Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 154011 Inspection date 03 February 2006 Inspector Juliet Eileen Hartridge

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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 2001 and works as a childminding partnership with his wife. They live in Teignmouth and have two school-aged children. They live in walking distance of local swing parks and shops, and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. Children play on the ground floor where they have use of a large playroom with a second room immediately off this area. There is an enclosed front and rear garden. The childminder is registered to care for up to 6 children under the age of 8 years, or 12 children when working with another childminder, of whom no more than 6 may be aged under 5 years. There are currently 7 children enrolled. The childminder who belongs to the local childminding network and is working

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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 towards an early years qualification, follows the 'Children Come First' quality assurance programme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have very good opportunities to participate and benefit from regular physical play. Children enjoy dancing to music every day, and there is a wide range of stimulating equipment and resources available to support and encourage their vigorous play. Younger children enjoy carefully progressing along the balancing beam as they find their way along their imaginary beanstalk, and also enjoy obstacle courses. Children benefit from a wide range of outdoor activities. Older children can relax after school when they scramble up the large climbing frame and bounce on the trampoline, or enjoy making dens. Interesting walks and outings are a regular feature of the daily routine. Children have a balanced and healthy diet, and careful consideration is given to their individual dietary needs. The menu plan of mostly home cooked food is varied and nutritious. Children enjoy healthy snacks, including fresh and dried fruits, toast and

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Helping children to be healthy

spreads. Children's enjoyment of food is encouraged when mealtimes are made fun and interesting. For example children could choose to have a 'picnic lunch' on a rug in the kitchen, when they were given a wide range of healthy food choices to choose from. Children's health is well protected as they are cared for in a clean, tidy and well maintained home. Rigorously hygienic nappy changing routines and disposal methods are used. Documentation is fully maintained and includes medication consents and administration records, as well as clear and confidential accident records. Older children confidently wash their hands after using the toilet, or before they help prepare the lunch, however children do not always routinely wash their hands before mealtimes and therefore have insufficient opportunities to learn about independent personal care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is carefully maintained. They are cared for in a safe, inviting, stimulating yet very safe environment, where they can play safely whilst they are vigilantly supervised. Low tables and chairs enable children of different ages to join in and safely enjoy table top activities together. The wide range of toys and resources are clean and well maintained, very safely and invitingly stored and appropriate for the varying needs of the children attending. Children learn to take responsibility for their own safety when safety on chairs is discussed. Crawling babies are taught to move between the rooms safely, when they learn to crawl down the step backwards.

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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 The risk of injury to children is minimised due to the responsible and conscientious approach of the childminder. Very detailed risk assessments of the indoor and outdoor play environment and equipment are undertaken twice a year. Children are very well protected due to the security measures implemented, these include secure garden gates and safety alarm on the main door. Children are very well protected from the risks of fire. Appropriate fire fighting equipment is close to hand, and children can see the fire evacuation plan, which is practised and evaluated regularly. Children learn about the importance of fire safety when they visit the local fire station. Children's safety on outings is well supported due to the careful supervision provided as well as regular discussions regarding road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected from harm due to the childminder's level of understanding regarding child protection issues. The childminder is very well aware of his responsibility to protect children in his care as well as appropriate procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, happy and secure in a friendly environment where they enjoy themselves and are helped to achieve. The childminder is warm and responsive towards the children. Spontaneous discussions take place when children are encouraged to recall past events, talk about what they are doing and express their opinions. All children are skilfully included, such as when babies use chunky chalks to draw on thick paper, or play enthusiastically with the musical instruments, alongside older children. Babies are therefore very well cared for. Activities are fun and relevant to the children, whose imaginations are stimulated, when they play on 'the beanstalk' obstacle course, search for 'gold' in Jacks house, or talk about the story. The childminder is well aware of the stages of development of babies and toddlers. Plans and daily records clearly indicate what the children have

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

done and how he provides increasing challenges which help them progress to the next stage of their development. Children are encouraged with warm good humour when they enthusiastically help to prepare lunch or assemble the play equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs and stages of development are very well considered by the childminder. Resources are used skilfully to engage and interest children, including puppets or music. Children who have special needs are very well supported and included. Children are learning to value diversity and the wider community when they play with ethnic dolls and their clothing, or enjoy multi-cultural musical instruments. Children have excellent opportunities to enjoy festivals celebrated in various cultures including Diwali and Chinese New Year. Children benefit from being cared for by a positive male role model in a friendly family environment. Children are well behaved, they are settled and eager to play together. They happily

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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 take turns, share and take care of each other when they play on the balancing beam or obstacle course. Children are learning about certain expectations such as caring for books properly and not running in the playroom, and are regularly praised by the childminder when they have done well. The childminder is calm and positive, and uses very helpful strategies to encourage children. These include reward stickers for specific achievements and good behaviour certificates. Their self-esteem and sense of belonging is very well promoted as their art work and models are on prominent display, and digital photographs of them at play with their friends runs on the computer during the day. Parents are extremely well informed about the care provided for their children. The daily routines and procedures are recorded in the informative parents' handbook,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

which is discussed before the childminder starts to care for children. Children are helped to feel secure when parents are encouraged to settle them gradually, and the childminder clearly identifies the needs and interests of the children with their parents, before they start. Informative daily diaries are maintained and keep parents well informed about the day's activities and achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The care of the children is greatly enhanced by the good organisation evident in the home. A welcoming and comfortable child-friendly environment has been created. The play room is interesting and inviting, and resources are tidily but accessibly stored where children can easily access them independently. A second room as well as the garden are used and well equipped for more physical activities. Children therefore benefit from playing in a variety of environments during the day. Team work is effectively used when the day is planned, this ensures the children are appropriately supervised and have a varied and enjoyable day. For example the childminder may take younger children out whilst older children participate in small group, structured activities with the other childminder. Documentation is very effectively used to support the safe care of children. These include detailed registers of attendance and detailed information records about the

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Organisation

children. Consents regarding emergency medical treatment and outings are obtained from parents. All documentation is securely and confidentially stored. The childminder has a strong commitment to training and developing his childcare knowledge and practice, which enhances the care provided for children. Training is regularly undertaken, this includes training regarding special educational needs, child protection and Birth to three matters framework. He is currently undertaking National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in childcare and education. The childminder evaluates his practice and care by regular discussion with parents and the use of self-assessment documents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom he provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the stairs could be made inaccessible to children. The childminder has installed a substantial gate, which prevents children accessing the staircase. This has improved safety for children.

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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 required by 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): • further develop opportunities for children to take increasing responsibility for their personal hygiene, particularly hand washing before meals

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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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