Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY242073 Inspection date 11 January 2006 Inspector Anne Legge

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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 lives with her husband and 2 children, aged 9 and 5 years, in a residential area, on the outskirts of Exmouth. She is a qualified nursery nurse and has been registered as a childminder since 2003. She is registered to care for up to 5 children under 8 years of age, and currently has 2 children on roll. She uses the ground floor lounge, dining room and playroom for childminding, with sleep and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. There are no pets.

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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 very well promoted, due to the childminder's clear understanding of their physical and emotional development. They become confident and develop high self-esteem, as she constantly praises their efforts and achievements. They benefit from her careful approach to safeguarding their physical health, such as by ensuring that they are well protected from the sun, using hats, cream and shade. Children are safe from infection, as the childminder has good cleaning routines and appropriate procedures, such as for changing nappies and excluding children who are unwell. Children learn good hygiene routines regarding regular hand washing, and use individual towels, to prevent the spread of infection. Children receive good and consistent care, when they are ill or injured. The childminder has a current first aid qualification, and her first aid box is appropriately stocked. Records of accidents and medication are comprehensive, and all consents

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Helping children to be healthy

are in place. Children benefit from the childminder's positive approach to healthy eating. She works closely with parents, to encourage the provision of nutritious snacks and meals, and has made progress in this respect. She encourages children to eat the most nutritious parts of their packed lunches first, such as sandwiches and fruit, but not all snacks promote their good health. Children have plenty of fluids, as drinks are always available, and they benefit from the childminder's good understanding of special dietary needs or preferences. They have daily opportunities to be physically active, as they walk to and from school or pre-school, and regularly walk to a local park, where they run, climb and balance. They play in the garden, using a slide, see-saw, bats and balls, to develop their fitness and skills. They enjoy indoor physical activities, such as dancing to music.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment, where there is plenty of space, which is used effectively, to provide a variety of activities. They choose from a wide range of appropriate toys and resources, which are in good condition and checked regularly for cleanliness or damage. They are secure in the childminder's home and garden, as she ensures that doors and the garden gate are always locked. Children's safety is very well promoted, as the childminder has an excellent understanding of the need to risk assess her home regularly, taking into account the stages of the children she minds. She addresses all identified risks, such as by moving keys to a higher level, as children grow taller. Children are safe in emergencies, as the childminder ensures that fire regulations are implemented and her evacuation procedures are effective. Children learn to be aware of hazards, as she explains to them why, for example, they must only use small pieces of games on

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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 table, when babies are present. Children are safe from abuse or neglect, due to the childminder's good understanding of all child protection issues and procedures. She keeps her knowledge up-to-date, by reading relevant publications and carefully organising information, so that it is always available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a very good variety of interesting activities, which promote their development in all areas. The childminder plans a range of activities, to give children variety over time, and she adapts her plans daily, to suit the needs and interests of the children she minds. She has a very good understanding of children's development, and she effectively helps them to make progress, by talking and playing with them, developing their language and skills. For example, children learn about numbers, as she counts pieces of a puzzle with them, or they develop a love of books, as she reads to them. They develop their imaginations, as she supports their role play, and they are challenged to solve problems, as she asks them to find missing objects, such as plates. Children develop their social skills, when they regularly meet with other children, or learn to share toys in the home. They become independent, as they choose activities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and arrange small furniture, to facilitate their play. They develop their creativity, in a good range of art and craft activities, such as making Christmas cards, and they explore textures, when cooking. They take part in a variety of outings, to the beach or to local parks, and have many opportunities to develop their physical skills, using large equipment at the park, or bats and balls in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from consistent care, due to good communications between the childminder and parents. Each child has a home book, which is used effectively to exchange information, and includes photographs of children's activities and achievements. Policies and procedures are shared verbally, when children first attend. This leads to mainly consistent care, although some information is not always fully shared, such as details of the complaints procedure. Children learn about right and wrong, as they respond to the childminder's clear rules and expectations, such as putting their shoes on the shoe rack, or treating each other kindly. They enjoy plenty of praise and encouragement, and develop warm relationships with the childminder. They learn to respect differences, as they use resources, such as books and dolls, which reflect positive images of diversity. Their individual needs are clearly understood and met, such as when the childminder offers

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Helping children make a positive contribution

different-sized paint brushes to children of different ages. There are no children with special needs on roll, but the childminder has a positive approach to all individual needs and would be happy to welcome children with additional 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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a well-qualified and experienced childminder, who has a good understanding of their development and individual needs. They are settled and happy in her care, and make good progress, due to her skilful interactions in their play. They enjoy the facilities of a comfortable and safe environment, where space and resources are used effectively and thoughtfully, to provide a good variety of play experiences. They receive very good individual attention, as numbers attending are currently low. Children's care is securely underpinned by all the required documentation, which is stored appropriately, to protect confidentiality, and ensure good communications with parents. Policies and procedures are mainly shared effectively with parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved the continuity of children's care, by obtaining parental consents for transporting children by car, and for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004. 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 consistency of children's care, by continuing to develop systems for sharing policies and procedures with parents, especially the complaints

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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 procedure • improve children's health, by continuing to develop ways of working with parents, to promote healthy eating.

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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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