Childminder in Dorset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY314432 Inspection date 25 April 2006 Inspector Rosemary Davies

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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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and their 2 children aged 2 and 4 years, in a 2 bedroom, terraced house in the Old Town area of Swindon, Wiltshire. Shops, town gardens, parks, a library, toddler groups and other town amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder can take children to, and collect them from, local schools and pre-schools. Minded children may use all areas of the house together with a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Her registration permits her to care for 4 children under the age of 8

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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 years at any one time. She currently minds 1 child aged 13 months, who attends on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health and physical well-being is maintained well when in the childminder's care. The childminder uses consistently good hygiene practices to maintain a clean home environment. She is meticulous in her personal hand-washing procedures. Children receive encouragement to wipe their hands and faces after meals, from a young age. She disposes of food quickly, which babies drop. The childminder keeps kitchen and cloakroom areas clean, which helps prevent the possible spread of infection. She makes parents aware that they must not bring their children to her if unwell with infectious diseases. She keeps alert to changes in children's health and cares for them appropriately should they become ill when in her care. The childminder is aware of the importance of encouraging children in understanding a healthy life-style. Children take daily fresh air and exercise. They undertake

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Helping children to be healthy

frequent outings to parks, gardens and toddler groups. Here, they use a variety of apparatus to develop their coordination skills and may run freely in plenty of space. The childminder shows a good understanding of nutrition and healthy eating. She is taking a food hygiene course and understands how to store, prepare and cook food properly. She uses different chopping boards for raw and cooked meats for example. Children eat well-balanced, home-cooked meals and healthy snacks. They try new things with the childminder's encouragement. She is well aware of their preferences and anything they must not eat owing to possible allergic reactions. Children drink as needed. The childminder provides fresh drinking water. She encourages those too young to ask, to drink frequently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a welcoming and child-friendly home environment. It is well organised for childminding purposes offering children plenty of space in which to move around. Children use good quality equipment and toys. They choose what they wish to play with from storage boxes, which are readily to hand. The childminder puts out a selection for the youngest children, which she changes frequently. At the moment, there are few resources for older children. The childminder understands the need for risk assessment and identifies potential hazards to children's safety, well. She minimises these risks effectively. She does not use the cooker when children are in the kitchen, for example, or light the fire in the lounge when minded children are present. She uses suitable fire prevention precautions. She has devised and practised an emergency evacuation procedure.

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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 She makes sure her own children do not use unsuitable toys for babies and toddlers when such children are present. Children's safety is maintained when outside. The childminder checks outdoor equipment before children use it. She understands her responsibilities for protecting the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show they enjoy their activities when in the care of this childminder. They experience a well-balanced day, which takes account of their individual welfare requirements. Children who arrive very early, for example, take a mid-morning nap and an early lunch. Children therefore sleep and rest as needed; enjoy exercise, fresh air and a variety of activities; socialise and are properly nourished. The childminder devotes her time to the children. She interacts very well with them. With very young ones, for example, she talks to them frequently, keeping eye-contact, varying the tone of her voice and encouraging their responses. This underpins their speech development, learning to listen and eventually, to take turns in conversations. She provides a suitable variety of experiences, such as stacking beakers to develop their hand and eye coordination. Children socialise with others

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

through frequent trips to local toddler groups. Regular visits to the local library help establish an interest in books and stories.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show themselves to enjoy this childminder's company and to be at ease in her home. Young children readily have cuddles and sit on her knee happily. They show excitement when strapped in the high-chair, trusting in her that food will soon be provided. The established routines help children to feel settled. They behave well because they understand what happens. The childminder adopts a positive approach to behaviour management. Older children receive clear messages about what is acceptable behaviour through the drawing up of 'house rules'. Children receive much individual attention from this childminder. This supports all children well, including any who may have special needs. They learn about the world around them through using a limited range of resources which reflect it, such as books and a jigsaw. The childminder supports young children particularly well in developing their personal independence. She helps babies hold bottles and training

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Helping children make a positive contribution

beakers. She encourages them to feed themselves, providing suitable 'finger food' and appropriate cutlery. She praises children when they do so, giving the message that this is 'wanted behaviour'. The childminder establishes strong and positive relationships with parents of the children in her care. She finds out all she can about children's individual care needs

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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 through an initial interview and the settling in process. She shares her written policies with parents, giving them individual copies which may be read at home in their own time. This helps parents understand her methods. This good exchange of information continues. The childminder provides written details of the children's day - what they have eaten, activities undertaken and how long they have slept. This means parents may know what their children have done, even if in a hurry to leave.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive appropriate care and their welfare is maintained when in the childminder's home. The childminder takes a professional approach to her work. She underpins her good procedures with many written policies. This means they may take a united approach to the care of the children. The childminder has done well to achieve this in the short time since her registration. She identifies her own training needs and is proactive in addressing these. Children benefit from the childminder's ability to organise herself well. She organises her home effectively for childminding purposes, providing for children's differing needs. She manages her time well so that children benefit from different experiences both in and out of the home. She understands her responsibilities for protecting children's welfare at home and when in the community. All required documentation is in place. This is kept securely, confidentially and ready

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Organisation

for inspection in a very methodical way. She is unsure about the length of time some paperwork must be retained. The childminder keeps up to date. She uses the Birth to three matters framework to vary the experiences she offers the youngest children. She knows about recent changes to the national standards, which she relays to parents. This means parents understand procedures should they wish to contact Ofsted or make a complaint. The 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • extend the range of resources that promote anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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