Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY314797 Inspection date 29 March 2006 Inspector Jacqueline, Ann Connell

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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 is registered to care for 4 children under 8 years, of whom, no more than 3 may be under 5 years and, of these, not more than 1 may be under 1 year. She does not provide overnight care. She currently cares for 2 pre-school children on a part-time basis and 2 school aged children, before school. The childminder lives with her husband and 2 school aged children in a semi-detached house in Alresford. Minded children have access to the ground floor of the home and to 2 of the bedrooms for sleeping purposes. There is an enclosed

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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 garden for outside play. The childminder takes children to the local school and pre-school and to toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding association (NCMA). She has an NVQ in Play work. The family has a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children experience a wide range of activities, which actively contribute to their good health and help them to understand the need for regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Most days they have opportunities to enjoy the fresh air, for example, as they play in the garden, visit the local park or go for a walk in the surrounding countryside. They develop their physical skills when they join in music and movement games, play on the slide or climbing frame and push or peddle the wheeled toys. They are confident to try out new skills because the childminder offers appropriate activities and levels of support. Children are cared for in a clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through discussion with the childminder and the daily routines which include washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet or stroking animals. They have the opportunity to rest and sleep, in line with their

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Helping children to be healthy

parent's wishes, and keep protected from illness and infection because of the childminder's effective health and hygiene procedures. Children have frequent drinks throughout the day, which help to keep them well hydrated. They enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. These take into consideration their individual likes and dietary requirements. Older children learn about a healthy diet when they help the childminder to prepare food, such as the sandwiches for lunch. Meal times are social occasions because the children sit together around the table. The childminder has appropriate storage facilities for food supplied by parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a child-centred home where the childminder identifies all risks and minimises hazards. This means children are able to move around very safely, freely and independently which helps to develop their confidence. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety outside the home. For example, children learn about road safety when they go for a walk and know that they must clear their toys off the floor in order to prevent an accident. Children independently select their own toys from the broad range of good quality, stimulating toys and play materials, which meet safety standards. They remain free

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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 from harm because the childminder checks the equipment regularly to ensure it is safe and clean. Children play with toys, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development, as she closely supervises their choice of equipment. The childminder has most of the required procedures and documents in place, and uses them effectively, to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a good awareness of her professional duty to protect children. She understands the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly on arrival and are confident in their relationship with the childminder whose warmth helps them to feel relaxed and secure. They become increasingly independent as a result of her consistent support and meaningful praise, for example, when they start to become toilet trained. Children thoroughly enjoy the informally planned activities which are stimulating and contribute to all areas of their learning. They spend their time purposefully engaged in their play, for instance, playing with play-dough, sand or small world equipment. Their learning and concentration develops in response to the childminder's effective interaction. She initiates conversations, which stimulate ideas and encourage language development, for instance, as she talks about different farm animals or discusses a shape. Experiences such as cooking and craft activities help to develop the children's creativity and are especially enjoyable.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children under three years benefit from the childminder's understanding of the needs of very young children. However, she recognises that use of the Birth to three matters material will help to enhance the activities and experiences she provides for this age group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a good relationship with the childminder who knows them well and responds to their individual and specific needs in a sensitive manner. This helps them to feel valued and respected as individuals. Children show care and concern for each other and behave well because they understand the ground rules for behaviour. For instance, they know that they do not hurt one another and that they must share their toys. They respond well to the childminder's realistic limits and to her praise and encouragement. They enjoy helping with simple tasks, such as clearing away their toys or sweeping the floor. These encourage their self-esteem and increase their independence. Children have opportunities to increase their awareness and understanding of other people through resources, such as books and small world equipment, which promote

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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 a positive view of the wider world. They enjoy activities based around different festivals. They learn about their local community when they go for a walk or visit the park or the shops. The childminder develops extremely good relationships with parents and she works very closely with them in order to follow children's home routines. She completes a daily diary for younger children and always has a daily exchange of information with parents so that they can work together to get the best outcome for the child. She gives them information about most of her policies and procedures at the introductory meetings so that they understand how she manages her business. However, although she has a complaints log in place, she has not made parents aware of her complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and comfortable in the homely, organised environment where the vibrant playroom makes them feel especially welcome and they can play freely. They are familiar with the daily routine which is flexible and planned around their individual needs. It combines a good balance of activities with periods for rest and quiet play. The childminder meets with other childminders and recognises the importance of increasing her knowledge and understanding of her work in order to provide a better quality of care for the children. She uses her policies and procedures effectively to ensure the children's needs are met. She has most of the required documentation in place, although she does not have parental consent to seek emergency treatment or advice. This means children's health and welfare is not fully promoted. 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

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): • plan and provide activities to help children's development in line with the aspects and approach described in the Birth to three matters framework • ensure there is a written complaints procedure, which includes the name and address of the regulator, and that parents are made aware of this • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency advice or treatment

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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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