Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302562 Inspection date 11 October 2005 Inspector Christine Slaney

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 March 2005. She lives in a semi-detached house in the village of Starcross in Devon with her husband and two children aged 16 months and 8 years. Goldfish are the only family pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children mainly use the ground floor, which consists of a living room, dining room and a play room. There is a secure garden. The playroom is also used by sleeping children. There are local swing parks, shops, a school and beaches within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Registered to provide care for up to five children at any one time, she is currently caring for five children. Children with special educational needs can be supported. The childminder has attended a Devon Childminding Association foundation course and has a relevant first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children exercise every day and therefore have good opportunities for physical exercise; they enjoy walks and often go to local swing parks depending on the weather. Crawling babies are encouraged to develop new skills with appropriate help from the childminder, for example they are supported well when they use domestic furniture to pull themselves up. Clearly children enjoy this experience, which is helping them to develop good control over their bodies. Children also have opportunities to develop their small muscles through the active encouragement of the childminder in meaningful situations, like using healthy finger foods, which babies thoroughly enjoy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected well from infection through appropriate hygiene practices such as using separate towels and flannels. This protects children from coming down with each other's illnesses. The childminder supports children well with self-care routines like washing hands before and after mealtimes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's needs are met if they have an accident because the childminder has appropriate knowledge of first aid and the procedures to follow; for instance there is evidence of completed accident forms, which parents have signed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular opportunities to enjoy healthy food and drinks at snack times, including fruit, milk and water. Meal times are a social occasion as children are encouraged to sit at the table or in highchairs. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of nutritional foods and works closely with parents to ensure healthy foods are provided. Children enjoy the freshly prepared meals provided by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a clean, ordered and welcoming environment, where risks are clearly identified and minimised. Children have good access to all downstairs areas and the childminder is vigilant about their safety; for example children are supervised at all times. As a result even young babies experience opportunities to explore with support and children move freely around the areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a suitable range of toys and resources and appropriate areas to sleep and rest. The opportunities for children to take part in outdoor activities are good. Their day often includes walks for fresh air and the childminder has written consent from parents to enjoy these experiences regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further supported by the childminder's appropriate understanding of child protection procedures; for example she has an understanding of possible signs and symptoms of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are relaxed and comfortable in the home from home environment. Younger children and babies benefit from good support and interaction from the childminder. As a result babies and young children enjoy warm and close relationships with the childminder, who maintains lots of eye contact and cuddles to enable children to settle quickly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a suitable range of free play activities, which are supported appropriately by the childminder who shows an interest in their play; for instance she sat with children to help piece together a musical puzzle, which resulted in a child spontaneously singing a nursery rhyme with the associated actions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly attend various groups including a toddler group. This is helping them to socialise with others and understand the importance of taking turns and sharing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual stages of development are known and overall are understood, for example babies who have recently developed new skills like crawling are actively encouraged. However the childminder is aware she needs to further develop her understanding of younger children, for example through a framework like Birth to Three Matters, to plan more purposefully for their individual progression.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals and their needs are known and understood. All children are able to access resources and equipment freely. The childminder encourages children to be respectful of difference. However there are limited resources which reflect positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from being cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. At the initial visit the childminder discusses with parents children's daily routines, some policies and procedures and children’s individual needs. Information about the children’s day is regularly exchanged through the use of a day book.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and understand appropriate rules and boundaries such as sitting down at the dining table to eat. Babies are supported appropriately and the childminder has a calm and positive approach to behaviour management.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children's records are clearly completed and provide detailed information on the children’s needs. The childminder has also started to include some notes on children’s progress and development.

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Organisation

Parents are informed daily about their children's care both verbally and in writing in their day books. Therefore parents are clear about their children’s day to day routines. This ensures that children are supported appropriately and safely. The childminder continues to update her knowledge and is interested in the Birth to Three Matters framework about which she is due to attend training.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by the childminder who has had suitable checks completed. She organises the day and space well. Children are cared for in a home from home environment; they settle well and are confident in their surroundings.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains safety by ensuring supervision at all times. The ratios are maintained according to the needs of the children. Children are secure as a result of a system that clearly records their exact times of arrival and departure. All necessary consent forms have been completed and there is appropriate written permission for outings etc.

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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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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):  develop knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters framework  develop resources and understanding of positive imagines to increase children understanding of the wider community.

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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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