Childminder in Bedford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY222491 Inspection date 23 February 2006 Inspector Paula Jane Hayhow

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged six years and under 1 year, in the town of Kempston close to Bedford in Bedfordshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden and six parks, close to the family home, available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five years on a full time basis. She also

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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 cares for four children over five years who attend on a part-time basis before or after school. She does not provide overnight care. The local schools and shops are within walking distance. The childminder regularly attends the local toddler groups. The family has a hamster, cockatiel and rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are nourished and their health is well promoted due to the childminder's knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. She encourages snacks such as fruit and cucumber slices and works with the parents to ensure that children are offered wholesome options in their lunch boxes. The childminder discusses individual dietary requirements with parents and keeps a record of these so that any particular needs of the children can be met. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained home. Their health is promoted as there are good hygiene procedures such as washing hands after using the bathroom or touching the animals. Children participate in a wide range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for outdoor activities, such as walks from school and to the local parks, or playing in the garden with the basket ball, tents, tunnels, scooter, cars, croquet set, slide or swing ball. This

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Helping children to be healthy

helps children develop control of their bodies, building on their coordination skills to improve their physical abilities. The children are beginning to understand their own physical needs, for example, they know when they need a rest or drink. All children are able to participate in the activities because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She provides appropriate activities and supports the children well so that they have confidence to try out new skills and experiences.

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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 and generally safe environment and are therefore able to move around independently and freely. The childminder is aware of risks, both in and out of the house, and has taken steps to minimise these. The safety of the children is promoted by the procedures she has established such as regular fire drills and by teaching the children the basic rules of road safety. However, children's safety could be compromised as they have access to hazardous items such as telephone wires and plastic bags in the drawers, the vacuum cleaner and the kettle. The children use safe resources and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are stimulating and appropriate for the age and developmental stage of the children. She has a buying programme linked with children's development and interests, for example, recently she has provided the children with a home corner

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

including the kitchen units and cooking equipment. Some of the children were having

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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 difficulties with lacing their shoes and the childminder has provided a lacing game to aid them in this skill. Children are able to independently select activities from a wide range of quality toys and equipment. The childminder sensitively supervises the children’s choice of toys and activities, ensuring that they are safe and appropriate. The children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has most of the required documents in place. She holds a current first aid certificate and has a sound understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, settled, and very interested in their play. They happily choose activities and resources independently. They enjoy a wide range of activities that cover all areas of development and encourages them to explore and learn about their environment. These include creative work such as drawing, cooking gingerbread men and painting their faces as well as play dough and holiday outings to the farm, seaside, theatre or parks. Children have a good relationship with the childminder who uses her knowledge of child development to adapt activities so that they are appropriate and promote children’s learning, ensuring that all children spend their time purposefully. The childminder is particularly good at responding to the children's questions and interests. The children are therefore given clear reasons and explanations, increasing their understanding of their environment and the wider world. The children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

independence is well fostered as they freely make choices about toys, books and activities and help out with homely activities such as laying the table and learning to lace their shoes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures that she is aware of the children's individual needs and meets these, for example, they have a flexible daily routine which allows time for them to play, rest and interact, as discussed with their parents. The childminder has a positive relationship with the parents keeping them well informed of their child's progress through the use of daily dialogue, a notice board, newsletter and a portfolio detailing the childminder's practises. The children show care and affection for each other and the childminder, playing together and learning about sharing and turn-taking. The older children often help the younger ones by collecting their toys or playing gently with them. Their behaviour is good and they are confident within the childminder's home, contentedly making choices about their play. This is further reinforced by the childminder's good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

understanding of the importance of setting consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children. The childminder appreciates the importance of providing a range of activities and resources to promote positive images of society and increase children’s

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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 understanding of this. The children are learning about their local community on routine outings to local parks, toddler group, library, market and shops. The wider world is being promoted by discussions and craft work relating to different cultures and their festivals such as Divali and Chinese New Year.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises all aspects of her work effectively, helping the children to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home. They are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning. The individual needs of the children are effectively met by the childminder through her procedures to ensure that she has relevant information on the children. She regularly discusses this with the parents. However, children's safety could be compromised as the attendance register does not always document the exact times the children attend and some permissions are not consistently sought and this could possibly lead to misunderstandings between parents and the childminder thus jeopardising their relationship. The permissions referred to are for the use of plasters and for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice. The children's emotional and physical development is promoted through the

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Organisation

childminder's attention to detail in planning and organising her daily work, which ensures that children are offered a range of stimulating activities and opportunities and that all are able to participate. Overall, the needs of the children who attend are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked at the previous inspection to conduct risk assessments of safety in the home, with particular reference to the glass cabinet and to consider ways in which she could encourage children to eat a more healthy diet in partnership with parents. The childminder has made the glass cabinet safe by having it double glazed with toughened glass and she has given guidance to parents as to what are healthy options in the packed lunch boxes. She has various publications relating to healthy eating which she shares with her parents. These measures further improve the children safety, welfare and security.

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

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Complaints 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 made to Ofsted.

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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 that the children cannot access the plastic bags, telephone wires in the drawers, the hover or the kettle • ensure that the attendance record documents the actual times the children attend and that necessary permissions are in place. This refers to the seeking of emergency treatment or advice and the administering of plasters.

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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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