Childminder in Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY312220 Inspection date 28 June 2006 Inspector Carole Gronow

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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 satisfactory. 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 four children, three of whom are under eight, in the Sholing area of Southampton. All areas of the property are available to minded children and there is a secure rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight and is currently minding two children under five on a part time basis, term time only, and three children over five who attend at various times before and after school and during the holidays.

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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 takes children to the local school by car. She attends a parent and toddler group, takes children to the nearby parks and to the library. The family have a pet cat. She is a member of both the Southampton and the National Childminding Associations.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where they are encouraged to develop good hygiene routines. For example, they wash their hands before eating, after going to the toilet and handling animals as well as at other times. Paper towels and easy dispenser soaps are provided for their use. The toys and play equipment that children have access to are all kept in a hygienic condition. They are cleaned on a regular basis and any toys that young children play with and put in their mouths are frequently sterilized. This all helps to minimise the risks to children of any cross-infection. The risk is further reduced as the childminder uses disposable gloves when changing young children and she sprays the mat with anti-bacterial spray between use. Children have regular opportunities for outside play and physical exercise as they go out of doors daily. They play in the garden in the playhouse and

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Helping children to be healthy

on equipment such as the trampoline or with bats and balls. They go on visits to parks where they play on the swings and climbing frames and walk along stepping stones. They sometimes go on planned cycle rides and this all helps to develop their large muscle skills and to improve their balance and co-ordination. Children are encouraged to eat a healthy diet and the childminder offers to provide children with freshly prepared meals. For instance; dinner of chicken breast with vegetables and new potatoes or shepherds pie and baked beans, followed by rice pudding, yoghurt or fruit. Children are given snacks which consist of fresh fruit, breadsticks or vegetable slices. Children who are cared for during the school holidays receive a nutritionally balanced packed lunch which is stored in their own individually named cool bag. Children can ask for drinks at any time and are given them upon request.

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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 very safe and secure environment and they have access to play provision which is modern, in good condition and regularly checked by the childminder. She has identified all potential hazards in her home and has taken appropriate steps to minimise them. For instance, she has locks on cupboards, has fitted catches to prevent windows opening widely and has protected all low-level glass. The front door is kept locked, with the keys accessible, and only the childminder answers it. Children are only allowed to be collected by people who 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 childminder knows and she ensures that she does not leave children with others but supervises them herself at all times. Children are well protected in the event of a fire as the childminder has mains linked smoke alarms on both levels of the property and has a fire blanket in the kitchen. Children are learning about how to respond in an emergency as the childminder regularly involves them in practising her emergency evacuation plan which she has discussed with them. She has not yet however, practised this when babies who need to be carried are being cared for. The childminder has sufficient understanding of child protection procedures to be able to act in children's best interest in areas of concern. She records any pre existing injuries or marks in her accident book which

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are helped to become gradually familiar with the childminder as she has introductory visits prior to caring for any child. She is happy to make home visits in order to discuss children and therefore ensure that they get to know her and so that she can make sure that there is continuity of care. Children settle well at the childminder's house. The childminder's good knowledge of child development means that she supports children appropriately and they access play provision that is suitable for their age and stage of development. Babies lie on the floor happily and respond with smiles to the childminder when she talks and plays with them. Babies are encouraged to explore the world through their senses. They are given opportunities to experience different textures such as wooden blocks and fabric and board books. They are beginning to make connections as they realise that some toys

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

make noises when you move them and if they stretch they can reach toys a little further away. They are developing a sense of belonging as they play alongside the childminder who is attentive and sensitive to them. For instance, she encourages them to grasp toys like the ones on the baby gym and they respond to her facial gestures. She is aware when they are upset and tired and consoles them and reassures them as she encourages them to drop off to sleep without their dummies which have been left at home. Children enjoy playing with a very good range of well-maintained resources which the childminder uses to interest children and support their learning for example, board games, small world figures and imaginative play like the vegetable stall, cash registers and dressing up. The childminder plans a wide range of exciting and purposeful activities for the children, such as baking, going on picnics, going fishing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and on cycle rides. Activities which contribute to their creativity include: junk modelling, play-dough, decorating cakes and biscuits, making musical shakers and painting in different ways such as with sponges, stencils, blow and marble painting.

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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 Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest. They go to the beach where they talk about the boats sailing on the Solent and they play hide and seek in the nearby abbey ruins. They go to feed the ducks and on routine outings to the library, the local parks and the shops. They enjoy 'treasure hunts' that the childminder plans whilst on walks at Victoria Country Park and they make visits to the Hawthorns Centre where they look at the wildlife. They go further afield on visits to Moors Valley and as a treat even go on train rides. The childminder provides some resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. Children have access to toys that she borrows from the toy library, such as a wheel chair for dolls, as well as other things that she has in her provision. However, only limited opportunities are provided

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Helping children make a positive contribution

for children to learn about and celebrate different festivals. The childminder uses positive methods for managing behaviour, which helps children to learn to understand behaviour boundaries. Children know how they should behave because they discuss the childminder’s house rules with her which have been written on a poster and are displayed at child height for them to refer to. All children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder ensures that she finds out about any specific requirements prior to caring for any child in order that she can provide the most appropriate care. Children's needs are well met; they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents and which the childminder gets in writing for her to refer to. Children benefit from the good relationships that exist between their parents and the childminder. Childrens' achievements, their daily activities and care issues are discussed and shared with parents daily on both a

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who is committed to ongoing training in order to keep her up to date and develop her skills. The childminder has a portfolio about her service which she shares with prospective families. She uses policies and procedures to promote the welfare and care of children. She shares them with parents to keep them well informed about her service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. The childminder does not however, inform parents how she ensures their children's safety when they visit a relations home for school age children to use a swimming pool. She has considered how to manage this, but she has not undertaken a written risk assessment and neither is there anything else in writing about it.

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Organisation

The childminder has obtained all the necessary documentation, including signed parental consents in order for her to provide appropriate care for children. She is aware of the importance of confidentiality within her work. She stores all her paperwork, such as accident records, away and files every child's individual information separately, even if they are from the same family. She ensures that she keeps an accurate record of children's times of attendance. The childminder is aware that it is her responsibility to update Ofsted about any change in circumstance. She has not, however, submitted the necessary documentation in order for suitability

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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 checks to be carried out on an adult who has moved into the property since she was registered. Consequently, she is in breach of her 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

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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): • notify Ofsted promptly of any change in circumstance • undertake a written risk assessment about children's use of the swimming pool and inform parents of it.

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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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