Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY226948 Inspection date 21 March 2006 Inspector Lorraine Sparey

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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 a childminder since 2001. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 9 and 7 years. They live in a house approximately one mile from Christchurch town centre, close to schools, shops and parks. The whole of the property is used for childminding, with the exception of the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. A maximum of three children may attend at any one time. There are currently four children on roll, who all attend on a part time basis.

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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 family have several pets: two dogs; a hamster; and a cat, all of which have some contact with the children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, and holds a National Vocational Qualification level three, in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Babies and toddlers general health and wellbeing is supported by the childminder. She follows their home routines with regard to sleeping and feeding. Their toys are thoroughly cleaned daily to reduce the risk of infection. Children eat healthy meals which are provided by the parents and supplemented by the childminder. She has completed a food hygiene course which ensures children receive food which has been stored and prepared appropriately. Children have access to drinks throughout the day which ensure they are never thirsty. Children learn the importance of the following appropriate personal hygiene routines. The childminder explains to the baby and younger children about washing hands before meals. They use suitable resources such as liquid soap and paper towels to reduce cross-infection. Children's health is supported by the childminder implementing suitable procedures, such as applying sun cream. However, she has

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Helping children to be healthy

recently updated her policies and procedures and has not included written consent for emergency medical advice or treatment. This means children's health is compromised in the event of an emergency. Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise on a regular basis. They enjoy daily walks to and from school. Children's physical skills develop as they climb, slide and swing on the equipment in the childminder's garden. She encourages new skills, such as jumping, hopping and catching the ball. Children regularly go with the childminder to walk the dogs on the beach or to the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from being able to safely and freely access a broad range of quality toys and equipment. The toys are well maintained, they are cleaned and checked to maintain their continued suitability. The childminder rotates the toys depending on the ages of the children attending that day to ensure they have safe choices in their play. Children are learning to keep themselves safe by the childminder's clear explanations throughout the day. For example, reminding children not to tread on the bricks as they will hurt their feet. She gently reminds children to help put the toys away to prevent accidents. Sleeping babies safety is maintained through the childminder frequently checking them as they sleep in the next room.

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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 The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection. She has attended various training courses in this area to increase her knowledge and her confidence in recognising and reporting concerns. She has devised a policy and procedure which is shared with parents. This helps them in understanding her role in protecting children from harm and neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and secure in the childminder's care. Excellent interaction between the childminder and the children builds their self-esteem and confidence. For example, a 2-year-old child became excited when she completed the Postman Pat puzzle. The childminder commented, "well done, you'll really good at puzzles". Children persevere at chosen activities due to the childminder's positive approach. She encouraged a child who was completing a puzzle to "give it a wiggle" until she was able to slot the piece in, the childminder then smiled and clapped. Children's language is developing well through the childminder's constant talking and reading stories. Children benefit from the childminder's skill in including all the children in a story regardless of their age. Children's mathematical skills develop well as the childminder incorporates into their play, for example, counting the number of bricks

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as they build the tower. Children enjoy a wide range of outings in the community and to places of interest, such as 'Alice in Wonderland' theme park where they can enjoy going around the maze, Moors Valley Country Park and the beach. Children regularly attend toddler groups in the local area which increases their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well met. Their interests are taken into account when the childminder is planning the day. She discusses their individual routines with regard to feeding and sleeping with parents to ensure she is able to follow them. Children benefit from the childminder's in-depth discussions with regard to their child's favourite toys, family members and any special names or words they may use. The childminder talks with the children about their families, for example, whilst one of the children was completing a transport puzzle she talked about mummy drives a car like that, another child's daddy drives a truck. Children receive clear messages that help them understand right from wrong. The childminder is consistent in her approach to managing children's behaviour. She is a positive role model and continually praises and encourages children. For example, she explains to the baby that the 2-year-old was reading the book, "lets give it back,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

please" and follows up by thanking the baby. The childminder develops positive relationships with all the parents. She provides them with a written diary detailing activities that the child has participated in, any

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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 outings they have been on and other useful information. This is in addition to the informal feedback each day. The childminder has devised a range of policies to support her in her practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to training. She regularly attends courses and workshops to increase her knowledge and understanding of relevant childcare issues. This helps her to promote the outcomes for children. In general the required records are in place, however, since updating her own permission forms, written permission from parents in the event of an emergency is not in place. This means children's safety in the event of emergency is compromised. All documentation is stored securely to maintain confidentiality. Children can safely and freely move between the various play areas, increasing their play opportunities. The resources are well-organised to support their choices in their play. The space is well-organised to meet all the varying children's needs. For example, babies can safely sleep undisturbed next door to where the other children

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Organisation

are happily playing. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given two recommendations. The first was to ensure books are easily accessible to the children and the second was to obtain play resources that provide positive images of disability. The childminder has sorted the books into age appropriate boxes which are stored on floor level to allow children to freely access. This means children have opportunities to look at books and the enjoyment of the childminder reading stories to them. Some of the books provide positive images of disabilities which increases children's awareness and understanding of our diverse society

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no 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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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

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 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 written parental permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is in place

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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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