Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY225218 Unique Reference Number 26 April 2006 Inspection date Susan Marriott Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 their 8-year-old daughter in their house in the Brickhill area of Bedford. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a safely enclosed rear garden. The childminder will now be registered to care for 6 children under 8 years. She is currently providing care for 2 children under 5 years during the day and 2 children under 8 years, and 2 children over 8 years for out of school hours care. The family has a Labrador dog, a rabbit and goldfish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy an extensive range of activities that actively contribute to their good health. Children have the opportunity to play every day in the garden and they walk everywhere with the childminder, as she delivers and collects children to and from schools and pre-schools. They enjoy regular visits to local parks, toddler groups and playgrounds. This supports the development and improvement of children’s physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after using the toilet reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children learn to keep themselves healthy as they blow their own noses and discard tissues appropriately. Young children are able to sleep according to their needs in a suitable quiet area of the house. The childminder has a clear informal hygiene policy which she implements consistently to prevent the spread of infection when dealing with bodily fluids and changing nappies. Sound procedures are in place for children who are unwell and the childminder always acts in the best interests of the child concerned. She maintains an accident book in accordance with requirements and keeps her first aid certificate up to date. This ensures that children receive appropriate treatment in case of a

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Helping children to be healthy

medical emergency. Appropriate parental permissions are in place to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that fresh fruit snacks are available for children but most parents choose to provide a packed lunch from home. The childminder finds that this offers increased flexibility when taking children out to parks and to play because the children can enjoy a picnic whenever they are hungry. Children enjoy choosing from the menu when they are out at a restaurant and can access drinks at all times so they do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for within a safe and secure home environment. The childminder makes good use of space to provide many purposeful activities and opportunities for children. Children independently select activities from a broad range of resources, efficiently stored in storage boxes brought into the living room. Toys and equipment are in a good state of repair and are age appropriate. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys, to ensure they are suitably challenging for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has identified and minimised all risks, ensuring children are able to move around and play safely, freely and independently. Appropriate safety measures are in place. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, and has clear rules and routines in order to maintain their safety outside the home. Children know the rules well. For example, a young child tells a doll to wear a seat belt during role play in an imaginary car. The childminder asks what will happen if the doll does not do so and the child replies that the doll will fly through the window and get hurt. The childminder safeguards

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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's welfare and has a simple written policy which is shared with parents. Children are safe with the childminder, who has a secure understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy themselves in this home from home environment and make good progress in learning, leisure and personal development. Children form good relationships with the childminder which makes them feel secure and fosters a sense of belonging. For example, they sit on the childminder's knee and help her to answer the inspector's questions. Children ask questions about why things are done in a particular way and the childminder responds with appropriate explanations. For example, the childminder turns the baby cradle away from the window and the older child asks why. The childminder explains that the baby is shielding it's eyes from the bright sunlight streaming through the window and that she is moving the chair so that the baby will be more comfortable. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they help to tidy up the town layout before lunch. The childminder reminds the children to tidy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

carefully and not to wave the pieces about near the baby. Their achievements are promptly and heartily acknowledged by the childminder, through lots of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make independent choices in their play and are able to choose from a wide variety of toys and equipment, which are stored within easy reach. The childminder is highly skilled at developing the children's knowledge and understanding through discussions and their play. The childminder is beginning to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support her work with children under three-years-old. A three-year-old proudly shows the inspector her special file which contains photographic evidence of the activities enjoyed at the childminder's home. These are annotated with observations and show a wide range of planned activities such as making Easter nests and cards, and a visit to a farm to help a man to hold the bottle to feed the lambs. The three-year-old excitedly told the inspector that a favourite activity is pizza making. The children enjoy making choices of toppings for their pizza, choosing from cheese,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ham, peppers, sweetcorn and pineapple. The children know which toppings they like and dislike and they decide not to put them on their pizza. Photographs show that a child found an interesting use for the balls in the ball pit at an indoor playground, showing that the child wanted to look like mummy!

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very attentive to the needs of the children and ensures they have a balanced and stimulating programme of activities throughout the day. Each child is able to have individual attention whilst one is resting, at school or not attending. They enjoy regular outings with their childminder, who takes them to a wide range of interesting places, including a pottery where the children choose a pot and decorate it and indoor play areas. The childminder meets up with other childminders to provide social opportunities for the children in her care. The group take turns to organise a special activity which then further extends the range of experiences for all of the children.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Anti-discriminatory practice is supported by this childminder who has a carefully considered approach to equal opportunities which is discussed with all parents. The childminder provides an effective range of resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, dolls which represent different cultures and books about other countries. Children learn about their local community as they visit the toddler group, pre-school and local parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show care and concern for each other and they behave very well in response to the childminder's consistent boundaries and high expectations. Children play together cooperatively, sharing and taking turns. They prepare to become independent learners by making choices and taking decisions in their play. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder gives lots of praise for their achievements and meets their needs through the daily routine as discussed with their parents. The childminder ensures that daily discussion about the service provided keeps parents informed about their child's activities. She maintains individual child records, annotated with observations and photographs to inform parents about their child's time in her care. She provides parents with ample opportunities to discuss any aspect of their children's welfare and respects their wishes about the care of their children. The childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

has not yet devised a system for recording any complaints in line with new requirements.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are genuinely happy in the well-organised care of this flexible and caring childminder, who prioritises continuity of care for children despite recently moving to the opposite side of the town. She combines this conscientious approach with her maternal experience to promote very good outcomes for children. Children are well-protected and cared for by this childminder with a good knowledge and understanding of child development. Children feel part of an extended family and are gently nurtured in the interesting and stimulating environment. The childminder is highly professional in delivering all aspects of her service and uses her developing formal procedures and routines to effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. The childminder up-dates her knowledge through contact with other childminders and reading relevant literature, seeking to further enhance her good practice. All written parental

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Organisation

permissions are in place and the childminder effectively meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, two recommendations were made to improve practice further. The childminder was asked to develop her own knowledge of a range of special needs and to consider the development of good practice when working with parents. The childminder chose to write policies which cover, for example, sample menus, a written account of behaviour management strategies and procedures for child protection. The childminder has increased her experience of children with special needs through learning how to care for such a child on a day to day

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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 basis in a practical context. She maintained a behaviour management book which helped her to work in partnership with parents to meet the needs of the child.

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Complaints 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 made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised about the behaviour of the childminder towards children in her care. These concerns relate to National Standards 2: Organisation; 3: Care, Learning and Play; 9: Equal Opportunities; and 11: Behaviour. Ofsted made an unannounced visit on 30th September 2005 but could find no evidence to substantiate these concerns. No further action will be taken at this time. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • devise a system for recording any complaints in line with new legislation issued October 2005.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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