Childrens Support Centre, Tany's Dell

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 132869 Inspection date 24 April 2006 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 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 first registered in 1998 and is a qualified nursery nurse. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and Bath Abbey Childminding Network. On occasions her husband works as an assistant. The childminder, her husband and 3 children aged 6-years, 4-years and 4-months live in a 3 bedroom, semi-detached house in Keynsham. Minded children have access to all areas of the house. On the ground floor this includes the playroom, lounge/diner, kitchen and toilet facilities. Babies who require a sleep are placed in a travel cot in either the second or third bedroom. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder uses a local toddler group and park. The childminder is registered to care

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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 for a maximum of 3 children under 8-years and there are currently 7 children on roll, 2 of whom are under 5-years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment. They do not wear shoes indoors so that carpets and floors remain clean. Children learn the importance of hygiene through the daily routine. After a craft activity and before eating they wash their hands. It is made more fun as they use the frog soap dispenser. The provision of a small step and towels placed at child height facilitate independence. They know their towel as they recognise the Disney characters. Children are protected from illness and infection as the policy for excluding children who are sick is shared with parents. The childminder follows hygienic procedures, such as the provision of individual bedding, and when preparing food follows guidance given during her training on Basic Food Hygiene. Children receive appropriate care if they have an accident; the childminder is qualified in paediatric first aid, shares accident records with parents and has consent

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Helping children to be healthy

to seek medical advice or treatment in the event of an emergency. However, children's welfare is not always promoted with regard to medication. Although the childminder has consent to administer medication, parents do not always sign her records to acknowledge what medication has been given. In the summer children are protected from the sun as they have sun screen applied, wear sun hats and when in the garden, play in the shade of the gazebo. When out in the wet children are suitably clad in coats and wellies before they go splashing in the puddles. Children enjoy playing outside. They develop large muscle skills as they use the bikes and scooters. Physical skills are extended as they use equipment in the park and visit indoor play centres. When the weather is inclement children continue to develop large muscle skills as they play indoors with hoops and bean bags, and participate in action rhymes such as, 'Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes'. Babies do not become

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Helping children to be healthy

overtired as the childminder follows their home routine and they are able to sleep undisturbed in a slightly darkened bedroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Mealtimes are a social occasion when children talk about going to pre-school and the colour of their clothing. Children eat a light lunch and in the evening have healthy, home cooked meals, which take into consideration special dietary requirements. The menu is displayed for parents so that meals are not repeated at home. At snack time children choose what fruit they want to eat. Topic work has helped children to develop some understanding of what foods are healthy to eat and those which are less healthy. As children get older they check that they have eaten five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.

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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 Children relax in the bright, clean playroom. Colourful, alphabet cushions are carefully placed on the sofa. Bright posters and books reflecting the current topic are displayed around the room. Children have a large space in which to play as they move freely between all rooms on the ground floor. In the summer they can choose to play in or outdoors as the patio doors are left open. Furniture and activities are organised so that children have space to play undisturbed. Children help themselves to the clean, safe toys and books which are readily accessible within the playroom. They remain interested in the resources available as the childminder regularly makes new purchases. Children play in a safe, secure environment. The childminder is vigilant and use of suitable equipment, such as safety gates and fire guards, reduces the risk of children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

having an accident. Fire safety requirements are met and in the event of a fire, children know how to protect themselves as they practise the drill on a monthly basis. Children also know how to protect themselves on outings. They know that they must stay close to the childminder and if they become lost must speak to an official or a lady with a child. When crossing a road they hold onto the buggy and participation in events such as 'Beep, Beep Day' reinforces the importance of road safety. Children are further protected as the childminder has a good understanding of the local child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make good progress as the childminder has a clear understanding of each child's stage of development. Each term she plans a range of interesting, well researched, theme based activities, which encompass all areas of learning. For the current theme of mini-beasts, children will visit Bristol Zoo, go on a bug hunt in the garden with a pair of binoculars, dance to 'Flight of the Bumble Bee' and make ladybird puppets. Children use their imagination to create mini-beasts from a range of pre-formed shapes and play dough. They listen with enthusiasm, three times, to the story of 'There was an old woman who swallowed a fly'. Interest is maintained as children take turns placing the story sack animals into the old lady. They count five animals as they colour in pictures relating to the story. Fine muscle skills are developed as they use the mouse to operate a quite complex computer programme.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Good concentration is shown as they try to maintain the garden as they change between the spray, watering can and scissors, to water the plants, cut off the dead leaves and spray the bugs. Children relax and join in with the words to 'I Hear Thunder' and 'There's a Worm at the Bottom of my Garden'. On completing the programme, proud of their achievements they announce, "I've done it". Minded children are confident and talk about life at home. They enjoy the company of the childminder's children and are particularly interested in entertaining the baby by showing toys. Social skills are extended as children attend toddler groups twice a week.

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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 Babies and children new to the provision settle quickly as they get to know the childminder on visits made prior to the actual start date. Babies are secure as they have their comforter and the childminder follows their home routine. They are reassured and happy as the childminder meets their individual needs by monitoring their progress and working closely with parents. Parents comment positively about the provision. They are well informed about the childminder's practices as they have a copy of her policies and procedures and are updated via a newsletter on a monthly basis. Parents are verbally updated about their child's day and via a daily diary for babies. Children's progress records are shared on a monthly basis. Children make a positive contribution to society. Aware of the childminder's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

boundaries they are well behaved and able to take turns. Children show respect for their environment by helping to tidy up the toys when they have finished playing. They understand the importance of recycling through topic work. Children sorted recyclable materials, visited a recycling plant and looked at how items could be reused as they created items from papier-mâché. An understanding of the local community is developed as children visit the shops, library and toddler group. Children appreciate nature as they feed the ducks in the park and look at the life cycles of butterflies in the current theme of mini-beasts. As they play with readily accessible resources reflecting images of diversity they learn to positively appreciate difference. This is reinforced as they learn about the cultures of others as they acknowledge festivals such as the Diwali and the Chinese New Year.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. Keen to extend her practice she regularly attends training and since the last inspection has attended nine different courses ranging from 'Car Safety Awareness, to 'Gardening'. She regularly seeks the views of parents via a questionnaire. The childminder is well organised so that children have space for physical activity and for sleep. Children are actively occupied and their learning extended through effective planning. In the event of an emergency, children continue to receive appropriate care as suitable contingency arrangements are in place. Documentation is regularly reviewed, well organised and complies with the requirements of the National Standards so that children's health, safety and welfare are promoted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to meet one action and one recommendation. Children's welfare is now promoted as there is an accurate register. Although consent has been obtained from parents for all administered medicines, they do not sign to acknowledge details of medicine administered so children are not fully protected.

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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 There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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.

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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): • improve the procedure for administering medication by ensuring parents sign to acknowledge medication administered to their 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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