REGISTERED CHILDMINDER BRISTOL

         Inspection report for early years provision

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder first registered in 2004 and is a member of both the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and South Gloucestershire's Children Come First Childminding Network.

The home is located in a quiet cul-de-sac, close to the Bristol to Bath cycle path. There are no family pets.

Children have access to the lounge and kitchen/diner. Bathroom facilities are located on the first floor. The second bedroom is available for any child who requires a sleep. The fully enclosed back garden is suitable for outdoor play.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children know how to promote their own health and well being. They recognise that physical exercise such as running makes them healthy. If clothes become wet they know that they would be more comfortable if they put on fresh clothes and to save embarrassment the childminder provides privacy in another room. Children know how to protect themselves from the sun; by applying sun cream, wearing hats and sitting under a gazebo.

As diet is discussed they are able to list a range of fruit and vegetables that are good to eat and know that sweets and crisps are less good for them.

Children relax as they play and babies crawl in a clean environment. Children show respect for keeping things clean and know they should take off their shoes before entering the lounge. The risk of children becoming ill from cross infection is minimised as the childminder shares her clear sickness policy for excluding children who are ill with parents. She follows hygienic routines and children do not need to be reminded that they must wash their hands before lunch. Children are protected as the childminder has appropriate procedures for managing accidents and medication.

Children take regular exercise as they walk to and from school and go on nature walks along the cycle track and dram way. In the garden children enjoy participating in fun races, such as obstacle courses when they climb up and over the climbing frame, use the scooter down the path and then balance an egg on a spoon as they return to the house. When the weather is inclement they take exercise through music and movement and stretch their bodies as they play 'Globe Trotting'. Babies attempt to crawl in order to reach interesting toys placed just out of their reach. The daily routine includes time for rest and sleep so children do not become over tired. Babies are encouraged to rest as they are given a bottle of milk and changed prior to being placed in the cot. They relax as they are given their comforter and kneeling beside them the childminder quietly says "shhhh" as she strokes them a few times before leaving the room. Older children relax as they sit next to the childminder and listen to a story.

At meal times all children sit together and eat varied, healthy well balanced meals. If the weather is warm they have fun as they sit outside and take a picnic to Willsbridge Mill. Children's diets are extended as the childminder introduces new foods by explaining that it is good for them, such as brown bread. Babies feel secure as they are cuddled by the childminder as they drink their bottle.

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming, child focussed environment. There are bright educational posters on the wall and pictures created by children. The lounge has been sectioned off with a large gate so that both babies and children have space. Toys are ready for children as they arrive. Children confidently help themselves to toys from the shelves and babies select from the range laid out on the floor. The childminder has an album of the extensive range of clean, safe toys stored elsewhere in the home so children are not limited to what is reached out on a daily basis. Children remain interested in the toys and books as the childminder also visits two toy libraries and allows children to select the toys they wish to take back. There is sufficient equipment in place to meet the needs of minded children, such as high chairs.

The childminder provides close supervision and continually checks the environment so that the risk of children having an accident is minimised. In the event of a fire, children are protected as fire safety regulations are met in full and children know the emergency evacuation procedure through monthly practise. Children have a good understanding of safety. When a new baby was placed with the childminder she consulted the other children, asking how they were to keep the baby safe. They decided that the baby should go on the play mat and that they should not go in that area without asking the childminder first. Children know how to cross roads without risk of harm and that they should not accept sweets off strangers. The childminder's good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and local child protection procedures keeps children safe from potential abuse and neglect.

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and want to be with the childminder. Babies put out their arms to the childminder and to the older children. They are given a cuddle in response. Minded children show care and consideration for each other. When the childminder goes out of the room for a few minutes they turn on the cassette player so that the baby can listen to the music, and inform the childminder when the baby is trying to turn over. Children socialise with peers on a regular basis at toddler groups. Children feel important as they confidently choose a game to play with the childminder and their decision is supported with great enthusiasm. They sit next to the childminder and enjoy listening to the story they have chosen. At the end of the story the childminder comments that she really enjoyed the story and that the child had made an excellent choice. When the childminder points out that some words rhyme, children respond by giving an example of other words that rhyme such as "yum, yum, my tum".

Children have good communication skills; confidently answering questions and explaining how toys such as the cassette player work. They take turns with the childminder to make up a story as they use the story puzzle cards. Mathematical development is also promoted by the childminder. Children completed 26 piece puzzles without assistance. As they fill in the calendar with the childminder they know that 15 comes after 14. Babies watch with interest. Children want to try new things such as magic maze and talk about what they plan to make. Further opportunities are available for children to develop creativity; exploring paint, glue, paper-mache, dough, clay and baking.

Babies make good progress as childminder has an effective planning cycle for children under 3-years based on 'Birth to three matters' for which she has received training. Although children over 3- years continue to make progress the childminder does not plan, but prefers to allow children to choose.

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Babies new to the provider settle very quickly as they have a minimum of four settling in sessions during which time they begin to develop trust. The childminder has a very strong relationship with parents so that children are relaxed when with their carer. Parents are provided with good quality information about the provision, via a copy of the well presented, detailed prospectus, regular newsletters and photographs. The daily diary enables both parents and childminder to meet children's needs on a daily basis. The childminder is attentive to children's individual needs so that each child feels special. Although not experienced in caring for children with special needs, the childminder has a good understanding about how she would achieve this through working in partnership and other professionals. Every child feels important as the childminder organises whole group activities, such as making the large collage of people, many of the images reflecting diversity. As they make the collage, which is now displayed in the lounge children learn to positively appreciate difference through discussion. Children further develop their understanding of diversity as the childminder organises craft activities to tie in with cultural celebrations. Before playing 'Globe Trotter' children select a colour and the childminder names the continents. Later she explains that the Indian Ocean is warm.

Many good opportunities are provided so that children value nature. They plant and water a variety of seeds and watch them grow. When the flowers die back they pick and pop the seed pods ready for planting the following year. Children know that they should respect animals as they are taken to the petting corners at Grimsby Farm and Noah's Ark. On nature walks along the Bristol to Bath cycle path and dram way they pick up leaves, acorns and grass and then make a big collage. They learn more about the local community as they visit shops, toddlers and the library.

Children are very well behaved, polite, take responsibility for helping to tidy up after themselves and show consideration for the environment and others. They learn from example and very strong reinforcement for positive behaviour provided by the childminder. The childminder also teaches children to protect themselves from bullying through discussion and stories such as 'No more bullying'.

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care for. She is appropriately qualified and keen to extend her practice has consulted with parents and undertaken additional training such as 'Healthy Eating and Snack Ideas', 'Creative Movement' and 'Equal Opportunities'. Further training is scheduled for the future. The childminder is enthusiastic about her work and has many plans for the future, such as extending the treasure basket for babies and placing photographs of visits in an album as a way of promoting language skills and providing more information to parents. The childminder is well organised and once minded children arrive she devotes all her time to playing with them. She has a system in place so that children receive appropriate care even in an emergency. Up to date documentation complies with the requirements of the National Standards. It is confidentially maintained and where appropriate shared with parents so that they are well informed about their children and the childminder's practices.

Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable.

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report.

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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):

• continue to extend planning so that children over 3-years are also included