Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY229924 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2006 Inspection date Timothy Butcher Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 10 and 7, in Whitchurch, Bristol. The whole of the ground and first floors of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The second floor is not used by minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding 3 children aged under 5 , all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also looks after children over 8 years. The childminder has use of a car to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to other local groups.

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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 satisfactory. Children are helped to keep healthy because the childminder has spoken with parents about children's individual health needs. She has suitable procedures in place to record any accidents, should they occur and keeps suitable records of medication given to children. The childminder has not up-dated her first aid training and has allowed the certification to expire.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the spread of infection for example they are encouraged to follow simple practises in regard to hand washing. Children are suitably supported to develop some self-care skills. Parents are consulted about toilet training routines and the childminder prompts children at regular intervals. She provides suitable supervision and support for children to develop skills and to grow in independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are satisfactorily met. The childminder provides an adequate range of healthy foodstuffs. The childminder discusses children's individual preferences with parents and takes these into consideration when planning snacks and meals. Children have few opportunities to develop their understanding of healthy eating. Children have drinks throughout the day provided at regular intervals but these are not made available so that they can independently access them.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children have regular opportunities to be active. Visits out each day, to such places as the city farm and soft play areas, provide children with plenty of fresh air and exercise. The childminder also makes regular use of the garden. Children enjoy the opportunities to play with different sized balls on the grass. A child carefully carries balls from one end of the pitch to the other; counting them in and out of the goal nets. Children of different abilities use sit-on equipment to steer and manoeuvre around the paved area, as they learn new control skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because the childminder has a clear understanding of potential hazards to children and takes effective action to make the home safe. She uses careful explanation routinely to ensue that children begin to have an awareness for their own safety, for example when using the garden. The childminder has a spacious garden with a good range of equipment for children to use. The large trampoline is used by minded children under her close supervision as she has undertaken a thorough risk assessment to ensure children's safety. Parents are asked to give their prior written consent before their child uses the equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are secure and made welcoming to children with bright posters and examples of children's work on display. Space is used effectively to ensure that children are comfortable and that all areas are appropriate for the activities that are undertaken. Older children have use of the first floor bedrooms, subject to permission. They are able to chill out and pursue activities separate from younger children, if they choose. Toy resources are made easily accessible

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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 to children, with a good selection put out in readiness. Cut and stick and other craft activities are prepared beforehand in readiness for children to access easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have their welfare safeguarded. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities in regard to the protection of children. She has a solid understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and a clear awareness of the procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children appear settled, happy and secure with the childminder. Children are helped to become confident and enjoy the activities made available to them. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and provides a wide range of play activities to assist children's learning through play. Children make good general progress in all areas of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports play well, following the interest of children. They freely select toys and exercise choice. For example, a child makes immediate use of a dressing up costume on arrival and engages in imaginative play with enthusiasm. Children paint, crayon and use cut and stick materials in a variety of creative activities both within the home and at playgroup. Children crayon and stick coloured paper to make pictures. They are clearly proud of their achievement and ask for their pictures to be displayed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes more of a lead role in some activities to extend children's thinking. She asks questions so that children explore some of their ideas further. She gives each child her attention. She adapts play activities so that each child is actively engaged and involved according to their ability. When cosily reading a book together, the childminder draws in children and they name familiar things they see on the page. She gets them to expand on what the see, for example, by linking the animals in a book, to a visit to the zoo that they have made. Children practise counting and naming in a variety of everyday activities to develop their language and cognitive skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures that children have plenty of opportunity to be active and to socialise. She makes discerning use of local playgroups, to ensure children have a good balance of activities and play opportunities that they find stimulating and of interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to remind her of the various stages of child development and of children's abilities. She has yet to fully develop a process for systematically evaluating each child's progress to inform her planning for their next steps in development. As a result children are not always provided with sufficient challenge.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the strong partnership with parents. There is a good exchange of information and this contributes to the quality of care provided as children have their individual needs closely met. Documentation shows that parents report positively about the care that

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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 their children receive and about the wide range of interesting activities provided. Time is set aside for discussion with parents at either end of the day. Parents are kept well informed about their children's day. The childminder keeps a diary as a record of significant events. Babies have individual diaries that provide particular information about such things as feeds, changes of nappy and sleep pattern's. The childminder has a satisfactory system for the recording of complaints.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder respects and values children's individuality and the family context of each child. Children learn about diversity through everyday play. The childminder has a clear understanding of equality of opportunity issues and has a good range of her own toys and other resources to help promote children's awareness of diversity. Activities around the celebration of festival days contribute to children's growing awareness of culture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder treats all children with respect. Children learn to relate to each other and to share. They enjoy positive interactions with the childminder. She values and encourages good behaviour with positive comment, praise and clear explanation. The childminder has high expectations of children. Children are responsive and broadly, well behaved. There is a brief behaviour management policy, shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has no experience of caring for a minded child with learning difficulties or disability. However, the procedures for sharing information with parents are comprehensive and processes are inclusive of all children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is well organised, using her time, space and other resources positively to create a supportive and welcoming environment for children. She has a sound understanding of the National Standards and interprets these in the best interests of children. The childminder shows some commitment to extending her own professional development and practice, for example, she has attended a course on the Birth to three matters framework. Although she has a good understanding of child development and keeps this in mind when making plans, the childminder has yet to develop a more formalised structure to plan for children's progress.

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Organisation

The childminder has the majority of documentation in place. Suitable records are held that promote the welfare of children and support the safe management of the provision. Initial information is readily shared with parents and subsequent processes mean they are kept well informed. The childminder has not updated her first aid training.

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Organisation

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 it was agreed that an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity would be provided to children. It was further agreed to plan activities to ensure they meet the needs of all children and to help them make progress in all areas of development.

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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 Since the last inspection the childminder has increased her resources. They now include additional toy resources that reflect disability and book resources that reflect culture and disability. The childminder provides a range of experiences for children including activities that celebrate different festival days and visits out to public places where diversity is liable to be apparent. As a result children's awareness of diversity is promoted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has undertaken some training in regard to the Birth to three matters framework and other training has also increased her knowledge. She now plans for children's all round development, however, she does not always provide the most able children with sufficient challenge.

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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. 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 first aid training is kept up to date. • further develop the use of observations of what children know and can do to plan and support their next stage of development.

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The quality and standards of the care

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

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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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