Childminder in GloucestershireOfsted inspection, 22 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY232852 Inspection date 22 February 2006 Inspector Glenda Sinclair

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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 first registered in 2003. She lives with her 4-year-old daughter in a four bedroom house in Prestbury, which is to the north east of Cheltenham. Her home is within walking distance of local shops, a library and Prestbury St Mary's Primary School. The family have one cat. The childminder uses her kitchen, lounge, downstairs toilet, one bedroom and the enclosed rear garden to care for children. The childminder, who is a qualified early years teacher, is a member of the National Childminding Association. She currently has 7 children on her books.

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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 have ample fresh air and exercise as they walk backwards and forwards to school and the shops. They also visit soft play areas, play bowls and hide-and-seek in the house and benefit from the large apparatus at the local toddler group. Children learn about personal hygiene as the childminder reminds them to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The childminder has a sickness policy to remind parents when it is better for their child to stay at home. The family cat is cared for appropriately with all the necessary vaccinations and treatments to minimise the risk of cross-infection. The childminder is very anxious to provide a nutritious diet and she has recently altered her menus to include more fruit and fresh vegetables. She encourages children to make healthy choices and discusses this with them, as she takes them on trips to the local supermarket to select items for their lunch. Children choose from a

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Helping children to be healthy

selection of milk, water, fruit juice or very weak squash for their drinks. These are freely available to prevent dehydration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder is very safety and security conscious. Her home is clean, warm and child-friendly. Her toys are in very good condition and pose no safety risk to children. She has an excellent lost child procedure and a carefully thought-out emergency evacuation procedure. Whilst children are present, outer doors are locked so that children are unable to leave the premises unaccompanied. When children are out walking with the childminder, younger ones are harnessed in the buggy and older children hold onto the buggy. In safe areas, children are allowed to run on but they are aware that they must stop when the childminder tells them to do so. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the issues surrounding child protection and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about the welfare of an individual child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young children enjoy their play very much. The childminder sits with toddlers, praising and encouraging them to persevere with their chosen game. They learn to socialise as the childminder takes them to toddler group or to a coffee morning with other childminders. They walk to the library to choose books for themselves and go to the local supermarket to help choose items for their lunch. The childminder turns these occasions into learning experiences by encouraging children to make choices, discussing healthy eating and counting items as they go into the bag.

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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 The childminder plans a variety of interesting and stimulating activities for the children. They have many opportunities to develop their creative abilities as they cut, stick, paint, print, make models with recycled materials and sing and dance. The childminder makes it possible for all children to be included by adapting activities for the younger children so that they can gain a sense of achievement by finishing a sticking picture just like the older children. They enjoy reading stories and acting out situations, such as 'taking the cat to the vets'. They play board games and games such as snap, where they learn to take turns, to win and to lose.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children well and responds to their individual needs. She is happy to sit and cuddle a tired toddler until he gives in and drifts off to sleep. She has a good range of resources promoting a positive image of difference and is prepared to discuss with children why some people need to wear glasses and others need to use a wheelchair. She is willing to care for children with special needs and prepared to buy extra equipment if it is necessary. The childminder has high expectations of good behaviour. She uses praise very naturally to reward and encourage children to behave well. She expects good manners and politeness and children respond to this. If there are petty squabbles amongst the children, the childminder prefers to sit back and wait for a while to allow children to learn how to negotiate a solution to their differences. The childminder has a good partnership with parents. She encourages them to keep her informed if their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

child has had a bad night or is upset about something so that she can deal with the child sensitively. In turn, the childminder gives regular feedback to the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home, time and resources well to provide a good standard of care and stimulation for children. She is able to evaluate her own practice and pick out areas where she could usefully improve. She has already worked on her provision of healthy eating to good effect and now intends to turn her attention to her provision of role play and activities such as cookery. Her register is up-to-date and recording accurately the times of children's arrival and departure. All other required documentation is in place. She has put together a set of policies and procedures which are available to parents. All necessary permissions have been obtained. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder was asked to check that her car insurance covered her for carrying minded children. She has done this and children are able to

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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 travel in her car fully protected by insurance. She was also asked to request written parental permission to seek emergency advice or treatment. These permissions are now in place and children's health and safety is adequately protected.

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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 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): • enhance professional development by continuing to expand role play activities and creative activities such as cookery

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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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