Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY263996 Inspection date 04 January 2006 Inspector Jennifer Read

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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 has been registered since 2003 and may provide care for five children under 8 years at any one time. She currently cares for three children under 5 years on a part-time basis all year round: one child over 5 years after-school during school terms and two children between 4 and 8 years on an occasional Saturday or weekend. The childminder walks to local schools and playgroups to take and collect the children. The childminder lives with her husband and two children of 5 and 9 years in the Churchdown area on the outskirts of Gloucester. Most of the house is available for

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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 childminding, with the main care taking place in the open-plan kitchen and dining area, toilet and upstairs lounge. There is an enclosed rear garden with grass and patio areas for outdoor play. The childminder has completed the Developing Childminding Practice, Extending Childminding Practice, first aid for people working with children and young babies and child protection training. The childminder attends parent-and-toddler groups on a weekly basis. She is a member of local Childminding Support Group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children benefit from a clean, tidy setting. They begin to learn about good personal hygiene, through regular routines and sensitive reminders to wash their hands after using the toilet, to help prevent the spread of infection. For example, the childminder says: “We need nice clean hands after using the toilet, don't we?” However, she does not provide a clear, consistent explanation to help build the children's awareness of why hand washing is important. Use of gloves during nappy changing routines and frequent prompts to wipe clean musical instruments that go into the mouth, before another child uses them, help prevent cross infection. Clear guidance when the children are ill is in place and well implemented to promote the children's health care needs. So are procedures of appropriate action to take, if a child has an accident or requires medical treatment or medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy sufficient fresh air and a suitable range of energetic physical exercise, which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For example, they climb, slide, throw and kick balls and use tools in the sandpit during fine weather. They enjoy weekly outings to the play park, which helps improve their muscle control and self-confidence in their physical skills. Good support and encouragement enables the younger children to manoeuvre around the furniture, as they practise their first steps, crawl along the floor and pull themselves up to aid early walking. The children benefit from a healthy, balanced, home-cooked menu. Food provided by the parents is stored, heated and served appropriately. A poster promoting five fruits and vegetables a day is displayed to support their healthy lifestyle. However, the childminder does not promote regular discussion, effective questioning and clear explanation. Subsequently, the children gain little knowledge of why healthy,

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Helping children to be healthy

nutritious food helps promote their healthy living. The older children take an active part in mealtime routines and take turns to lay the place mats on the table, put out the cutlery, or hand out the plates and drinks. As a result, most children enjoy their food. Most children begin to develop a healthy independence, as some children feed themselves and are confident to ask for a drink at any time. The younger children are regularly offered drinks, to ensure none of them remain thirsty.

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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 is satisfactory. The children experience a generally safe, secure and welcoming environment. The acceptable organisation of age-appropriate play materials and the use of adequate play space, allow the children to move around confidently. They independently and safely access a selection of available resources from boxes on the floor. The risk of accidental injury is minimised, because the childminder implements appropriate safety measures to safeguard and promote the children's welfare. Such safety measures include, for example, homemade stair gates, well thought through plans for the safe collection of the children and procedures for lost and uncollected children. However, not all garden equipment is secure, which increases the risk of accidents for the children. Toys, games and play materials with small objects are stored safely

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to protect the younger children from potential risk of choking. However, discussion and practise of the concise emergency escape plan, useful questioning and clear explanations do not take place. Therefore, the children do not develop a good awareness of safety and do not learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder safeguards and protects the children, because she knows her role well. She is vigilant and gives high priority to help the children gain a secure understanding about safety, when crossing the road and on outings. Consequently, the children know how to cross the road safely and adhere to the clear boundaries. The children are generally well protected from possible abuse and neglect, because the childminder has attended child protection and shows a sound knowledge of the procedures to follow with any concerns. She is fully aware of the types of abuse and signs to look for. She also maintains detailed information to refer to, when required.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy, settled and take part in a suitable selection of child-initiated play experiences, to support and promote their interests and enjoyment. They begin to express their imagination and creativity through free-play with a broad range of suitable toys, games, play items and a small selection of natural materials to stimulate and promote their sensory experiences. For example, the children make connections in their play, to make experiences real and meaningful. They use the small musical instrument container, wooden spoon and play kitchen to make imaginary cakes and a piece of material to create a picnic scene. “I'm making a cake”, “It’s chocolate, strawberries and raspberries, need to try it to check it tastes ok”, the child exclaims enthusiastically. The childminder has attended Birth to Three Matters training, but is unsure how to use the framework effectively to promote and extend experiences further for the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

younger children. Opportunity to explore with paint, play dough, sticking and gluing and sand is not currently available to all the children. This restricts their experiences and opportunity for new challenge, which may influence the younger children's development over time. The children are secure in their relationship with each other and the childminder, because consistent routines support and encourage their development. This helps

