Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315694 Inspection date 02 May 2006 Inspector Catherine Hill

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and 2 year old child in Farnborough, Hampshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Local parks, shops and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time. She is currently minding 2 children under 5 years. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group. The family have 2 cats. The childminder is a member of both the National Childminding Association and the local childminding association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health and have excellent opportunities to develop their physical skills. They attend dance classes, gymnastic sessions and play outside in the fresh air daily. They stay healthy as the childminder has appropriate policies and procedures to prevent the spread of illness and infection. They learn good hygiene practice from the childminder who maintains her home and resources in a clean condition. They receive appropriate care if they have accidents. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and all necessary consents from parents are in place to safeguard children's health. The childminder maintains a written record of any accidents and medication administered, although not all medication entries are acknowledged by parents. Children enjoy a healthy, varied and balanced diet. The childminder provides a range

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Helping children to be healthy

of home cooked meals ensuring children have a daily intake of fruit and vegetables. The childminder encourages children to try new foods and they experience dishes from different cultures, for example, curry. They develop an interest in food and learn about it when involved in activities such as making spaghetti. Children are aware of their own needs and help themselves to a drink when thirsty. They each have their own cup and these are accessible to the children within the minding environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and relax within the warm and welcoming child-friendly environment provided by the childminder. They enjoy playing in the dedicated playroom which has colourful displays of their creative artwork, alongside educational posters, thus providing a stimulating and interesting environment for them. They are at ease and smile and laugh as they play and chat happily to each other and the childminder. They have opportunities to access an extensive range of resources that are of good quality and age appropriate. Resources are available to support learning in all developmental areas, are clearly labelled and allow for progression in skills. The childminder has a high regard for safety and has identified and minimized risks for children in the home. She checks her premises daily for safety, has a written fire evacuation plan and appropriate fire safety equipment. Children move around freely,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safely and independently. They stay safe and secure as the childminder has clear procedures to ensure children are collected only by authorised people. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when out as the childminder teaches them good road safety. She risk assesses outings and has a written policy to support her practice. Children's welfare is enhanced as the childminder has a clear understanding of her roles and responsibilities with regard to child protection. She has written policies on both child protection and physical contact but does not have any child protection literature to support her practice in this area. She is, however, pro-active in developing her knowledge of child protection and has arranged further training in this

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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 field.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy themselves and thrive within the calm, supportive atmosphere of the childminder's home. They respond positively to the genuine interest taken in them by the childminder who plays with them at their level. High quality interaction between the childminder and the children in her care helps develop their communication skills. Children speak confidently to adults and one another and the childminder skilfully uses discussion to help develop children's vocabulary. Clearly labelled resources and keyword labels displayed around the home help promote children's awareness of print carrying meaning. Children are inquisitive and explore objects and how they work. They occupy themselves well and enthusiastically use templates to draw and colour. They proudly share their drawings with the childminder who praises all children's efforts thereby boosting their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn and uses both the early learning goals and Birth to three matters framework as guidelines when planning activities for children. She bases activities around themes, such as colours and festivals, and children experience a wealth of activities both inside and outside the home. They learn about body parts when completing puzzles of people, develop an understanding of numbers when counting items in a picture and consolidate their knowledge of colours as the childminder encourages them to look for different colours as they share a book about fairies. The childminder uses opportunities effectively to develop children's observation skills and makes excellent use of questions during play to challenge children's thinking. Children are very sociable and the childminder ensures they have very good opportunities to further develop their social skills by mixing with others at the local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toddler group and childminder drop-in meetings. They develop a very good understanding of the wider world through outings and planned activities. For example, they have learnt about the lifecycle of a frog and also visited a Chinese restaurant.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have excellent relationships with the childminder and each other. The childminder ensures all children are included in activities and have access to age appropriate resources. Children's needs are well met by the childminder who notices when they are tired or need support with play. Children learn to work harmoniously together as they share resources and the childminder encourages them to take responsibility as they help tidy activities away. They develop an independence as they self select toys and books. They are confident and have good self-esteem as a result of the frequent praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. The childminder has a written equal opportunities policy to support her practice and

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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 she provides children with an excellent range of resources and activities to help foster their knowledge and understanding of diversity within society. Children's behaviour is excellent. They are happy, lively and play enthusiastically together. The childminder acts as a positive role model and sensitively supports children so they are not bored or frustrated. She gently reminds children to say please and thank you and children listen to her and follow her good example. House rules are displayed and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure consistent behaviour guidelines are set for children. The childminder's partnership with parents is excellent and contributes significantly to children's well-being. Parents are kept exceptionally well informed about the childminder's practice through information displayed, a daily diary and verbal

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussion. All written policies and procedures are shared with parents who are consulted on all aspects of their child's care. Contracts, child record forms and all appropriate consents are in place to ensure children's welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder effectively organises her space and resources to provide children with a relaxing, but stimulating home environment where they can rest and play according to their needs. Children are very happy and at home within the childminder's house where they receive high levels of support and care. They have access to a multitude of different learning activities both inside and outside the home and excellent opportunities to develop in all learning areas. The childminder has a sound understanding of how to support children's welfare and is pro-active in attending further training to further her knowledge and skills. She maintains clear and comprehensive written policies and procedures to support her practice. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable. This is the first inspection since registration.

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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

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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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 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): • ensure written records of medication administered to children are signed by parents to acknowledge the entry • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures following the guidelines in the Government booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary'.

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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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