Childminder in Swindon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY266606 Inspection date 23/04/2007 Inspector Janet Maria Moutter

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Type of inspection Care Type of care Childminding

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Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be freely reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided the source and date of publication are stated.

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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.

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

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.

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

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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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The provider must give a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must give a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Day Care and Childminding (inspection) (England) Regulations 2005 No 2300 Regulations 5 and 6).

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2003. She lives with her husband in Sparcells, a district of Swindon, Wiltshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day and three children over five before and after school. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. There is one pet rabbit on the premises.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the childminder's care. They have daily chances for fresh air and exercise when walking to and from the local toddler group or when playing in the childminder's fully enclosed garden. In addition, they regularly visit the nearby play park. During these outings, children have the opportunity to develop their large muscle skills whilst using a range of apparatus and there are many photographs to provide evidence of the enjoyment the children were having at the local play park.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children increase their understanding of good hygiene practices as part of the daily routine. For example, they are aware of the need to wash their hands after outdoor play or before eating. The premises are clean and maintained. Children benefit from the childminder acting as a good role model, her understanding of first aid and her awareness of the correct administrative procedures to follow if accidents occur or children require medication.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play and rest within premises that are secure, warm and welcoming to parents and children. They are able to visit the toilet independently, which helps them to develop their self-care skills. Children are learning to share responsibility for their own safety by tidying away resources, which helps to reduce trip hazards. Children benefit from the range of safety measures that are in place to support their safety and help prevent accidents. For example, hazardous materials in the kitchen are inaccessible to children, socket covers are fitted to exposed electric points and a stair gate prevents children having unsupervised access to the bedrooms. The a fire evacuation drill has been practised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a range of frequently rotated, clean, soundly-maintained equipment. They are able to self-select from age appropriate resources that are placed in low-level storage. Such free choice opportunities help children to develop their independence and sense of belonging within the setting. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of safety issues regarding the purchase and on going maintenance of toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is supported by a childminder who has a secure understanding of child protection issues and the correct procedures to be followed if concerned about a child. There are effective arrangements for making parents aware of the provider's child protection responsibilities, both prior to commencing in the setting and as part of the annual contract review. Children's well-being is actively promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children appear very settled, relaxed and confident within the setting. They freely make decisions for themselves regarding the activities and resources they wish to explore. For example, the children played shops and card games of snap and dominoes with the childminder. Children are occupied. They benefit from the active involvement of the childminder in their play, such as when helping to construct a shop or assisting a child find resources for his craftwork. The childminder is well deployed. She ensures all children receive sound quality, individual attention. As a result, children are learning and developing new skills whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have a warm, positive relationship with the friendly caring childminder. This positive interaction helps children to feel 'at home' and self assured whilst in the provision. Children undertake a range of local outings, such as walks and trips into local country parks and there is lots of photographic evidence for the children to talk about all the places they have been with the childminder. Such activities enable children to increase their awareness of their local environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated as respected individuals. They benefit from the childminder knowing them extremely well, having a very clear understanding of their differing needs and being aware of their home circumstances. The children are able to play with a good range of resources, such as books, small world figures and dolls, which help them to increase their awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. Their behaviour is supported by a childminder who acts as a very positive role model, maintains firm ground rules and has a clear understanding of effective strategies to encourage positive behaviour. Children relate well to each other, are developing their social skills and are learning the difference between right and wrong whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership that exists between parents and the childminder. There are daily opportunities to share children's achievements and to discuss any childcare issues. This positive approach helps to ensure a consistency in children's care. The childminder does not have a complaints procedure that fully complies with Children Act Regulations, particularly in relation to the timescale of investigating complaints. Also her good care procedures have been compromised regarding written parental permission obtained from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice as not all the parents have signed giving prior consent.

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Organisation

The childminder is an experienced early years practitioner. She is well organised, making good use of the available play space within the provision to meet children's needs. For example, there is a designated area to allow children to have uninterrupted sleep and toys are arranged to enable children to make independent choices.

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Organisation

Most legally required paperwork is carefully maintained and easily available to support children's care. For example, children's daily arrival and departure times are recorded. This helps to ensure there is an accurate record of when a child is actually in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made to improve the provision. The childminder was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment and gain more knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since then good progress has been made with these recommendations almost completed. The children play within a safe environment where secure and safe procedures are in place for when children are present. Children's welfare is supported as the childminder has most written permission forms signed and shared with the parents, such as the latest 'Safeguarding Children' information on child protection and permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. This supports children's safety and well being.

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Complaints about the childcare provision

Since April 1 2004, Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standard 1: Suitable Person. This involved an allegation made about the financial arrangements that became an action of the childminder in June 2006. The provider responded to the allegation by immediately clarifying the problem with the parent concerned. Ofsted was satisfied that by taking these steps the provider met the National Standards and remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

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Complaints about the childcare provision

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

 ensure good care procedures are in place regarding written parental permission being obtained from all parents for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice  ensure that the complaints procedure fully complies with Children Act Regulations, particularly in relation to the timescale of investigating complaints

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

procedures set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted’s role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2473) which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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