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 increase the children's sense of belonging. The older children are confident communicators and interact freely. For example they ask: “Can we have dancing with real music?” The younger children experiment with sounds, to imitate early communication skills and attract the attention of the childminder and their peers during play and singing activities. The childminder shows interest in what the children do and say. She extends their language and communication further, through good questioning and meaningful support. For example, by saying: “Why do you think it is sticky?”, “It’s because they are magnetic”. The children show interest in books and enjoy regular visits to the library, to make their selection. The children learn to socialise with other children in-group situations

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and broaden their experiences through visits to various childcare groups, the aquatic centre, play parks and walks to the local shops. The children concentrate for periods, because the childminder encourages them to make choices in their play; she supports and encourages their play purposefully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children benefit from a positive and friendly partnership with the parents and the childminder. Detailed information about the care she provides, clear communication through daily diaries for the younger children, the children's pictures, photographs and frequent conversations help keep the parents well informed and promote their involvement in their child's care. A mini prospectus including policies and procedures for some areas of care, examples of menu plans, activities and initial meeting with the parents to discuss and record thorough details about their child, help ensure the children are settled and their needs are consistently met. The children are welcomed and valued as individuals, because the childminder liaises closely with the parents and maintains their individual routines. This enables the parents and the childminder to have some quality time, to promote each child's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

needs successfully. The childminder shows an acceptable understanding of the care of special needs. She is committed to seek information from the parents and has clear settling-in arrangements to obtain additional guidance. Few planned activities are currently available, which limits the children's experiences to develop their knowledge and awareness of other cultures and disability. Regular visits to places of interest in the local community help the children gain a greater understanding of their surroundings. The children behave well and benefit from a calm, positive approach. The childminder gives priority to ensure the children are happy, through frequent praise; conflicts and challenging behaviour are dealt with appropriately. Consequently, the children are happy and content. They share co-operatively, take turns and use manners appropriately, because the childminder is supportive and sensitive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

However, explanations to help the children begin to learn right and wrong are not given. As a result, the children do not learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour.

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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. The childminder is very committed and motivated in the care of the children to promote their welfare. The children are confident and settled, because the childminder is sensitive and intuitive to provide suitable care. She is well qualified and takes advantage of additional training to up-date her knowledge of appropriate good practice. The childminder has a secure knowledge of most regulatory requirements and is currently addressing the new legislation to implement a complaints log. The children benefit from an organised setting, because the childminder monitors her practice regularly through self-evaluation. She is aware of her strengths and some key areas to improve. This helps maintain the children's health and safety and supports their needs well. Documentation is clear, accurate and shared with the parents to safeguard the children's welfare. Policies and procedures, the induction folder for parents,

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Organisation

photographs and children's records are well maintained and organised securely. Written agreements, daily attendance record and emergency contact details are thorough and efficiently organised, to safeguard and protect the children's well-being. The children use the available play space purposefully, which allows them to access their chosen resources confidently to meet their interests. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended the provider extended the range of resources, to reflect positive images of disability. The provider has made steady progress to extend the range of resources and help promote the children's awareness of diversity. She is currently seeking additional information and knowledge, to improve opportunities and broaden the children's experiences of other cultures and disability.

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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

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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 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): • provide a clear, consistent explanation to help build children's awareness of the importance of why hand washing, healthy, nutritious food and regular exercise help promote a healthy lifestyle. • practise the emergency escape plan, and provide a consistent explanation to enable children to begin to learn about everyday safety in the setting and to keep themselves safe. • develop further the use of the Birth to Three Matters Framework to enhance the younger children's experiences to promote their inclusion and development.

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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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