Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY289532 Inspection date 09 June 2005 Inspector Maria Lumley

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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 to care for children since 2002. She lives with her children aged six and eight years, in Bournemouth. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a total of five children at any one time. There are five children currently on roll.

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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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have regular access to outdoor play. This gives them opportunities to engage in physical activity and fresh air, both of which contribute to their general health. For example, they regularly go for walks, visit toddler groups and go on outings to local parks and farms. Children demonstrate some awareness of healthy practice. For example the importance of hand washing after outdoor play and prior to meals. The childminder is promoting some independence. However, children are not always allowed to complete these tasks unaided. Children's health is compromised when playing outdoors in hot weather. Insufficient protection from the sun for prolonged periods of time puts children's health at risk. Children are developing awareness of healthy eating through discussions with the childminder at snack time. They chose from a well stocked fruit bowl and talk about why fruit is good for them. Children benefit from home cooked, nutritious meals which

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. They are excited to see their art work which is displayed on the walls. Risk to children has been reduced in some areas of the home. For example appropriate safety catches secured to kitchen units promotes children's safety. However, children's safety is compromised in several areas of the home. For example, the front door is not secured and children could leave the property unsupervised. Resources are not always well maintained and present potential danger to children. There are many safety hazards in the garden that compromise children's safety such as broken fencing and a rotary washing line. Children learn about safe practices during craft activities. For example they are reminded not to point the scissors and not to eat the glue. This minimises the risk of injury to themselves or others. The childminder has a secure and clear knowledge of child protection procedures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

which supports her in her role of keeping children safe. She has recently completed training on this subject which ensures that her knowledge is up to date.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy within the setting and have developed positive relationships with the childminder and their peers. They are developing confidence and self esteem. The childminder has completed Birth to Three matters training and is focusing on positive language to promote positive outcomes for children. For example, when children say " I can't ", she encourages them by saying " have a go, I'm sure you can." Children are beginning to learn social skills, such as taking turns, sharing and co-operating with each other. Children's learning and development are not always identified and addressed by the childminder. At times children are left at activities with intermittent adult interaction and direction. This results in children losing concentration and focus at some

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities. For example, at the craft activity the children piled glue onto paper and emptied entire containers of glitter onto the paper, table and garden. Children were not challenged or provided with opportunities to extend their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally well behaved. They are learning to be considerate of others and to share. Children are well mannered and polite. For example, they say "please" and "thank you" without being prompted. The childminder has established and uses some effective strategies for diffusing situations as they arise, such as discussion and distraction. However, these are not always consistently implemented and result in mixed messages being sent to the children. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents and recorded, this enables the childminder to meet them effectively. The childminder has established good relationships with parents. She is supportive of parents changing circumstances. A flexible service is offered to ensure that children's needs are catered for. For example, by collecting children from home and buying items such as nappies. Parents are kept well informed about their children through daily discussions and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

telephone calls. Children are developing awareness of the wider world through planned activities and use of resources. For example, children have learnt about Chinese New Year and Hinduism. They made dragon calendars and plaster models which they took home to share with their families. Children are being made aware of disabilities. They have started to learn sign language to help them communicate with deaf children. The childminder has completed special needs training for 0-5 year olds.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and confident to explore within the setting. There is sufficient clear floor space for them to play freely indoors. Poor storage of resources restricts children's access to them and requires adult support. Children's movement in the

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 garden is hindered due to the disorganised positioning of equipment. This results is very limited outdoor space for children to play safely. Children are protected from unvetted or unsuitable adults. The childminder ongoing attendance on training courses is equipping her with the skills to progress her practice and enhance children's care. All required documentation, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place. Parents are kept informed of records kept on their children. Overall the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous inspection recommended that the childminder request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Children's individual records now contain written consents from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This contributes to children in the setting being healthy.

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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): • ensure children are adequately protected from the sun • ensure the environment and resources are made safe, well maintained and accessible. • ensure children are provided with opportunities to extend their play and meet their development.

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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 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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