Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY242533 Inspection date 19 January 2006 Inspector Hilary Elizabeth Tierney

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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 satisfactory. 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 in a four bedroom house in a quiet road close to Tewkesbury town centre. She shares her home with her husband and their three children aged 15, 12, and 5 years. All of the house is available for childminding, with the ground floor as the main play area. Upstairs on the first floor bedrooms are used when children require a rest and the second floor is restricted to use by children over 5 years. There is an enclosed garden to the front of the property. There is a family cat. Local amenities within walking distance include the town centre and schools. The childminder may provide care for five children under 8 years of age. No overnight

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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 care is provided. She currently provides part-time care which includes before-and-after-school and school holiday care for five children. The childminder has completed child protection training.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged in satisfactory hygiene practices; they are beginning to learn about the need to wash hands before meals and after using the toilet. Children's health is protected and the childminder has clear procedures in place to ensure that the spread of infection is minimised satisfactorily. Children do not attend when ill and parents are contacted immediately if a child becomes ill when in the childminder's care. All parents' emergency numbers are easily to hand. The childminder is confident in dealing with minor injuries, both accident and medication records are kept and shared with parents. However, written permission from parents for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place. There is a secure front garden where children may play safely with age appropriate play equipment; frequent outings are also taken. Children are encouraged to eat healthily. Their parents provide their meals and

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks for their children, the childminder works with them to ensure a suitable selection of food is sent. Snacks consist of apples, oranges, raisins and drinks. The childminder sits with the children whilst they eat, and encourages good table manners. She has a suitable understanding about children's individual dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a warm, cosy environment where they may play safely and confidently. There are suitable age appropriate toys and equipment which children may freely access during their time at the childminder's home. Children are safe because the childminder has put in place all necessary safety precautions and she has a suitable awareness about reducing risks both inside and outside the home. The childminder has carefully thought-out emergency escape plans, but has not made it clear to children what they need to do in an emergency and evacuation procedures have not been practised with them. Most written parental permissions are in place. Children are safe because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding about the procedures to follow in the event of having a concern about a child in her care. She has completed child protection training.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and secure as they play. They are warmly welcomed into the home and settle quickly when parents leave. Children are able to select the toys and equipment freely. During the inspection the childminder reads a story to a child, as she sits at the dining table, from a pop-up book with delightful pictures. The child turns the pages carefully, enjoying finding out what is on the next page. The childminder asks the child questions about what she is seeing in the book. Interactions are good between the childminder and children. The children have good opportunities to develop their imagination with well planned activities such as 'going shopping'. The childminder has plenty of patience with the children. During the inspection she waits until they have put out the play food, till, shopping baskets and play money before asking if they are ready for her to go shopping. One child scans

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the tins and places them in the basket, then asks for the money. The childminder pays her and the child replies "thank you for shopping here". The childminder replies "that's all right, see you later, goodbye". Further activities include role-play, books, painting and trips to the park. The childminder provides good activities that develop children's learning and development as they play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with equal care and concern. The childminder has a calm approach towards the children, she takes time to listen and answer their questions as they play. There are suitable toys and equipment that reflect the diversity within the community. The childminder supports children with special needs and their individual needs are met well. Children behave well, they are beginning to learn to share and understand the boundaries within the home. Effective praise and encouragement are used by the childminder and children respond well to her. Children are polite and need no prompting when using their manners, for example, when asking for a drink the child automatically says "please" at the end of the sentence. A good relationship with parents has developed. The childminder has cared for siblings from the same families, over the years. Verbal information is shared with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents when they collect their children at the end of the day. All parental emergency numbers are readily available in case they are needed in an emergency. Most parental permissions are in place.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 All paperwork is readily available for inspection. The childminder is suitably organised and ensures all details relating to her childminding business are kept confidential. The registration certificate is appropriately displayed and there is a suitable complaints procedures in place, so that parents know who to contact in the event of a complaint. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder had four recommendations from the last inspection. These were to: ensure all relevant documentation is in place in accordance with regulation for the safe management of the childminding; increase knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made; provide parents with information on how to contact Ofsted with any concerns; and extend the range of toys and materials made available to children that reflect images of culture, ethnicity and disability. All recommendations have been successfully completed, the childminder now has all the relevant documentation in place and it is easily available. She is clear about the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made and parents have been provided with information about how to contact Ofsted with any concerns. The childminder has extended her range of toys and materials that reflect positive images

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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 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 satisfactory. 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):

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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 • further develop children's safety by practising emergency fire escape procedures. • request written permission, from parents, to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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