Comley Dawn

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

161919 Unique Reference Number 19 May 2006 Inspection date Joyce Bowler Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and six in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. All areas of her home are used for childminding purposes, including the garden.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight years, and no assistant is employed. She has 11 children on roll currently and they each attend on a part-time basis.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's accidents and medication needs are recorded accurately and shared with parents. Parents give prior consent for the childminder to seek emergency advice or treatment. The childminder is currently updating her first aid qualification in order that children's minor injuries are treated appropriately.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning good hygiene routines as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They are protected from cross infection as they use individual towels to dry their hands. Younger children use wet-wipes. Children are protected at all times as the childminder is equally vigilant about their hygiene on outings.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met well as the childminder encourages healthy eating. Children benefit from a good choice of healthy snacks which include fresh fruit and breadsticks. Children are able to access drinks in appropriate drinking beakers and cups. These are readily available and refilled as required.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a good range of activities which develop their physical skills both indoors and out. This includes going for walks, swimming and using the wide range of good quality play equipment in the garden. These include ride on and push along toys, a trampette, swings, slide, a mini badminton set and garden tools.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a highly safe and welcoming environment where the childminder identifies and minimises risks both in her home and on outings. For example the childminder has produced a handy travel pack of children's information and a first aid kit to use when away from home. She uses the appropriate restraints and car seats. Children benefit from a very good range of toys and equipment which covers ages from birth to over eight. The childminder caters for children's individual interests, for example 'Hot Wheels' cars are the favourite new interest for some of the children and she is buying a variety of these for her stocks. Younger children are protected from the smaller pieces of some older children's games by the childminder's sensible and careful storage.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All equipment is in good order and is checked regularly. In the garden children can play in safety as the childminder has created zoned areas for particular equipment, such as the swings, and added safety features such as the trampoline net. Children benefit from a safe environment indoors with steps taken to provide safety for each child's stage of development. For example use of the stair gate, socket covers and a baby monitor in the bedroom used for sleeping. Her home is clean and well maintained.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Additional steps to maintain a safe environment are recorded in the emergency fire evacuation plans, child protection procedures and car documents held on file.

p.3

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 childminder safeguards and promotes the children's welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled as the childminder organises her home well to provide an attractive and homely play environment. Children benefit from daily routines with the emphasis being on learning through play. The childminder enjoys her work and exploits every day activities, such as going shopping, for fun and learning. All children have opportunities for outings such as swimming, going to the library or the soft-play centre and to the park to feed the ducks. Children are encouraged to develop their social skills by attending toddler groups. Children enjoy activities which are adjusted to their interests and abilities, for example by attending the library to learn how to treat books well and to choose titles for themselves.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive attentive care from the childminder with appropriate levels of affection. For example when the childminder picked up and reassured a younger child when I arrived at her home. Children respond well to good communication and well supported play. The good range of resources on offer supports the wide range of choice for each child. Individual interests are fostered through the childminding buying specific toys, for example particular models of cars in the 'Hot Wheels' range. Children use posters in the kitchen as a stimulus for conversation and to help them to learn colours and numbers and to name animals.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language development is encouraged through constant chat and communication, for example teaching the names and colours of objects as they play with the tea set together. Babies and younger children are learning to use toys and equipment appropriately as the childminder models play and gives them her whole attention. She would like to access Birth to Three Matters training in order to improve her provision for this age range further.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy in the care of the childminder due to her good settling in procedures and her extensive knowledge of each child. Children benefit from the childminder's effective partnerships with parents. The childminder gains knowledge of the children in order to offer appropriate care and shares her policies, procedures and working documents with parents in a folder of information. The childminder produces newsletters for parents with seasonal information, for example the summer letter reminds parents of the need to supply hats and sun cream and safety rules for use of the garden paddling pool.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The individual needs of children are met as they have access to toys and equipment which are relevant to their interests, ages and stages of development. No children with learning difficulties or disabilities attend currently, however the childminder is confident to discuss children's needs with their parents and other involved professionals as needed.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to say please and thank you. Older children who are minded after school have devised a set of house rules which are displayed in the kitchen. Children are

p.4

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 encouraged to share and to play well together. Children of all ages benefit from the childminder's thoughtful planning of activities when varying ages attend together. This ensures that their needs continue to be met and that they are happy in her care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for which she provides.

p.5

Organisation

She demonstrates good record keeping practice and maintains all documentation required to support the good level of care in her home. Children benefit from the well organised homely environment where daily routines enhance children's experiences. The childminder is currently updating her knowledge and skills for first aid. The childminder displays her registration certificate and fire evacuation procedures and provides information for parents regarding Ofsted and how to make contact in case of a complaint.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment and to practise an emergency fire escape plan. These have been met in full as documentation now includes this written permission from all parents and the childminder has practised each of the three evacuation routes that she has identified. Details of these are displayed in the kitchen. Children benefit from improvements to both documentation and procedures which promote their health and safety.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see and request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • consult the Birth to Three Matters framework in order to further develop the provision for minded children aged under three.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6