Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY317491 Inspection date 24 May 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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and preschool child in a house in Yately, the whole house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden and additional toilet facilities downstairs. The family have a cat. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years; of these, not more than two may be under five years, and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any one time. There is currently one child on roll. The childminder can collect and take children from local schools.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good care is taken to ensure that children experience a healthy environment and develop a healthy lifestyle. They have healthy simple meals prepared each day and are encouraged to drink frequently to prevent dehydration. Children learn simple rhymes which encourage their awareness of what foods are good for them. For example, 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away'. The childminder encourages children to help prepare food, enabling them to develop an interest and awareness of the foods they eat. Effective hygiene routines ensure the environment and toys remain clean and hygienic for the children's daily use. Children learn to wash and dry their hands before food and after toileting promoting their awareness and understanding of good hygiene routines. Children enjoy a broad range of activities throughout the day which encourages physical development. Outside play in the garden or park provide opportunities for

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Helping children to be healthy

developing balance and large movements. Space indoors is organised enabling the children to move around freely developing their abilities to push and pull, skip and jump even if the weather does not permit outside play. Activities and games provide the children with interesting opportunities to develop their finer skills, as they use construction toys, do puzzles, use paint brushes and pencils to create pictures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming child friendly home where children feel safe and secure. They experience their play in a safe and spacious environment where they are closely supervised at all times. The space within the home is well organised, allowing the children to move around freely and independently. Risks throughout the premises have been assessed and suitable measures taken to address them. Children can easily access the wide range of toys and resources which are regularly checked to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm them. Children are developing their understanding of safe behaviour as they learn to look and listen for cars as they cross roads and to wear their seat belts in the car. The childminder talks to the children about why they need to do these things, increasing their understanding and awareness. The childminder has a basic understanding of child protection and the action she

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

would take if she were concerned about a child in her care.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminders home. They enjoy an excellent variety of activities that encourage their knowledge and understanding. They explore and confidently make choices from the wide range of toys and activities available to them. Interesting activities are set out for the children which they can access as they wish. A plastic teapot, full of water and tea cups on a tray enabled the children to experiment and develop their skills as they carefully tried to pour the water into the cups. The childminder is enthusiastic and interested in the children's activity providing encouragement and opportunities for the children to develop their imaginations and act out life experiences. For example, a child wrote a letter put it in an envelope, wrote on the envelope and then travelled around the kitchen in the car to go to the identified 'post box'. This simple activity provides opportunities for lots of discussion

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and the development of many skills and ideas. The childminder joins in enthusiastically with activities but also recognises that children need time to make their own choices and decisions. She joins in with activity songs setting a good example for the children to follow, she reads stories and encourages the children to look at the pictures and identify what is happening. Children learn their colours, shapes and numbers through fun everyday activities as they play with the support and encouragement of the lively childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder's pleasant and well mannered demeanour provides a positive role model to the children. They are encouraged to use good manners, and regular praise and encouragement enables the children to feel good about themselves. The children develop consideration for others through their play and opportunities to meet other adults and children in the community. The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of how to identify and develop individual needs. She is adaptable and able to ensure all children are included. The childminder has friendly but professional relationships with the parents. She discusses the children's needs thoroughly with the parents ensuring their individual needs are well met. Detailed records of the child's activity and care are provided for parents initially to reassure them. Clear and well maintained policies and permissions ensure that the parents are clear on the childminders role and her practice.

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Organisation

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

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Organisation

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 are very at home in the stimulating spacious environment the childminder provides. They receive good support from the childminder who enjoys their company and knows them well, helping them to feel secure and confident. The childminder maintains her records clearly and in a business like manner, promoting an efficient service. Parents are kept well informed of their child's activities and achievements with the childminder discussing all aspects of the children's care with them. The childminder is knowledgeable and makes good use of all her resources. However, she does not currently hold a first aid certificate.

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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): • improve knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures • complete a first aid course that includes training for infants and young children.

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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:

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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 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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