Childminder in WiltshireOfsted inspection, 30 Mar 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 161632 Inspection date 30 March 2006 Inspector Charlotte Jenkin

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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 has been registered since 1998. She is registered to care for no more than 6 children under 8 years. She is not registered to provide overnight care. She currently cares for 1 child full-time and 4 children part-time. She lives with her husband and 2 children in a house in the Pewsham area of Chippenham, within walking distance of the local park and school. The whole house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have 1 rabbit.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and Trio Network. She attends local toddler and pre-school activity groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in warm, clean and well maintained premises. The childminder records all accident and medication records accurately and shares these with parents. She has an up-to-date first aid certificate and gains consent for seeking emergency treatment for all of the children, except for one that she has overlooked. Children's health and welfare in the event of an accident or when taking medication is, therefore, mostly protected. The childminder practises good hygiene routines with the children, and encourages good hand washing routines, therefore, children are not at risk from cross infection. Hand drying arrangements prevent the spread of germs, as each child has their own labelled hand towel, therefore, they are not at risk from cross contamination. The sickness policy is formally shared with parents, as well as exclusion periods for illnesses. Hence, children are not exposed to unnecessary

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Helping children to be healthy

illness. The childminder gains detailed information from parents regarding children's likes and dislikes with respect to food, as well as any allergies or dietary needs. These are respected and well catered for and children are encouraged to make healthy choices, as they are offered and contentedly eat fruit for snack. Younger children bring their own packed lunches to the childminder's house and these are stored appropriately in the fridge to protect the children's health. Older children have balanced meals cooked for them by the childminder, and these are nutritious and include dishes, such as spaghetti bolognaise and curry and rice. They learn about the effects of a healthy and balanced diet on their growth and development. Children have access to drinks at all times and have enough fluids throughout the day. Children have access to a very good range of physical activity. Children enjoyed playing in the garden with the ride-in cars and tractor and appeared enthusiastic

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Helping children to be healthy

about going outside, being keen to get on their coats and shoes. They have access to a good range of equipment that helps their physical skills, for example, trampoline, balls and ride on toys. Children go to soft play areas twice a week where they are able to run around and climb on the equipment. They also go to the park on a regular basis, and are encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in safe premises as the childminder has identified all potential hazards in her house and effectively minimised these. Children are, therefore, able to move around the premises from room-to-room with confidence and in safety. The premises are secure and children are not able to leave them unsupervised. The fire

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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 evacuation plan is very well monitored for it's effectiveness and all drills are recorded in detail. The children know exactly what to do in the event of the smoke alarm going off and are involved in keeping themselves safe and learning about the importance of this. The childminder has a clear emergency plan in place which is shared with parents, therefore, children's welfare in the event of an emergency is prioritised. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when out, as the childminder re-enforces the importance of road safety when out walking with them. Children are cared for in child friendly and welcoming premises, which are well organised to meet the needs of the children. They have free access to the downstairs of the house, with a playroom for free play, kitchen for messy play and eating, areas

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

for resting and for quiet activities. The environment is welcoming to the children, and they are able to select resources and activities independently and initiate their own play and learning. They have access to a good range of toys and equipment that are suitable for their ages and stages of development, and these cover all areas of development. Children's welfare is likely to be safeguarded as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. Her child protection duties are formally shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's care. They eagerly explore the toys and activities, for example, musical toys, shape sorters and cars. Children develop a close bond with the childminder and readily approach her for comfort, for example, a cuddle, or to request activities, for example, holding out the buggy for the childminder to put up. The childminder responds quickly to these requests, which helps builds children's self-confidence, as they are being responded to and their needs are being well met. Children are keen to explore the toys on offer, and are well engaged in their play, as the childminder gets down to their level and sustains their interests, therefore, they are able to develop good levels of concentration. The childminder interacts very well with the children which encourages their language development well. She quickly responds to their attempts to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

communicate, for example, one child was struggling to get out the buggy and was using a high pitched tone of voice. The childminder quickly got out the buggy and said 'shall I do this for you?'. Children, therefore, know they are being understood and this gives them the confidence to communicate more and have their needs and requests realised by the childminder. Children also begin to make connections, knowing, for example, when they press the red button, the balls spin around. Children have opportunities to be creative, being able to use their senses to explore textures, for example, when using the glue. Children develop a positive self-image, as they clap and smile at their own achievements, with the childminder 's encouragement. The childminder plans a good range of activities that help the children make progress in all areas of development. They have opportunities for art and craft, exploration,

