play using dens and costumes, and visits to local places of interest all feature in her programme. Close and caring relationships exist between the children and the childminder, as they gravitate towards her for support, comfort or to show pride in their achievements; she maintains a calm and positive outlook at all times. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 has built longstanding relationships with the families of minded children, often caring for all siblings in one family, further enhancing the confidence and security children feel in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder understands the individual needs of the children in her care well, as she works closely with their families to ensure she is familiar with all aspects of their care. She encourages the children to be aware of and considerate towards each other, and has a range of resources that reflect difference and diversity in our society. She has completed training that enables her to support children with special educational needs, and has a good knowledge of British sign language. Children behave well in her care and respond appropriately to the boundaries she establishes. Parents access a prospectus file detailing her practice when registering, and the childminder then builds professional relationships with the parents of minded children, ensuring that there is a good flow of information between them. As a result, children enjoy high levels of continuity of care between home and the care of the

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy good levels of support for their care as the childminder is organised, both in the preparation of activities and of her home before they arrive, thus maximising the time she can spend directly with them. Documentation systems are in good order, and are organised to ensure the confidentiality of each family is maintained. The childminder is well trained, and has experience of working in group day care settings as well as minding. She is also an informal member of the local network, which further ensures her knowledge of childcare issues remains up to date. Finally, she has produced a range of policies which she shares with parents, and of these, only the complaints policy is in need of minor amendment to ensure it is fully inline with the National Standards.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that she was meeting the conditions of her registration at all times, and to increase her knowledge of local child protection procedures. She now ensures that the correct ratio of children to childminder are maintained at all times, and has improved her knowledge of local child protection agencies. Both of these improvements contribute to children enjoying a safer and more secure environment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop a procedure for dealing with an allegation of abuse against childminding practice that makes appropriate reference to the regulator • introduce a system for recording complaints received from parents, and ensure the record is accessible to parents.

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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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