Childminder in Bedford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 259861 Inspection date 27 February 2006 Inspector Gyatri Rupal

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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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 15 in the village near Bedford, Bedfordshire. The whole ground and two bedrooms situated on the first floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden used for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and visits the local park. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight at any one time and is currently minding eight children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The

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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 childminder is also registered to provide overnight care to two children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean environment where they can play, rest and sleep according to their needs. They enjoy an appropriate range of indoor and outdoor activities which contributes to their health. For example, they have fun with pushing and pulling toys, play with balls, hula hoops , skip in the garden and they regularly walk to the local park. In the house they build with bricks, complete puzzles and jigsaws, paint and draw and dance along to music. Children are beginning to learn the importance of simple good hygiene practice through their daily routines. They have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing in the garden or using the toilet. Children are protected from infection due to the childminder having appropriate procedures in place. The childminder notifies parents of any illnesses within the family or minded children. Most of the required documentation, policies and

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Helping children to be healthy

procedures are in place, which promote children's good health. However, parental permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place, which can delay the child in receiving any emergency medical treatment. Children benefit from a healthy diet as the childminder encourages parents to provide healthy meals for their packed lunch and fresh fruits for snacks. Children are offered drinks throughout the day. Children are learning about a healthy diet as the childminder explains the benefit of healthy food.

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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, where risks are generally identified and minimised to keep them safe. Most of the time children are able to move around and express themselves independently and safely due to safety measure such as having electric covers in place and keeping dangerous substances out of reach of children. However, the toilet door lock is not safe and this could compromise children’s safety. Children are learning to keep themselves safe through the childminder's appropriate guidance. The childminder explains about dangers and safety. Children adhere to house rules. For example, they know not to move around when they are eating so they do not risk choking. They are learning about fire safety by practising fire drill. They are learning about road safety when they go out as the childminder explains about boundaries, holding hands and road safety rules before they go out. Children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

have independent safe access to a range of toys which encourage all areas of their development. This contributes to children being able to choose for themselves and

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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 helps with clearing away afterwards. Children are well protected because the childminder has a clear understanding of the issues and the procedures to follow in the event of child protection concerns. The parents are also made aware of the adult's duty to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled well with the childminder and feel secure in the stimulating environment as the childminder plans her daily routine and activities according to the individual child's interests by consulting parents. Children enjoy learning by taking part in a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities. They receive adult guidance to give them extra support if needed but their independence is promoted as much as possible. Their confidence and self-esteem is developed by the childminder who gives them frequent praise and encouragement at appropriate times. Children's sense of belonging is enhanced because the childminder knows children well and values their achievements which she shares with parents. The childminder plans activities effectively which helps to develop their knowledge and skills. For example, children learn to recognise different colours when they choose coloured trains. They count as they play with toys or sing nursery rhymes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Sharing books develops their literacy and communication skills. Children learn mathematical language when they cut shapes out of play-dough or are involved in cooking activities. They gain an understanding of matching and sequencing with activity games. Children have fun as they pair-up matching puzzles of different jobs the people do. The childminder helped children to develop their vocabulary as she asked appropriate questions to the child’s level. For example, the childminder asked the child who uses the tractor, which encouraged the child to talk about the farmer and his job duties. The childminder encourages the new baby to become a strong communicator by responding to the baby’s babbling sounds. She encourages the baby to talk by listening to nursery rhymes and introducing new words as she used the baby activity centre. Children learn about the natural environment on nature walks, collecting leaves and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

talking about recycling things to save the environment. Regular use of creative materials such as pencils, crayons, paint and dough encourages the children to represent their ideas in a variety of ways. They express their feelings and experiences through imaginary and creative play as they pretend to shop pushing a doll in a pram or prepare meals with the play food and have fun with a train set.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as the childminder follows their normal daily home routine, as discussed with their parents. Children have a good rapport with the childminder, which contributes to their

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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 sense of belonging. The childminder compliments children on their achievements and values their creations by sharing them with their parents. This promotes children’s confidence and self-esteem. They feel relaxed and secure and able to make independent choices about what they want to do. Children behave well most of the time. They understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods used by the childminder to manage behaviour. Children are learning to be considerate, share and take turns. They are polite, remembering to say please and thank you. The childminder provides a range of opportunities for the children to socialise which helps them make positive relationships with others. Their day is full of experiences which ensure they are making connections with their environment and learning about the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

local community. For example, they regularly visit local parents and toddler group, parks and places of interests such as the village’s historic places, Mill and Museum. They learn about the diversity through their daily activities and play resources. Children's feelings of security, consistency and belonging are promoted through the childminder's professional relationships with the parents. The childminder has a good system in place to share information with the parents ensuring parents are well informed about her practice and about their child’s day with her. For example, she provides an information folder to parents, which holds comprehensive details about her policies and procedures. Daily information is shared with parents about their child’s day and their achievements. Children are encouraged to take their art and craft work home and some of their homework to do with their parents. A good partnership with parents contributes significantly to children’s well-being in the

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well settled and feel at home due to the childminder’s appropriate organisation and good communication with parents. Space and equipment is prepared so that children can access resources easily and independently which enables them to make choices. A balance of child led activities and organised play ensure children have a range of different enjoyable experiences whilst they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel settled and relaxed. Children play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to. This has a positive impact on the children’s learning and development. Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has established with the parents. Most of the policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to

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Organisation

continuity in the children’s care. However, the childminder does not have an effective system in place to obtain all appropriate parents’ consent. The childminder plans her childminding commitments carefully to ensure that she has time to give children the individual attention they require. The childminder’s commitment, enthusiasm and enjoyment of what she does is reflected in the positive

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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 impact her service has. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a good system in place to share information with the parents ensuring they are well informed about her practice and about their child’s day with her. For example, she provides an information folder to parents which holds comprehensive details about her practice, policies and procedures. Children's knowledge about culture is enhanced through daily activities, play resources and visiting the local places of interests such as the village’s historic places, Mill and Museum.

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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 complaint made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those 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 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): • seek permission from parents for emergency medical treatment • assess the risks to children, with reference to the toilet door lock, and take action to minimise these.

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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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