Queensway

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 145494 Inspection date 25 January 2006 Inspector Penny Wood

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 18, 16 and 14 in Durrington, Wiltshire. The whole of the home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children between the ages of 10 months and 10 years old. She offers before and after school care and minds children on a part-time basis. The childminder is able to walk children to and from local schools and pre-schools.

p.2

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 She attends a toddler group and visits local shops, parks and the library with the children. The childminder supports children with special needs.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have appropriate facilities to allow them to rest quietly and opportunities to be physically active. They enjoy daily outside play, where they are able to enjoy physical exercise, fresh air and develop their physical skills such as running and climbing. Appropriate measures such as the use of sun creams and hats during the summer months; protect children’s health from the effects of the sun. Children practice appropriate hygiene routines during the course of the day, which most of the time reduce the spread of germs. However, they do not always wash their hands after playing outside. The childminder practices suitable hygiene routines, which reduce the risk of cross infection of illnesses. For example, she uses disinfectant when cleaning spills of body fluids. The sickness policy protects children’s health by also limiting the spread of infections. For example, children are

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

discouraged from attending within twenty-four hours of being sick or having diarrhoea. In the event a child falls ill whilst in her care, the childminder offers sympathetic care until their parents arrive. Parents receive information on the childminder’s policy to ensure all parties are aware of her practice. Documentation to record accidents and the administration of medication are in place. However, they do not promote confidentiality and in cases, sufficient detail of the care provided. Children have access to drinks throughout the day ensuring they do not go thirsty. They enjoy a range of snacks including fruit and raisins, encouraging them to eat healthily. Main meals provided by parents are stored appropriately ensuring they remain fresh for children to eat. Records of allergies ensure the childminder only provides snacks that are suitable for children’s individual dietary needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enter an environment that is clean, warm and welcoming. They enjoy a good range of toys, which are easily accessible and in good condition. When playing, children are learning how to protect themselves from harm. For example, the childminder reminds children to sit on chairs when at the table to ensure they do not fall and harm themselves. The childminder has taken good steps to ensure the home environment is safe for children. However, the premises are not always secure, providing children with opportunities to leave unaccompanied. The garden is a safe area for children to play, offering patio and grassed areas for a variety of activities and play opportunities. Safety measures in place ensure children do not access inappropriate equipment such as ladders and building materials.

p.3

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 benefit from the good strategies in place to ensure they remain safe when away from the home. The childminder offers high levels of supervision when playing within the home, in the garden and on outings, ensuring their safety in a variety of environments. Children’s welfare benefits from the childminder’s good strategies and procedures in place with regard to child protection issues. Information given to parents regarding her practice informs them of her role and responsibilities.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and secure in the childminder’s care. They enjoy a wide range of toys and activities, which are age and developmentally appropriate. The childminder rotates the range of toys available each day to ensure children enjoy variety. They are able to choose their activities, ensuring they are interested and enjoy their play. Children receive support from the childminder and enjoy the praise and encouragement she gives them, boosting their confidence & self-esteem. For example, the childminder sits with younger children when playing with dough, enabling them to take part and feel secure. Children are confident to ask for help when required which the childminder is happy to give. Older children work well independently and see to their own needs when choosing tools and equipment. Children who are unsettled or tired receive comfort and reassurance, resulting in the

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

child enjoying cuddles, attention and returning to being happy. Children enjoy outings within the local area, which encourage them to become aware of the world around them. Visits to toddler groups allow children to mix with their peer group and develop their social skills. Children are developing their language skills. They talk freely with each other and the childminder. They ask and answer questions about their play and are confident in naming everyday shapes and colours. The childminder responds well to the youngest members of the group when using their emerging skills and encourages them to communicate. Very young children who are developing their physical skills and beginning to walk receive support from the childminder. They use the furniture to cruise around the room, boosting their confidence in their abilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from one-to-one attention from the childminder who shares her time well between children, offering support where required. Activities, which are suitably adapted, allow all children to take part. The childminder has a caring approach to ensure all children, including those with special needs, are included and valued as individuals. Resources available to children that depict positive images of culture and disability encourage children to be aware of diversity. Children benefit from strong relationships between the childminder and their parents.

p.4

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 Information is shared between both parties to ensure the childminder has the knowledge she requires to be able to provide suitable care for their individual needs and parents receive an insight into their child’s day. Parents receive copies of all policies and procedures, which inform them of the childminder’s practice, role and responsibilities. Children behave well because of the childminder’s strategies in place to manage their behaviour. They say please and thank you, politely ask for the activities of their choice and willingly tidy away when the activity has finished. Children are beginning to share and take turns and receive support to encourage them to do so. The behaviour management policy in place reflects the childminder’s practice. For example, she is positive with children throughout the day offering praise and

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

encouragement. Children are busy and distraction techniques diffuse any situations before they arise.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has ten years experience in caring for children. During that time, she has increased her knowledge through regular meetings with a support worker, other childminders and through attending workshops on topics such as child protection, behaviour management and providing creative activities. Whilst minding a range of children of different ages, the childminder adapts activities to ensure all can take part. At all times, she is conscious of maintaining the correct ratios and abiding by her conditions of registration. Records in place are stored securely, available for inspection and updated when necessary to ensure they reflect accurate details. All regulatory documentation is in place. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved her practice. She requests parents to acknowledge written entries of accidents that occur whilst in her care; ensuring parents are informed of incidents as they occur. However, this is an area for ongoing improvement.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 health records maintain confidentiality and appropriate details are recorded • ensure the premises remain secure at all times

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6