Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311322 Inspection date 24 April 2006 Inspector Glynis Pratchett

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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 satisfactory. 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 2005. She lives with her partner and young child in Plymouth. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed yard for outside play. The family have a cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 1 child over 5 before and after school. Older children also attend the childminder after school.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home. They learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through example and discussion. Children are encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly before eating and after toileting to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has good hygiene standards and is particular over children's personal care. She provides appropriate care and support to children if they become ill ensuring they are comfortable and settled. Appropriate systems and documentation are in place to record accidents and any medication administered, for the well-being of the children. The childminder provides snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. She takes into account parental wishes. Children enjoy an alternating choice at snack time, such as a variety of fruit and homemade cake. Drinks are readily available for children to access freely, helping to promote their fluid intake. Snacks

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Helping children to be healthy

are routinely taken to the park and children are actively encouraged to take regular drinks. The childminder plans a variety of activities, which contribute to the children's good health and physical development. Weather permitting, there are regular outside activities, which aid the children’s physical development. For example, they visit local parks, where they ‘feed the squirrels’ and enjoy playing football and using the slide and other large, outdoor play equipment. Children get lots of fresh air when they walk to and from the local school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming home where most risks are identified and minimised. This means children can freely move around the house and enjoy playing independently and safely. Systems and procedures are in place to protect children, these include having safety film on windows and safety gates well placed on the stairs. Children are kept safe when walking to local parks because they are encouraged to stay close to the childminder and their contact details are readily available. Children are developing a good understanding of road safety when they walk to local parks and during the daily trip to and from school. Children independently select activities from a suitable variety of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Toys and equipment are kept clean, in a good state of repair and are regularly checked for safety. The childminder ensures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the home is stimulating for children and that they are appropriately challenged. The childminder has most of the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded, for example, she has public liability insurance in place. She has a basic understanding of child protection issues

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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 and procedures ensuring children are adequately protected from harm and neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and settle well in her home. The child-friendly downstairs area of the home is well arranged to provide different play areas. For example, children enjoy creative activities in the kitchen and quieter play in the lounge. Children are supplied with a wide range of toys and resources that are easily accessible to them. They independently choose their activity or engage in a planned activity, such as making chocolate Christmas decorations or going on an Easter egg hunt. Outside the home, they enjoy playing in the park where the childminder actively supports their learning through playing ball games and assisting them on the large, outdoor play equipment. Children receive lots of support, praise and encouragement as they play and enjoy positive interactions with the childminder. They are confident, settled and know the daily routines. Children develop good

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

relationships with the childminder who is attentive to their needs and knows them very well. She spends a lot of time playing and talking with them and helping them to learn. Relationships are warm and caring, ensuring children are settled, happy, enjoy their play and feel valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home and they are valued and respected as individuals. This ensures their individual needs are well met and promoted. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do and independently choosing activities. All children have equal access to everything within the home and outside, provided for their play, learning and care. Children’s understanding of and awareness of others is limited by the lack of resources and activities that promote positive images of diversity and the wider world. The childminder knows the children well and has developed warm, respectful and caring relationships with them. This encourages and supports them to interact and play co-operatively, regardless of age, and to show care and concern for each other and their environment. Children are well behaved, are mainly polite to each other and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are aware of the boundaries set and are learning what is right and wrong. The childminder is developing some strong links with parents, both verbally and through policies and procedures. She understands children’s individual needs and tries to maintain these, helping children feel secure and confident. The childminder ensures that parents are kept well informed of their child’s activities, care and general welfare; this practice promotes children’s well-being. Parents are very appreciative of her care and support for their children.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has organised her home well to provide a safe and child-orientated environment for children. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the childminder's home. Children's care and welfare needs are mainly identified and met through the organised records and documents that are discussed and completed with parents. Most policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Documentation is generally up-to-date and securely stored. However, the childminder has not always obtained consent from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment and outings. The childminder has attended the required childminder training and first aid course and she is keen to increase her knowledge and understanding of childcare through attending locally arranged courses. The

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Organisation

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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 children have access to a range of resources and activities that promote their understanding of diversity • ensure all the required parental permission forms are in place

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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 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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