Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY290625 Inspection date 02 February 2006 Inspector Sue Hill

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 12, 9 and 7 years in Keynsham, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently minding one child under five part-time during the day and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. She attends the local

p.2

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 parent/toddler group and takes children on outings.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene and personal care, and are protected from infection through the childminder's clear sickness policy. Children learn about good hygiene practices through well-planned daily routines. Excellent procedures such as the childminder wearing disposable gloves for nappy changing and using individual flannels/towels for children sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. Children's health is actively promoted. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, she appropriately manages accidents and the administration of medication, and shares the records with parents. Children are able to enjoy a range of physical activities through using the childminder’s well equipped garden. There are regular visits to the park and playgrounds to further develop their physical skills. The childminder visits different

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

toddler groups ensuring that the children have a good balance of activities which contributes to their general health and well being. For example one group offers use of a good range of indoor equipment such as slides, large balls and climbing equipment, so that children can still develop physical skills during poor weather. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through encouragement from the childminder. They have drinks easily available throughout the day, and the childminder follows parent’s wishes for the types of food given to their child. The childminder is happy to discuss diet with parents, particularly where this will improve the child's diet and introduce new foods or textures, for example through offering foods that need chewing. Meals times are social occasions, as all children sit together at the table and talk to each other and the childminder.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and safe in the warm and welcoming environment, the ground floor is organised to meet children's needs with furniture placed to the side of the rooms to provide a large play space. Many of the clean and safe resources are kept in this area in cupboards, tubs and on low level shelving. Children can independently access activities from a good range of safe and interesting toys and equipment. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder uses a local toy library to provide children with a wider choice of good quality toys and equipment that is appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children are able to access a good, safe range of outdoor equipment, for example swings, slides and a climbing frame.

p.3

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 As the childminder has addressed potential hazards in the home, children's freedom is maximised. They are protected by clear and well-detailed accident and medication records and the childminder has all the required documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Children are kept safe through the childminder’s clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and regular practices of fire evacuation procedures. The childminder is aware of potential hazards outside the home and puts appropriate measures in place so that children are safe. Children learn to protect themselves as they are taught road safety and not to talk to strangers.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have fun, are confident and enjoy the activities available to them. They are well settled in the childminder's house, they enter confidently and make themselves at home. The childminder promotes language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills and gestures to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. They relate appropriately to each other and are starting to socialise with other children, regularly attending the local toddler group. This provides them with opportunities to develop and use their language skills. Children's interest is sustained as the childminder actively participates in games, resulting in children wanting to learn and to try new things. They develop independently as they choose their own activities from a good range of resources.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are happily and actively occupied, the childminder is aware of each child’s individual stage of development, and is beginning to use the Birth to Three Matters framework. She is in the early stages of assessing children's achievements and planning their next stage of learning.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, enabling children to learn positively about differences. For example, children made dragons to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Children learn through their play using dolls, books, puzzles and games depicting positive images of difference. These are readily available to the children, and are used regularly to support children in learning respect for individuality. Awareness of their own environment is developed through local visits, for example, to the park and soft play. They walk to the local school and amenities, so that they become very familiar with their surroundings. The childminder provides clear, consistent boundaries and has a proactive approach to behaviour management. They behave very well as a response to the childminder's use of positive praise, discussion and encouragement to share resources. The

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

children’s needs are well met as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed

p.4

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 with their parents. The childminders prospectus provides information about her services, enabling parents to be clear about what is available for their children. She works closely with parents following routines and shares important information with them in a daily diary and through discussion about children's needs and interests.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children feel at home and at ease as the childminder organises her time to give the children individual attention. The childminder provides an inviting environment so that children move around without being inhibited and confidently help themselves to toys they wish to play with. Activities and toys are well presented encouraging children to explore and initiate play. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Documents are shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service, their child's activities and so that children receive continuity of care. All the necessary documentation is in place which ensures that children are well cared for. The childminder also collects parents signatures to show that they have read and understood her policies, however, this is not consistent for all families.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has met the two recommendations made at the last inspection. She agreed to ensure she knew the correct procedures for reporting accidents to RIDDOR, and to increase her range of resources promoting positive images of gender roles. She has information and a clear understanding of procedures, should she need to report any accidents to RIDDOR, further improving children's safety while in her care. She has improved her range of resources promoting positive images of gender roles, so that children can learn about equality of opportunity.

p.5

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 the parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

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): • extend assessment and planning to further promote the younger children's learning through use of Birth to Three Matters framework.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6