Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299367 Inspection date 05 July 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 2005. She lives with her husband, adult stepson and 2 children aged 8 and 3 years. They live in the residential area of Matson on the outskirts of Gloucester. The family has a goldfish as a pet. The whole of the house is available for childminding, except for the garage. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time. She is currently minding 2 children under 5 years part-time and 1 child out of school. The childminder walks to a school to take and collect children. She regularly attends

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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 the local parent-and-toddler group. There is a playgroup, park, library and shops within walking distance. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean environment and enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. These include frequent walks and regular outdoor play in the well-equipped garden, a local park and nearby common land. Babies are active and they develop effectively, for example, with good space to learn to crawl. They follow their own sleeping and feeding routines and so are responsive and content. Children drink at frequent intervals throughout the day and the childminder effectively meets their dietary needs. She offers nutritious, homemade food for most meals and snacks so all children thrive. They learn about a balanced diet from leaflets on healthy-eating and by tasting different fruits and vegetables, including some they prepare for themselves. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned routines, such as handwashing after play in the garden. They are protected from

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Helping children to be healthy

most cross infections through the childminder's clear policies and procedures, though children share a towel after washing. For example, parents receive clear information to inform them that children must not attend if they come into contact with an infectious illness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe environment as the childminder has taken effective steps to minimise potential hazards, such as fitting locks to cupboards and using stairgates where needed. In the event of any emergency, they follow the childminder's detailed, written evacuation plan. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. On outings, good safety first is practised following the childminder’s regular reminders to hold hands or the pram. Babies and children safely access a wide range of good quality, well-maintained resources that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Older children consider the safety of younger ones by playing with small items on the table or upstairs. The childminder monitors sleeping children regularly to ensure their well-being. Children’s welfare and safety is promoted through the childminder’s wide knowledge and understanding of relevant issues and procedures. For example, she holds

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

current first aid and child protection certificates and has a sound knowledge of the

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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 local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle and enjoy their time in the childminder’s home. They make good progress in all areas of their development through a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities. The childminder informally plans interesting activities for toddlers and older children so they respond to challenges at their own level. For example, they search for drawn or written items in a treasure hunt and look closely at the natural world around them. Babies begin to connect ideas as they explore attractive toys, including a water mat. They experiment with hand paints and begin to make sense of the world by exploring the contents of a treasure basket. The children gain good language skills to express their needs, describe their activities and ask questions. Babies increasingly listen and respond to the childminder’s frequent talking when they start to hold ‘conversations’ by filling in the spaces

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

between her words. Children have very good opportunities to make decisions and using their initiative. From an early age, they choose, for example, which fruit they would like and whether they want to mix their own milkshakes. Children begin to become independent learners as they access toys and craft resources stored at their level. They enjoy many activities that contribute to their imagination and creativity, including drawing and sticking. Children learn from a broad range of activities that support their mathematical thinking. For example, they learn about shape and space through construction and discuss when they are too big for a high chair.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children relate well to the childminder and other children attending. Babies and young children gain a secure sense of belonging and enjoy frequent cuddles. They benefit from flexible and familiar routines. These include regular visits to a parent-and-toddler group and to other childminders where children learn to socialise with others and how to respect their needs. Resources show positive images of culture and disability and so support children to understand the importance of valuing how others are different. Children behave well as the childminder gives clear indications of her expectations. The younger children learn to be polite, to be helpful and to keep their belongings tidy. Older ones read the positive house rules with the childminder so they can recognise how to include others in their play and consider their feelings. Children benefit from the childminder’s calm, friendly and professional relationship

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with parents. This results in good communication between her and each family so children’s individual needs are all met. The parents and childminder exchange full

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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 details about each child in conversation and through a diary so children receive consistent care. They also share a scrapbook with photographs of childminding activities so parents can have meaningful conversations with the children about their day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are comfortable in their surroundings. The childminder is well qualified and experienced in childcare. Children feel at home in the suitably organised environment that is welcoming with displays of creative work and low-level storage for their belongings. Children have ample adult attention as the childminder only cares for a small number at any one time. The childminder plans her time effectively so children benefit from her full consideration and support. The childminder’s records and documents are carefully organised and easily accessible. They are detailed and up-to-date, including the clear record of children's attendance. The storage of family details is in separate folders that are kept confidential to foster children’s welfare. There are effective arrangements for sharing records with parents so they receive good information about their child’s development. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection after registration.

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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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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 • ensure hand drying practice prevents the spread of infection amongst children.

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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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