Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 219764 Inspection date 23 January 2006 Inspector Diane Mary O'Neill

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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 has been registered for 17 years. She lives with her husband and their four children aged 20, 19, 10 and 9 in a village in Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for the purpose of childminding and the first floor is out of bounds. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children under five on various days and 12 over fives, who attend before and after school. The childminder is within driving distance of the village shops and parks and local schools. The family has a cat and 3 giant African

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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 snails.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment that is well maintained. Although some of the children being cared for are very young, they are beginning to learn the importance of good hygiene such as washing their hands before meals and using the flannels provided to wash their faces, as well as washing their hands after using the toilet. Children learn about good hygiene practices through good role modelling from the childminder. For example, she wears gloves when changing nappies and washes her hands regularly. The childminder has good arrangements in place for children who may become ill whist in her care as well as protecting others and ensuring cross infection is limited as much as possible. The keeping of documents to record any administration of first aid or medication is well recorded. The childminder clearly knows procedures to follow to maintain children’s health and to safe guard them whilst in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a good daily routine that includes time for sleeping if required, meals, toilet training, outings and play time. Children are provided with healthy snacks and meals which the childminder provides. She provides drinks with the snacks and children will ask if they require any extra drinks. They are beginning to develop their independence which is apparent at meal times as they are encouraged to feed themselves. The childminder also makes available to parents and the children her menus of the meals she will be providing. This enables everyone to be fully informed. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills through a variety of play experiences both inside and outside. The children move freely and confidently within the childminder’s home, where there are excellent opportunities to select play equipment independently, thus enabling their exploration, investigation, communication and imaginary skills to be developed through their play experiences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s outdoor play is further expanded within the local community by going on trips to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe environment as the childminder is aware of risks and has taken positive steps to minimise these. She carries out informal risk assessments daily and regularly checks the equipment to ensure children's safety whilst in her care. The childminder is aware of procedures to follow should she need to evacuate the premises. She has written procedures and regularly practices with the children an evacuation of the premises. Children’s learning is reinforced by these procedures.

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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 Children have good opportunities to access suitable play space and play equipment both inside and outside. This contributes to developing their independent skills through a choice of activities and play materials which the children have available to them. Children are beginning to learn about the safety of boundaries and to develop their awareness of how far they can go, for example, when they are running in the park or at the farm. The older children also get involved in helping to teach the younger children about safety such as crossing the road. The childminder has very good understanding of child protection procedures. She has devised a policy and has all relevant up-to-date guidance which helps to underpin her knowledge and understanding to help her care and protect children who

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

attend. Her well written statement about child protection is discussed with parents before their children attend.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very settled and happy in the childminder’s home. They are secure and confident with themselves and have an excellent relationship with the childminder. They are learning to share and take turns when playing with the toys and equipment. The children are extremely sociable and relate well with each other and the childminder. There is excellent use of communication and effective interaction which enables the children to be relaxed in her care. This was evident with the conversations taking place throughout the inspection. Children’s learning is very well supported by the childminder who provides a broad range of stimulating and challenging play experiences. Their independence is enhanced by being able to easily access play materials from within the childminder’s home. Children are able to freely make choices for themselves as well as having some activities planned for them, such as, trips to the park, making pictures and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

doing craft activities. The childminder engaged extremely well with the children where they had conversations about the games the children were playing, what clubs they were going to such as Brownies and football. Equally children are able to make choices for themselves such as playing together at a pretend café. This shows good examples of extending children's learning through conversation. The children have their physical play expanded by trips to the park, farm and playing out in the garden with the out door equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are beginning to learn about their community and the diversity of the world around them such as festivals, cultures and customs and different kinds of people who they may see. This is achieved through the childminder’s positive attitude and use of resources that she provides to extend their learning, through books and discussion. Trips out within the community also help to extend the children’s learning and knowledge of others.

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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 Children’s needs are met very well as they follow their daily routine. The childminder has built up a good and trusting relationship with the children that enables them to feel confident and happy within their surroundings. The children are starting to foster good relationships with one another and this is promoted through positive contributions by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn and have an awareness of boundaries and rules such as sharing and taking turns. Children’s care is enhanced through the childminder having a good working partnership with parents which impacts on the confidence and security of each child. Each parent has sufficient time to discuss their child’s progress on a daily basis with the childminder so they are fully informed about their child’s day. All parents get to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

read the childminder's polices and procedures and complete relevant paper work within the induction period. Although the childminder has good communication links with the parents, she was not clear about having a system in place for recording any complaints or issues that may be raised by the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel relaxed, secure and comfortable within the well organised environment. This enables them to be confident, energetic and engaged well in their play together. They seek adult support when needed, clearly showing confidence within their surroundings and the good relationship formed with the childminder. The childminder has access to extremely well organised records and documentation. There are good systems in place, for the sharing of information on a regular basis with parents, so they are kept fully informed about their child's well-being, progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively on the children. Children’s care and welfare is safeguarded at all times, by the childminder's good practice and awareness of procedures to follow. Overall the needs of all the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made for the childminder to ensure that she had in place contracts and complaints procedures to be provided for all parents. Contracts are now in place, however, complaints procedure and recording to be further developed. She was asked to ensure her husbands clearances were carried out and this has now happened, so children are fully protected as all people requiring checks have them in place. The childminder was to ensure that the fire blanket is installed for quick and easy use, according to use instructions. This is in place so children are safe. She has now obtained a copy of the Department of Health booklet "What to do if you have

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 concerns about a child"-summary, so she has good awareness of procedures to follow should she have concerns for a child’s welfare. She has obtained written consent from parents for any changes to the contract she has in place, to ensure children's care and welfare is maintained. Since the childminder's last inspection a complaint was investigated and actions were raised in conjunction of this .The childminder agreed not to exceed her registration numbers, and has applied for a variation of numbers as her youngest is now over eight years of age. She also agreed not to leave children unsupervised at any time, obtain permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle and make sure Ofsted is notified of any changes or significant events. All actions have been fully

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been a complaint since the last inspection that Ofsted have investigated. It was allegations of children being left unsupervised in a vehicle, an unregistered person collecting children and the childminder being over her numbers. The conclusion of the investigation was that the childminder admitted to leaving children with an unregistered person and on days being over her registered numbers. It was agreed with management that a written request to extend her registration would be granted and several actions were raised that have been addressed fully by the childminder.

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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): • ensure a robust system is in place for the sharing and recording of complaints with parents.

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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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