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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 music, looking at books, imaginative play and physical play. Children also engage in family type activities, for example, gardening and cooking. Older children also have access to a good range of activities, for example, tossing pancakes for pancake day, making Mother's day cards, icing biscuits, dressing up and playing computer games. Children demonstrate a sense of belonging in the childminder's care, and freely move around the premises, access toys of their choices, knowing where to get items, and where to go for snack and to wash their hands. Children are able to make choices in their play, and have made a photographic display of themselves engaged in the activities they enjoy participating in, for example, playing on the trampoline, painting and cooking.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the solid partnership with parents as their care needs and routines are fully respected. The childminder records detailed information about these, and children are cared for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder exchanges information with parents daily, both verbally and in writing for younger children. Parents contribute to these, and share information with her about what their child has done at home. This enables the childminder to be aware of changing routines and offer the children continuity of care. Children are able to share their day with their parents, as they take items home that they have made, for example, art and craft items. The childminder also keeps a scrap book for each child which contains photos of them engaged in activities or on outings, so their parents are able to see exactly what their child has been doing with her. The childminder regularly praises the children for their achievements, for example,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

when children share the toys. This enables the children to know when they have done something well and to feel good about themselves. She is able to diffuse potentially difficult situations very quickly, sensitively and using age appropriate methods, and works closely with parents regarding managing children's behaviour. This ensures they receive consistent messages both whilst in her care and at home. The childminder is a good role model and is very respectful to the children. They, therefore, learn right from wrong, are able to develop skills in sharing and their behaviour is good. Children's individuality is extremely well respected as the childminder knows the children very well and fully takes account of their individual needs. Children have regular opportunities to explore their local environment, for example, toddler groups, other childminder's houses, soft play areas and trips to various parks. They are able

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to become familiar with the locality and to socialise with other children. Children have access to range of resources that promote positive images of diversity, for example, puzzles and books and dolls. They also engage in activities that help them learn about the lives of others, and develop respect for these, for example, food tasting, using chop sticks and dressing up in dress from around the world. They develop suitable levels of independence, and are able to select toys and make choices in their play. Children with special educational needs have their development fully supported in line with parents' advice.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are cared for by a suitable and well qualified childminder. She has attended and continues to develop her knowledge in the early years, and is currently studying for an NVQ level 3 in childcare and education. She has also attended vast amounts of training courses, including, Birth to three matters, healthy eating and behaviour management. This enables her to offer the children new care and learning opportunities, which in turn enhances their experiences within the setting. The childminder maintains the required adult to child ratios at all times. Children, therefore, receive quality adult support, as the childminder is able to spend quality time playing and interacting with the children, and supporting their development fully. The register is all accurate and up-to-date and shows a true record of all persons

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Organisation

present. Most necessary consents are gained from parents for routine activities, including the use of the trampoline, emergency treatment and outings, which safeguards children's welfare suitably and means children are cared for in line with parents' wishes. However, the childminder has overlooked gaining consent for transporting children and for seeking emergency treatment for one of the children in her care, and this has the potential to compromise their safety and well-being, and she has not gained consent for taking photos of the children whilst in her care. All policies and procedures are consistently implemented which fully promotes children's welfare, care and learning. All required documentation is kept secure, and available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to obtain a suitable first aid qualification, ensure separate entries are made in the daily register for each child and ensure that records of medicines include details of dosages and are signed by parent and childminder. Finally, she agreed to make parents aware of Ofsted's role as mediator in any complaints procedure and to obtain public liability insurance and display the certificate in a prominent position. Childminder now has an up-to-date first aid certificate, and as this is due to run out she has already booked on a course to renew this. All medication records are accurate, up-to-date and include details of dosages, and are signed by the parent and childminder. The complaints procedure is on display for all parents to see, and the childminder has made all parents aware of this. The childminder has public liability insurance and this is valid.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they

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Complaints 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 can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • ensure all necessary consents are gained from parents for routine activities, including consent for seeking emergency treatment and taking photos of the children

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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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