Home Childcarer in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 161876 Inspection date 18 January 2006 Inspector Rosemary Davies

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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 1992. She lives with her three children aged 16, 11 and 9 years in a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Shops, parks, sports facilities and other town amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder can take children to, and collect them from, local schools and playgroups. The family keeps two cats as pets and has an outdoor aviary. Minded children use all rooms of the house, although in practice the upstairs is used for sleeping purposes and bathroom facilities only. They use a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding

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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 Association. Her registration permits her to care for six children under the age of eight years at any one time. Currently, she minds three children each aged under four years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health and physical well being receives appropriate attention from this childminder. Children use a clean home environment. The childminder pays particularly good attention to preventing the possible spread of infection. She provides children with individual face cloths, hand-towels, bibs and crockery, all of which are colour-coded, one colour for each child, so they do not share such items. She makes parents fully aware that they must keep their children at home should they have an infectious illness. The childminder remains alert to hygiene hazards when out, ensuring that children avoid any unpleasant mess on pavements. The childminder places emphasis on children taking fresh-air and exercise. Although she keeps a vehicle, she prefers to walk when taking minded children to either toddler or playgroups. This provides children with regular exercise. They develop

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Helping children to be healthy

their physical skills on visits to the nearby park; children state they enjoy "running fast" and using the swings and climbing frame. Children drink often and according to their needs. The childminder does not do all she might, however, to encourage them to drink water. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals provided by the childminder. She follows parents' wishes about their children's diet, such as 'no sweets'. Children eat fresh fruit daily, knowing this is good for them - and why. Children benefit from the childminder's interest in gardening as they may eat fresh, seasonal produce.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely because the childminder understands the purpose of risk assessment. She identifies potential threats to children's safety inside her home, in her back garden and when out in the locality. She does all she can to minimise these. Indoors, for example, she places two guards around an open fire to make it inaccessible to children. She takes other sensible fire precautions but she does not make sure she practises the emergency evacuation procedure with all minded children. This means that some may not know what to expect should a smoke alarm sound. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. They use the handrail when going up and down stairs to the bathroom. They know that a fire can harm them because "it's hot". The childminder helps them learn about road safety. Children know they walk on the 'inside' on journeys to and from playgroup, holding either the childminder's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

hand or the pushchair. Younger children ride safely strapped in.

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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 The childminder undertakes training herself to safeguard children's welfare further. She holds a current suitable first aid certificate and is fully conversant with child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in this childminder's home. She provides a wide range of experiences and toys which help children's development. Children choose what they wish to play with, making their own decisions about what to do and for how long. The childminder gives minded children her full attention, joining in their play if they wish. They play board games together, in which children show they know how to take turns. The childminder offers activities suited to the children's age and stage of development. She helps children progress by posing questions as they play. This helps them get to know different shapes such as 'diamonds' and 'triangles'. Children's conversation skills develop well because the childminder encourages them to talk to her. They converse confidently about their playgroup morning. They talk about the songs they have sung and what they have eaten for snack. They discuss

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

what they see on their way back to the childminder's home. The childminder draws children's attention to such things as door numbers and emerging shoots of spring bulbs. This all helps in extending children's vocabularies, their knowledge of early number and the world around them. The childminder makes good provision for children's imaginative and creative development. They enjoy dressing up, singing and drawing. Toddlers learn to socialise as the childminder takes them to mix with other young children in the community. They visit toddler groups weekly, meeting with other childminders and their minded children. She ensures children receive daily care according to their individual needs, offering a good balance of exercise and rest, regular meal times and provision for naps, if required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show themselves to be happy in this childminder's care. They enjoy relaxed, friendly relationships with her. They become familiar with routines and 'house rules', such as taking meals at the dining table. The childminder applies these consistently. Children know the childminder values what they do. They hear their achievements praised. They are praised too when doing as they are asked, such as walking sensibly along the pavement. This helps children's confidence and contributes towards children behaving very well. Good verbal communication underpins a positive relationship with parents. Parents learn about the childminder's practices during an initial interview. She shares her written policies with them but does not provide individual copies that parents may read at home. The childminder finds out all she can about children's individual needs

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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 and any special requirements, so she may care for them appropriately. Daily conversations keep parents informed about what their children do. Children learn about their local community when on walks. They use a good range of resources that reflect the diversity of the wider world, when in the childminder's home. Good quality books show pictures of people from different countries which the childminder discusses with the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's ability to organise her home, time and paperwork effectively for childminding purposes. This forms the basis of the good service she provides. Children understand what is expected of them and the established routines. They make progress owing to the range of experiences she offers. The childminder shows commitment to her work. She keeps up to date through taking regular training. This helps her provide different activities for the children and helps keep them safe. The childminder keeps abreast of new legislation. She knows what to do should a parent make a complaint. She keeps all required documentation securely, confidentially and ready for inspection. She knows her responsibilities for safeguarding children and keeps the regulatory authority, (Ofsted) informed about changes to her personal circumstances. She abides by the conditions of her

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Organisation

registration and displays the registration certificate prominently for parents to see. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection, the childminder was required to improve her practice through three recommendations. She was asked to improve her documentation with regard to obtaining written permission from parents for the administering of medication; to keep a record of significant incidents; and to obtain up to date contact details for the local Area Child Protection Committee. She has addressed each recommendation with the result that children's welfare is more fully safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1st April 2004, there has been one complaint made against this childminder in relation to Standard 6 - Safety, that children's play had not always been adequately supervised. The complaint was investigated fully by Ofsted and as a result the childminder remains registered.

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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 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 all minded children participate in practising the emergency evacuation procedure • encourage children to drink water regularly

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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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