Soane, Joanne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY316252 Inspection date 27 March 2006 Inspector Lynne Elizabeth Lewington

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her partner and daughter in a 3 bedroom house in Farnborough. Children have access to the kitchen and lounge for their play and the bedrooms are used for rest. The garden is excluded from the registration. Local parks ,shops and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder is registered to care for 4 children under 8 years. There is currently 1 child on roll. She attends local parent and toddler groups and children's activities. The family have a pet rabbit.

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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 have a very good varied and nutritious diet of freshly cooked food each day. A menu is displayed for parents to see enabling them to monitor what their child is offered. The childminder is innovative and thinks of fun ways to encourage the children to eat fruit and vegetables. For example; at a dolls tea party the children were given real fruit on the dolls tea set plates. The 'dolls' and the children ate all the fruit. Dehydration is prevented through easy access to drinks of water or weak juice throughout the day. Children develop their physical skills well as they move around the property, pushing the dolls pushchair, climbing onto chairs to draw at the table with pencils and build with construction toys. Outings to the park, where they can run and kick the football and visits to toddler group provide daily opportunities for exercise in the fresh air. The variety of toys and activities encourages the children's balance and co-ordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

The clean well maintained premises provide a pleasant homely play environment. Sensible measures are taken to prevent cross infection for example, children have their own towels and hairbrushes and toys are washed regularly. However, children do not routinely wash their hands before they have food although they are reminded to after using the toilet. Detailed accident and medication records are maintained and shared with parents promoting to safeguard the child's well being. However permission has not been sought from parents to seek emergency advice or treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The lounge and kitchen area provide the children with a pleasant and well maintained environment for their play. Easy access to the downstairs toilet facilities enables them to develop their personal independence skills with discreet supervision. The childminder takes care to ensure the good quality toys and equipment is suitable for the ages and stages of development of the children. A sufficient understanding of child protection signs and symptoms and the required action is demonstrated to safeguard children's well being. Satisfactory safety and security measures are taken around the premises to promote the children's safety the majority of the time. However, children do play in the kitchen with supervision, when the cooker is in use. Children develop an awareness of their own safety through coaching when they cross the road and reminders to pick toys up to prevent tripping

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

over. In the event of an emergency the childminder has planned her evacuation and identified who would be able to offer her assistance to ensure appropriate care of the

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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 children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminders home. They move between the rooms confidently making independent choices about what they would like to do. The childminder joins in enthusiastically with the play sitting on the floor with the children making suggestions, listening carefully and encouraging their play. A plan of activities is displayed although not followed rigidly enabling the children's interests to be followed and built upon. Children enjoy lively days where their all around development is fostered well. With the childminders supervision and assistance they undertake many activities that interest them. For example; they make attractive pictures using glue and brightly coloured feathers, this helps them to learn how to use simple tools and to recognise colours, they pound and squeeze play dough learning how to make different shapes, they use crayons and paper developing early writing skills and they act out life and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

imaginary experiences as they care for the dolls. Children know what happens at meal times as they get their little chairs and tables ready and after lunch they prepare for a nap. These good but simple routines help to encourage the children's sense of time and feeling of security because they know what will happen next.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn how to be considerate as they undertake their games and activities together. They learn to share and take turns, receiving praise and encouragement from the childminder for their efforts. The childminder acts as a calm and consistent role model to the children as she calmly encourages their positive behaviour. Children develop their awareness of our diverse society through outings, books, and activities. For example; children learn that some people use chopsticks and they try to eat noodles in this way. Traditional events incorporated into the activities provide children with opportunities to learn about their own and other cultures. Individual children's needs are met successfully through good communication with parents and professionals which enables appropriate care to be offered. Partnership with parents is successfully promoted for the benefit of the children. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder provides parents with clear detailed information about the service she offers, collects detailed information about the children, verbally communicates with parents daily and also completes a daily diary of the child's activities to ensure parents feel well informed about their child's care. However, there is insufficient information for parents regarding making complaints about the service.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder plans her day effectively to enable her to focus her attention on the children. She is enthusiastic about her work and has plans of how she wants to develop the facilities and service she offers for the benefit of the children. Resources and equipment are used inventively to promote the children's development and understanding, with good consideration for their individual needs. Children are happy, confident and feel 'at home' in her care. Good communication with parents ensures they are kept well informed about their child's activities. The childminders clear understanding of the requirements of her registration enables her to provide a good quality service for the children in her care. 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

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): • request written parental permission to seek emergency advice or treatment • encourage children to wash their hands before food to promote good hygiene routines • improve safety routines when the cooker is in use

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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 • provide parents with information regarding complaints about the service offered.

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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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