Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY235378 Inspection date 10 April 2006 Inspector Nikki Whinton

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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 1988. She lives with her husband and adult son in Chiseldon, near Swindon. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children, three of whom attend on a full-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group.

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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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the childminder's care. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise when walking to and from the local school or pre-school. In addition, children have the chance to improve their physical skills whilst exploring the provision's fully enclosed garden or during visits to the village park. Children develop their awareness of healthy eating through the varied menu of nutritious snacks and light lunches they enjoy whilst in the provision. The childminder discusses parental preferences and any allergies prior to a child commencing in the setting. These discussions are recorded and any requirements accommodated. Children's differing needs are successfully met. Children are gaining an awareness of good hygiene practices. They are learning the need to wash their hands, such as after toileting or before eating. They benefit from

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Helping children to be healthy

the childminder's understanding of first aid and the correct administrative procedures to be followed if accidents occur. Written procedures are in place to support children's welfare, for example, if they require sun cream or emergencies occur. However, written parental permission is not obtained prior to children commencing a course of medication. As a result, their health is at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and rest within premises that are clean, well maintained, warm and welcoming to children and parents. Children benefit from the positive steps that the childminder has put in place to promote their safety and prevent accidents, both within the home and when on outings. For example, the premises are secure, hazardous materials are inaccessible to children, emergency contact information is available at all times and smoke alarms are maintained in working order. Children enjoy accessing a wide range of stimulating, clean, well maintained resources. Such free choice opportunities help children to develop their confidence and independence. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of safety issues regarding the purchase and maintenance of equipment. As a result, children are able to play with age appropriate toys that are safe and suitable. Children's welfare is supported by a childminder who has a secure understanding of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection issues. There is a very effective system in place for making parents aware of her responsibilities. Children's well-being is actively promoted.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and appear very 'at home', within the child centred provision. Children of different ages have good opportunities to choose resources independently and to initiate activities for themselves. For example, the children have great fun playing in a ball pool, before deciding to colour Easter cards and later play hide and seek. Their enjoyment and development is enhanced by the support and active involvement of the childminder, such as when helping them to complete puzzles or sorting coloured balls into plastic buckets. Children greatly benefit from the very good relationship that they have with the childminder. She understands their differing needs and is aware of their differing home circumstances. Children take part in a varied programme of local outings, such as walks around the village, visits to the post office and trips to Coate Water, to help them gain an awareness of their environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are acknowledged and valued as individuals, which has a positive impact on their confidence and feelings of self worth. Children are gaining an awareness of diversity by accessing a good range of easily available resources, including dolls, books, puzzles, dressing up clothes and small world figures. Children behave well. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of effective strategies to promote children's positive behaviour. They are learning how to relate to each other, whilst increasing their awareness of right and wrong. Children's care and development is enhanced through the positive relationship that exists between the childminder and the parents. There are informal, daily opportunities to share children's progress and achievements. This helps to promote a consistency of approach to children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is an experienced early years practitioner. She organises the provision effectively to support children's care and development. For example, the use of designated bedrooms to enable children to have uninterrupted sleep and the storage of resources at children's height, to encourage self selection. Children feel confident, settled in their routines, motivated to initiate and develop their play ideas. All legally required documentation is correctly maintained and securely stored. However, the daily register of attendance does not include children's actual arrival and departure times. As a result, children's welfare is at risk.

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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 Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection, the childminder was given recommendations to help improve the quality of the provision. These referred to ensuring parents sign to acknowledge when children have been given medication, making sure the garden is secure, ensuring that children are supervised when using the garden and cannot leave the garden unsupervised. Parents now sign the medication record book to acknowledge when children have been given medication. The front garden is secure and children are appropriately supervised when walking across the front garden to ensure they cannot leave the garden unsupervised.

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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 parents, which they may 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): • ensure written parental permission is obtained prior to administering medication • ensure the daily register of attendance records children's actual arrival and departure times.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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