Roman Fields

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136247 Inspection date 15 March 2006 Inspector Sue Hill

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 13 and 11 years in Yate, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used, as appropriate, for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a bird in a cage. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children and is currently minding 5 children under five part-time during the day and 2 children over five before and after school. The childminder walks drives to local schools to take and collect children. She also cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder takes

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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 children on outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene and personal care and are protected from infection through the childminder's clear sickness policy. Children's health is actively promoted. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She appropriately manages accidents and the administration of medication and shares the records with parents. Children learn about good hygiene practices through well-planned daily routines. Excellent procedures such as the childminder wearing disposable gloves for nappy changing and using individual flannels or towels for children sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. The management of pets and regular cleaning routines ensures that children play in a hygienic environment which minimises risk of infection. Children are able to enjoy a range of physical activities through using the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder’s well equipped garden. There are regular visits to the park and playgrounds to develop their physical skills, which are extended as the childminder has a good awareness of the children's different ages and capabilities. All are able to rest and be active according to their needs. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through encouragement from the childminder. The childminder works with parents to support healthy eating and ensures that special dietary requirements are met. Drinking beakers are frequently replenished, fruit is offered as a snack and children enjoy a healthy home cooked meal. Meals times are social occasions, as all children sit together at the table and talk to each other and the childminder. They benefit from the childminder's willingness to make meal times fun, for example, making faces from fruit on crackers or having a picnic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment where children are relaxed and safe. Young children are free to roam and investigate their open surroundings, under the watchful eye of the childminder. The ground floor is organised to meet children's needs with furniture placed to the side of the rooms to provide a large play space. Many of the clean and safe resources are kept in this area in cupboards and tubs. There is a strong child focus in the home which has been set up to encourage children to explore the resources, relax and enjoy being together. Children can independently access activities from a good range of safe 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 interesting toys and equipment. Their interest is sustained by regularly providing new resources which take into consideration each child's stage of development and how this can be extended further. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are able to access a good, safe range of outdoor equipment, for example tent, tunnels, hoops, balls and trampoline. Further equipment is used by the children when they visit the local park. Children are protected well from potential hazards. There is sufficient and appropriate, safety equipment in place, such as fire guards and gates. As the childminder has addressed potential hazards in the home, children's freedom is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

maximised. She is aware of potential hazards outside the home and puts appropriate measures in place so that children are safe. They learn to protect themselves, for example through learning about road safety and not talking to strangers. Children are kept safe through the childminder’s clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and regular practices of fire evacuation procedures. They are further protected by clear and well-detailed accident and medication records. The childminder has all the required documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and make good progress as the childminder is friendly and welcoming. She understands how to help children learn through practical activities. This enables them to practise and develop their skills. She promotes language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills and gestures to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. They relate appropriately to each other and regularly meet other children for social contact. This provides them with opportunities to develop and use their language skills. Children express themselves well, as the childminder skilfully engages them in conversation by asking open ended questions. This also encourages their language development and social skills. Children make sound and steady progress. The childminder is aware of each child’s

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

individual stage of development. Children's interest is sustained as the childminder actively participates in games, resulting in children wanting to learn and to try new things. They are happily and actively occupied. She gives children time to do things for themselves and offers encouragement so that they become independent, for example only helping to build the train track when the child asked for support. The childminder is aware of each child’s individual stage of development and is using the Birth to three matters framework. She is in the early stages of assessing children's achievements and planning their next stage of learning.

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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 The provision is good. The children learn about the diverse society in which we live through discussion and resources reflecting positive images of difference being included in everyday play. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, enabling children to learn about differences and linking with school activities for the older children. Awareness of their own environment is developed through use of the garden and local visits, for example, to the park and soft play. She walks to the local school and amenities, so that children become very familiar with their surroundings. Each child is special as their individual needs are met. This is achieved through discussion with parents and the childminder's good understanding of each child's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

stage of development and how to encourage this. She offers each child a high level of support and includes all children so that no child feels isolated, for example, by ensuring that a child with limited language is encouraged to express his needs. Children show care and concern for each other and play together harmoniously. They are well behaved and respond to the expectations of the childminder, who supports them in their emotional development by consistently praising and encouraging them. Children make themselves at home, becoming confident about making choices and asking what they want to play with from a young age. The children’s needs are well met as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Parents are welcomed into the home. Where there are specific concerns relating to a child, details are discussed and a common strategy is adopted so that children do not receive mixed messages. The childminders

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Helping children make a positive contribution

prospectus provides information about her services, enabling parents to be clear about what is available for their children. She works closely with parents following routines and shares important information with them in a daily diary and through discussion about children's needs and interests.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children’s individual needs are met and they make good progress, as the childminder is caring, conscientious and very well organised. They are at home and at ease in the friendly environment, which means they are confident and feel safe. The childminder provides an inviting environment so that children move around without being inhibited and confidently help themselves to toys they wish to play with. Activities and toys are well presented encouraging children to explore and initiate play. The childminder attends relevant training courses regularly, using the knowledge gained to support the children's learning. Good routine enables the childminder to provide a high level of support and to maximise the time she spends playing with children. Children's well-being is promoted through up to date documentation being confidentially maintained.

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Organisation

Information, policies and procedures are shared with parents to keep them informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the

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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 children’s care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has met the two recommendations given at her last inspection. She agreed to obtain parents permission and record all medication administered to children, and to practise her fire evacuation with the children. She now has comprehensive records around administering medication, and has practised her fire evacuation with the children, further improving their safety while in her care.

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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 the 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): • continue to develop and extend assessment and planning to further promote the younger children's learning through use of Birth to three matters framework.

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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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