Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 506726 Inspection date 28 September 2005 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her son aged 10 years and daughter aged 1 year in the Pitville area of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The whole of the property, with the exception of two of the bedrooms, is used for childminding purposes. There is a large, enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outdoor play. The family has a pet goldfish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time. She is currently minding 1 child under 5 years for part of the day and 1 child over 5 years before and after school. She also offers holiday care.

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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 There is a playgroup, school, library and shops within walking distance of the house. The childminder takes children on outings to nearby parks and attends several toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends a childminding group. She is chair of a local special needs group and a school governor.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn good hygiene practice as the childminder encourages thorough hand washing and provides individual face flannels. Those who become ill are well cared for and the risk of cross infection is minimised, as parents are aware of the importance of keeping sick children at home. Children receive good continuity of care through the sharing of information with parent about accidents and medication. The children have good access to healthy drinks to supplement those brought from home. The childminder prepares a wide range of nourishing, homemade foods and meets children’s dietary needs via liaison with their parents. Children have effective opportunities for physical exercise on the challenging climbing equipment and swings in the spacious garden. They increasingly learn about the importance of activity in a healthy lifestyle as they go on planned walks around the local area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe as the childminder closely supervises them at all times. She is well aware of potential dangers, including drop-off and collection times, and ensures the house and garden are secure so children only leave accompanied by named adults. The majority of hazards have been minimised so children play safely, including most of the low-level glass. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder encourages them to think of the consequences of their actions, for example, when tipping a chair backwards. She firmly teaches aspects of road safety so children gain a realistic awareness of the dangers. The childminder has training in first aid and child protection and is currently booked to renew both certificates. Her sound understanding of these and the Area Child Protection Committee procedures contributes to safeguarding the children’s welfare.

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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 Children receive a high standard of care, learn through good quality play and respond well to varied routines that include active and quieter activities. They select from a wide range of resources that contribute to their creativity, including paint and glue for recycled materials. They enjoy regular, interesting visits, for example, to the park and different types of railway station. Adult-led activities skilfully encourage children’s spontaneous interests to help them develop. They ask many questions and investigate different materials, including flower seeds and windfall pears that gradually ripen. The children begin to make good sense of the world as the childminder effectively supports them to learn about whole processes. For example, they select a growing fir tree, see it felled, watch it

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

delivered and decorate it. Children gain competent early communication and language skills through continuous conversations with the childminder, regular sharing of books and activities for recognising and matching pictures. These include preparing shopping cards and chalking on the paving stones outside. They learn effectively from a broad range of activities that support their mathematical thinking. For example, they buy their own train tickets and pay for items that they help to find in local shops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children thrive as their individual needs are very well understood by the childminder and she uses this information effectively to help settle them when they arrive. For example, children share items in their bags so they talk about what is important to them. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder’s home. They develop good independence, for example, to choose their own toys from the large quantities stored at floor level. The children learn to relate well to others. They play with a wide range of resources that show positive images of different people so they learn to value others. They have good opportunities to socialise at several children’s groups, including one for those with special needs. Although she does not care for children with such needs at present, the childminder has much experience in dealing with other agencies, including health professionals, to enable her to provide informed support for such

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children and their families. As the childminder encourages children to pause and consider their actions, they receive very good, consistent support to behave. They understand the clear explanations and learn the reasons for suggested behaviour so they recall these in the future, for example, about how to sit safely. Children benefit from the childminder’s good relationships with parents fostered by her friendly, business-like approach. The regular sharing of information about the minding and activities ensure the children's care is consistent with the parents wishes. The childminder has a high regard for confidentiality so that children’s personal details are only shared with the child’s carers.

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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 meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She attends training to update her knowledge of childcare and is experienced in the care of children with a wide range of needs. The childminder is well organised with all records to hand and her register is accurate, neat and up-to-date. She seeks all required written permissions and shares written details of the care of babies with parents to enhance the children’s care and welfare. Only small numbers of children are cared for so each has ample support to feel secure and confident. The premises are clean, tidy and most welcoming with children’s work on display. Good use is made of the space available with the lounge and dining room taken over for children’s play. There are many high quality toys for children of all different ages to access easily, including boxes containing a wide variety of craft materials.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous inspection required action to develop the childminder's knowledge of child protection and extend her record of medicines administered to children. It also recommended that she improved procedures regarding liaising with parents over the care of the children. Children are now better protected as the childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding of appropriate procedures to follow in the event of child protection concerns. The care of children regarding their health and working in partnership with parents has improved. The childminder keeps full records of accidents and administered medication and shares these appropriately with parents for their signatures. She now seeks all required permissions from parents, including written consent to travel in a vehicle and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • assess the risk to children in relation to unprotected, low-level glass and take action to minimise this.

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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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