Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY279242 Unique Reference Number 03 May 2006 Inspection date Sheila Collins Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her two children aged five and three, in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The whole of the childminder's house is available for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder is registered to care for two children overnight. The childminder takes children to and collects from local schools and pre-schools.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a current first aid certificate.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine. Older children are independent in their self care, washing their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. Younger children have help from the childminder. The childminder has good hygiene practices herself and supports the children well.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder actively promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. The children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of their individual health needs and all the relevant documentation is in place, to support the meeting of these needs. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and a good understanding of the ways to prevent accidents, which contributes to keeping the children healthy.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder consults with parents about their child's dietary requirements and preferences. The childminder promotes healthy eating within her home. Children receive healthy, well balanced home cooked meals. They also have healthy snacks, such as fruit and can choose from a range of drinks.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy physical exercise and the childminder successfully plans their day to ensure that they have a wide range of excellent activities to help them develop physically. Outings to the park, as well as playing in the garden on equipment, enable the children to spend time outside in the fresh air.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She conducts regular risk assessments. She involves the children in discussions about safety procedures such as evacuation in an emergency, which increases the children's awareness of safety issues. Children learn to keep themselves safe when out on walks both in town and in the countryside. The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending, which includes items such as safety barriers. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has built up a comprehensive range of toys and resources for the children to use, which covers all areas of their development. The children independently access toys and activities for themselves from the range in the living room. The childminder rotates these with others from upstairs and the children help choose the alternatives.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a good working knowledge of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children settle well at the childminder’s house. They are confident and make themselves at home. They have extremely good relationships with the childminder, who praises their efforts and achievements. They socialise with other children and the younger children benefit from regular attendance at local toddler groups.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children select what they would like to do from the good range of stage appropriate toys, which the childminder puts out to support their learning and development. The childminder rotates the toys to maintain the children's interest. The children involve the childminder in their play. She is supportive and suggests ways to extend their play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the needs of each child in her care and is therefore able to offer excellent activities and resources, which will appeal to all the children. The childminder takes into account the children’s own routines when planning the day. The children benefit from the taking part in an excellent variety of activities through out the week for them, both within the home and outside, which contributes to their all round development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has in-depth knowledge of the individual needs of each child through ongoing discussion with parents. She ensures that all children are included in the activities. The children use a wide range of resources, which promote a positive view of different cultures and abilities. They enjoy activities, which increase their awareness of the diversity of the wider world; for example, celebrating different festivals.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children understand the rules and boundaries that are in place. They know the rules for acceptable behaviour and the childminder talks with them so that they are aware of why any unwanted behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder encourages good standards of behaviour, by the use of positive behaviour strategies, lots of praise, and plenty of encouragement, which builds the children's confidence and self-esteem. However, not all strategies are clear for children as the ‘time- out’ mat doubles as a potty training area, giving children mixed messages.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. Contracts are in place so that both parents and childminder are clear about the arrangements. The childminder produces newsletters, completes daily sheets on the children and discusses with parents to keep them informed about events and their children's progress.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children benefit from the childminder's excellent organisation. The childminder organises her time and the space available very well, to give the children a good range of play and learning

p.4

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 experiences both in and outside of the home environment. All the children benefit from the childminder's careful planning and organisation of the day. Their own routines are incorporated which makes them feel secure. The available space is well laid out and planned to give the children different areas for different activities; for example, imaginative play in the lounge and table top activities such as, puzzles and messy play in the dining area. The older children play in the upstairs den and the younger children use the area with the childminder.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has all the required documentation in place to make sure that she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. Information, records and policies are relevant and kept to a good standard.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, three recommendations were made. These were regarding the updating of first aid knowledge, written parental permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and extending resources.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

These recommendations have been addressed. The childminder has a current valid first aid certificate and has the necessary written permission from parents in place. This promotes the children's well being. The childminder has extended her range of resources and continues to look for more which reflect positive images of people with disabilities.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • review the strategies used to manage children's behaviour.

p.5

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 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

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

p.6