Childminder in WiltshireOfsted inspection, 15 Mar 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311659 Inspection date 15 March 2006 Inspector Rachel Edwards

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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 lives in a three storey town house with her partner and 9-year-old daughter in Calne. They live close to a local school and a play area. The family have one dog. The ground and first floor only may be used for childminding. The garden is not registered for use, however there is a play area very nearby. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years, of whom no more than 3 may be under 5 years. She is registered to work with an assistant and when present, together they may care for 6 children under 8 years. She currently cares for 5 children, 4 of whom are under 8 years. The registration does not include over night

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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 care. She is a member of the local childminding group and the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home where the childminder follows hygienic procedures that help reduce the risk to children of illness and infection. For example she teaches children about the importance of personal hygiene so that they know to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. She takes sensible measures to make sure that the dog is not a danger to children's health or safety. Children enjoy and benefit from a range of nutritious snacks and meals that the childminder provides. She talks to the children about healthy eating and aims to give them 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day. This helps them to make healthy choices, for example, a child asks for a 'nice, juicy orange'. They eat together at the table and this social event makes mealtimes relaxed and enjoyable. Children are able to reach their own drink bottles and this encourages them to drink plenty throughout

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Helping children to be healthy

the day, which is beneficial to their health. Although the childminder cannot use her garden for outdoor play, she lives very close to a park and play area, to which she regularly takes the children. They also visit a soft play area each week. This helps the children develop physical skills and means that they enjoy exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a generally satisfactory awareness of safety issues. She has identified most potential hazards in her home and has taken steps to minimise these. For example, children cannot reach household chemicals or sharp objects, including in the open plan kitchen. However, children are at risk from several uncovered electric sockets that are within their reach. She uses safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs but is not vigilant in supervising young children at all times when using the stairs. Children learn about keeping themselves safe, for example when crossing the road or how to behave near dogs. Children use and play with a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder is careful to make sure that children only play with toys suitable for their stage of development. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues. She

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

informs parents of her responsibilities and would be able to act in the children's best interests if she had concerns for their welfare.

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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 happy, settled and enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. The childminder plans her daily routine carefully to take account of children's needs and interests. There is a good balance between child and adult led play so that children have time to follow their own interests and play independently as well as learning new skills. They enjoy a wide range of interesting and worthwhile activities both inside and outside the home. They are able to choose from a wide selection of good quality toys, that support their learning and development in all areas. The childminder spends a great deal of time playing with the children and helping them learn. She is skilled at asking questions that encourage children to think and extend their play. Children begin to use numbers and mathematical ideas as they count, sort and share within their play. The childminder helps children's language skills through lots of lively conversation and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stories. Children use their imagination well, for example, in producing individual pieces of art or whilst enjoying role play games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed and treated as individuals. The childminder has friendly relationships with the parents and keeps them generally well informed about the care she provides. She spends time talking to parents and sharing information about the children so that she is able to meet children's individual needs well. However, she has not sought parents written consent to seek emergency medical treatment and has not informed parents of her complaints procedure, both of which could adversely affect children's welfare. The childminder has flexible arrangements with parents enabling her to take children to after school clubs and classes such as ballet or Brownies so that they do not miss out by being in her care. Children are totally at ease in this homely environment, where they are made to feel part of the family. They warmly greet the childminder's husband and demand a hug

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Helping children make a positive contribution

he as leaves for work. They are encouraged to make choices, such as what to play with or what to eat. Children behave well. They are encouraged to be polite and kind to others and the childminder supports them well as they learn to share and take turns. However, she is not consistent in explaining to children why some behaviour is inappropriate, for example, climbing the stairs after having been told to wait at the bottom. Children learn about their local community and are able to socialise with other adults and children, for example, when they visit toddler groups, the café or go shopping. However, they have little opportunity to learn about the wider world and to appreciate each others similarities and differences. For example, there are few resources that reflect positive images of different ethnicity, cultures, disability or gender roles.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in this generally well organised home. They are able to select their own toys in an environment where most hazards have been minimised. Most of the required documentation is in place. Generally good communication with parents builds trusting relationships that help continuity of care and ensures that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder regularly reflects on the care she provides. She frequently attends relevant training that increases her knowledge of childcare and benefits the children. She regularly meets with other childminders and enjoys sharing aspects of good practice with them. The childminder has admitted that on two occasions in the past, she has cared for 4 children under 5 years for a short period during the day. She had arranged for another adult with her at this time to ensure children's safety, however, this was in

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Organisation

breach of her conditions of registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted have not received any complaints since registering the childminder. The childminder 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 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):

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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 • ensure that all electric sockets are either covered or inaccessible to children and that children are adequately supervised when using the stairs • provide resources and activities to help children learn about diversity and the wider world • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and inform parents about how to make a complaint

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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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