Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY303919 Inspection date 25 May 2006 Inspector Janet Maria Moutter

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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 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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 15 months in Abbeymeans a district of Swindon, in Wiltshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has no pets.

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. Promotion of good health for children is important to the childminder, as they are well cared for in a warm, clean home. The children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene and personal care, for example, through regular and routine hand washing procedures before meals and after messy activities. The childminder protects the children from the spread of infection as much as possible by her clear sickness policy that she shares with parents at contract time. Children benefit from being offered varied and nutritious food at mealtimes and snack times. The childminder works closely with parents to present food and drinks which the parents have provided attractively. Food provided by parents is stored correctly and the childminder ensures that the children's dietary needs are met. The childminder discusses individual preferences with parents before the children start attending the setting. The preferences are then recorded and accommodated.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities to encourage their physical development. There are regular visits to the park and playgrounds to develop their physical skills and extend existing skills. The childminder has a good awareness of the children's different ages and capabilities and is able to provide appropriate play opportunities to stretch them each day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Good organisation of space and resources and daily checks ensure children have room to move freely, safely and independently. The childminder has good systems in place to ensure children's safety at all times both inside and outside the home. She gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, for example, promoting road safety when walking to and from school and tidying up toys indoors. The children are regularly taken to the play park for outside play. Toys and resources are of good quality and in a safe, well-maintained condition. They are well organised and stored at child level, which allows even the youngest to make choices for themselves and develop their independence. Toys are available for all ages and in sufficient quantity to ensure children enjoy a wide range of activities to

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

promote all area of development. Children are protected well. The childminder has all of the required documentation, records and procedures in place to ensure the child's safety is promoted. The fire evacuation plan is a written procedure, however, it has not been practised. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. Children have positive relationships with the childminder and children approach her confidently and with affection. Warm interactions promote children's wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence. The childminder provides an interesting range of activities and play experiences both indoors and outdoors, for example, on the day of inspection, the children had colourful pictures ready to take home when parents arrive at home time. Outside the young children enjoy collecting shopping from the supermarket shelves and visits to the soft play centre and toddler group. Consistent support and praise encourages children to become increasingly independent and to know when to ask for help, for example, asking for the dolls, pushchair and cooker out to replace the construction toys. The childminder offers support and encouragement to help children

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

make good progress such as with their evolving speech with book and stories. Children are encouraged to express themselves freely and the childminder encourages and supports their interests. Children independently choose from a variety of resources and spend their time purposefully. Children's individual care routines have been established and are consistent with home, promoting the children's sense of security. Their individual needs are met through the childminder's good knowledge of their capabilities and she extends their experiences by listening and talking with them and provides them with activities which offer age appropriate, sufficient challenge.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children do well in the care of this childminder and have their individual needs attended to. The childminder works extremely closely with parents to find out about their children’s specific requirements before they start with her, so that, for example equipment is available if needed and routines for babies and younger children are followed. Subsequently, parents receive regular verbal information of what their children do and achieve during their time with her. All children receive equal care and individual attention. They use all resources provided suited to their stage or development including those, such as dolls and dressing-up clothes, that reflect the diversity of modern life. The childminder ensures that the children have regular contact with the wider community through visits to local groups.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children cared for by this childminder benefit from her knowledge and skills, which she uses well. She does her utmost to find out about the needs of children in her

p.4

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 care so that she looks after them appropriately. Children enjoy playing in a child-centred environment where toys and materials are readily to hand. They receive much individual attention because the childminder’s play is well organised and balances the various demands made on her time effectively. All required documentation is in place and the childminder has an up to date register of all the children who attend. She keeps Ofsted informed of any changes in her childminding conditions such as house moves. Records and documents are kept, confidentially and readily available for inspection. The childminder meets the needs of the range children for whom she provides.

p.4

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 can see on request. The complaints 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): • extend fire-safety precautions by implementing an emergency evacuation procedure

p.5

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

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.5