Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY232932 Inspection date 12 January 2006 Inspector Elaine Douglas

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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 2002, she lives with her husband and two children aged five and seven years. They live in a terraced house, on the northern outskirts of Wellington within walking distance of all the town's facilities. These include a play park, pre-schools and a primary school. The whole of the downstairs and one upstairs bedroom are available for minding. There is a large enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two cats. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She is a member of

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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 National Childminding Association and of a local informal network of childminders. The childminder collects children from Wellesley Park School and cares for them after school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The children benefit from excellent health and hygiene procedures carried out by the childminder. They are cared for in clean premises, which are extremely well heated and ventilated. Children develop very good daily routines for themselves which significantly contributes to their understanding of practices which keep them healthy. The toddler indicates he needs to go to the bathroom to wash his hands prior to eating. Children are provided with excellent resources to prevent cross contamination such as soap and individual towels and flannels. Babies are protected by the childminder's very high standards of hygiene when changing nappies and by providing clean, individual bedding for them to sleep on. Children's health is well protected by the childminder holding a current first aid qualification and the provision of a well-stocked, hygienically maintained first aid box. Robust systems and documentation ensure children are protected from illness and

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Helping children to be healthy

receive correct medication when required. The children's health is promoted through very frequent opportunities to enjoy a range of physical activities. These include regular walk's and use of the local soft play centre; as well as the childminder organising activities both inside and outside. For example, the toddler takes part in a music and movement session, while older children have use of a large trampoline in the garden. The children's health is significantly enhanced by the provision of healthy snacks and fresh drinking water. The childminder discusses nutrition with parents who provide their children's meals and asks them to provide fruit for their snacks. Very well documented information ensures children's dietary needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are kept safe through effective supervision, they are able to safely access a good range of resources which are appropriate to their stages of development. Children are able to sleep and play in a safe environment through the provision of appropriate equipment, for example a cot, booster chair and stairgates. The children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised and effective procedures ensure they only leave with an appropriate adult. Children are transported safely with their parents permission. Children are generally safe in the garden; small fences are used to separate the areas and equipment, according to the children's developmental stages. For example, the large trampoline is only accessed by the older children; a safety net and the childminders direct supervision helps to keep children safe.

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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 However, not all children are protected as the risk assessment has not been discussed with parents or their permission sought. Effective equipment and procedures are in place to keep children safe in an emergency. However, older children have not gained an understanding of how to assist with their own safety, as the emergency evacuation procedures are not practised. The children's welfare is sufficiently safeguarded by the childminders sound knowledge of child protection issues; how to record concerns, keep confidentiality and report when necessary. She has relevant documentation for guidance, such as the area child protection guidelines and contact numbers. However, she is unaware of the procedures to be followed if an allegation is made while a child is in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children benefit from the childminder planning a flexible routine and interesting activities. She has started to use the Birth to three matters framework. Children are happy to choose from the good variety of toys and resources available. One child confidently demonstrates his knowledge of operating push button toys. He selects resources independently and his learning is extended by the childminder's good interaction. For example, she provides him with streamers to put in the toy washing machine and points out what happens to the colours as it spins around. Children's creative development is promoted through well-planned activities and the childminder responding to their interests. For example, when one child shows an interest in different noises, the childminder offers him the instruments. He then indicates that he would like music and she puts this on for him to play and dance to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A child playing with coloured cornflour enjoys watching it trickle through his fingers. He tries picking it up with his fingers and also with a spoon. The childminder encourages him to say how it feels and smells. Older children are able to select from a range of activities appropriate to their stage of development, for example, craft activities, box games, books and puzzles, and role-play. Children spend their time purposefully as the childminder has a good knowledge of how to promote their all round development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident, happy and secure in the childminder's home. They learn to respect each other and appropriately express their feelings. They develop a good understanding of other people's differences through the childminder's positive attitude and through access to some positive resources. Children are well-behaved and display a good understanding of the expectations of their behaviour. The childminder reinforces positive behaviour and consistently praises their achievements. Children benefit from a flexible routine that meets their individual needs such as, rest and sleep, meals, and opportunities for quiet and active times.

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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 Children benefit from the good relationship and partnership the childminder has with their parents. Good documentation and daily discussions supports the childminder in providing appropriate care. Parents are kept well informed of the childminder's procedures and receive many of them in writing. The childminder works closely with parents to meet their wishes and children's individual needs, one of the after-school children is supported in completing homework.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are met through the childminder's well organised provision. She uses the whole premises effectively to support the children's care and learning. The kitchen is used for creative activities as well as meals, the dining room has toys stored appropriately for children to make choices. The lounge is used for quiet activities and children sleep safely in the bedroom. Children's care, welfare and development is promoted through good procedures and documentation; this is easily accessible for daily use and stored confidentially. The childminder has appropriate, current qualifications and uses the Internet and local contacts to research and improve her practice. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to consider using the baby alarm system to monitor children who sleep upstairs. Since that inspection the childminder has installed a baby alarm in the main bedroom used for children to sleep. She also regularly checks the sleeping children. This now means that the childminder can hear immediately if any child has woken up, and ensures that babies and children can sleep safely.

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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 sing 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • gain parental consent for children to use the large trampoline • practise the emergency evacuation procedures to enable older children to assist with their own safety • gain a knowledge of the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse while a child is in your care

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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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