Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY262448 Inspection date 16 January 2006 Inspector Kay Roberts

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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 first registered in 2003 and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and nine years in a two bedroom semi-detached house in Keynsham, close to St John's Primary School. They have two cats, two fish in a tank in the living room, and a hamster which is kept in one of the bedrooms. Minded children have access to the living room and kitchen/diner. A bedroom on the first floor is available for babies who require a sleep, the back garden is suitable for outdoor play.

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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 Registration is for a maximum of five children under eight years. There are currently five children on roll of whom three are under eight years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a clean environment, the risk of children becoming ill is minimised as the childminder follows hygienic procedures, such as using anti-bacterial spray to wipe kitchen surfaces and using separate bedding and towels for each child. The sickness policy for excluding children who are ill is shared with parents. The children's welfare is also promoted as childminder follows appropriate procedures for managing first aid and medication. The children learn the importance of hygiene through the daily routine as they wash their hands after playing outdoors and before eating. They are able to be independent as they use a small step and the frog soap makes it more fun. However the importance of hygiene, exercise and a healthy diet are not reinforced through discussion or other activities, so children do not develop an understanding of how to promote their own good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have regular opportunities to play outdoors and visit the local parks where they develop large muscle skills as they use the equipment, play with a frisbee and kick balls. When the weather is inclement opportunities to develop large muscle skills are limited to playing skittles in the hall. Babies do not become over tired as the childminder follows their home routine and they sleep undisturbed in a travel cot in the main bedroom. The children do not get thirsty as they help themselves to their drinking beakers, they eat healthy snacks of fruit and enjoy home cooked meals such as pasta, creamy bacon and mushrooms. The menu is displayed in the kitchen so that parents do not repeat the meal. Children's special dietary requirements are met through discussion with parents. At meal times all the children sit together and small children are given the opportunity to be independent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children feel welcome as they are greeted with open arms, they are proud of their pictures displayed on the door to the kitchen and living room. Organisation of the home environment provides some opportunities for independence, such as the provision of towels on a low level hook, but they can not reach to put up their own coats as hooks are placed out of reach. The children confidently help themselves to toys, such as puzzles and books which are placed in boxes around the room. They remain interested as resources are rotated with those stored elsewhere in the home. Use of a local toy library extends the range of toys available to the children. The children play in a safe, secure environment. The childminder is vigilant and advises that towers should not be built too high as they may fall on younger children.

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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 provision of suitable equipment such as stair gates and a fire guard offers the children further protection. The children's welfare is also promoted as the childminder has a sound understanding of local child protection procedures. The children learn to protect themselves. Regularly practising the fire drill means that children are confident to exit the premises safely in the event of an emergency. On outings children learn the green cross code. Attendance at 'Beep, Beep Day' provided a fun opportunity to reinforce the importance of road safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children have a relaxed relationship with the childminder and as she sits on the floor they sit on her lap. She extends their learning by participating in activities with them. She explains the rules of games and offers assistance to younger children when playing 'Soundtrack' by asking what sounds they can hear. They listen carefully to the sounds of the DVD and even young children identify the sound of a baby crying and a frog. The children feel important as she follows through on their decisions; for example, when one child asked to colour she fetched the crayons. Learning is extended as the children watch the childminder construct a railway track and then have an opportunity to try and make a track themselves. She asks questions to make them think, "what goes on the track?". The children play well together and construct a tower from duplo, the youngest child passing the pieces to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder's son. On completing the tower, proud of his achievements he asked the childminder to look at the tower. Opportunities are provided for children to socialise as they visit toddler groups on a regular basis. Children's progress is monitored in a 'Birth to three matters' tracking record. However this information is not used as a basis for planning and therefore children may not progress to their full potential in all areas of learning. Planning is based on themes which provide opportunities to reinforce learning in a variety of ways, for example, for the topic of animals children visited Avon Valley Country Park, made animal biscuits and coloured in pictures which the childminder obtained from the internet.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children new to the childminder settle quickly as they visit her home for a number of visits prior to the start date. They feel relaxed as they bring a favourite toy and the childminder follows their routine from home. The strong relationship with parents provides reassurance to the children. Parents are well informed of the childminder's practices as she shares her well presented, detailed folder of information and parents have copies of her policies and procedures. The daily diary keeps parents up to date with what has happened during their child's day. The children show appreciation for their environment by helping to tidy up toys once they have finished playing, they play together and are generally well behaved. The childminder encourages positive behaviour through praise and although not yet

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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 required, the proposed procedure for managing unwanted behaviour by placing children on the bottom step, could make children feel humiliated. Outings to Keynsham park to feed the ducks, visits to shops and toddler groups help the children to understand a little about the local community. They develop some understanding about the wider world as they play with a range of readily accessible resources which reflect positive images of diversity. The childminder encourages the children to look at difference in a positive light, for example, pointing out that one Happy Land figure wears glasses. The childminder has undertaken training on cultural celebrations but has not followed this through with children to help them develop a fuller understanding of other cultures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. She is appropriately qualified and keen to extend her skills and knowledge has attended a number of training courses during the last year such as, food hygiene. She has also sought parents' views via a questionnaire. The children are protected from people who have not been vetted, the student currently on placement with the childminder has been appropriately checked and received an induction so that she is clear about her role and responsibilities. The childminder plans theme based activities but does not take into consideration the children's individual stage of development. Minded children have a relaxed relationship with the childminder, who spends time playing with children and extending their learning. All relevant documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and

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Organisation

well-being is in place, confidentially maintained and where appropriate shared with the parents. The detailed folder of practices which is shared with parents is regularly reviewed, for example, the complaints procedure reflects the changes in legislation and the new address of the regulator.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to meet three recommendations. Children are protected as sockets not in use are now covered and the childminder has written parental consent to seek medical advice or treatment in the event of an emergency. The children's welfare is further promoted as the childminder is aware of local child protection procedures.

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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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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

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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): • further promote children's good health by encouraging physical development indoors when weather inclement and extending children's knowledge of how to keep selves healthy • further develop planning so that it takes into consideration each child's stage of development • ensure children do not feel humiliated when they are given time out for misbehaving • extend children's learning about the cultures of others through fun activities

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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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