Home Childcarer in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

505795 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2006 Inspection date Alison Jane Kaplonek 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered for 18 years. She is registered to care for no more than six children under eight years at any time and to provide overnight care for one child aged over five years. She lives with her husband and their five children all of whom are aged over eight years in a house in Otterbourne, Hampshire close to local schools, shops and parks that are all within walking distance of her home. The whole of the house is registered for childminding but the childminder chooses not to allow children access to the dining room. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet rabbit.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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 satisfactory. Children play an active part in keeping themselves healthy by taking themselves to the downstairs toilet and washing their hands, although they are not fully protected from the spread of infection when drying their hands. They benefit from good hygiene practises which ensure that surfaces, changing mats and equipment are clean. Parents are consulted regarding any health or dietary needs their children may have and give permission for the childminder to seek emergency treatment or advice.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a satisfactory range of snacks such as fruit or biscuits. Older children are regularly offered drinks and can request others at any time and toddlers can help themselves to their trainer cups. Children who stay for the day are provided with packed lunches by their parents. They are encouraged to sit together whilst eating and enjoy the social occasion with their friends. Children who stay after school are provided with a cooked evening meal. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play where they can enjoy physical activities such as swinging, sliding and running in safety. They sometimes visit a local park where they take part in activities which promote their physical development such as ball games or climbing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment and are protected from harm by the use of an appropriate range of safety measures, such as stair gates and cupboard locks. They can safely access the downstairs area of the house and the fully enclosed garden while being supervised by the childminder. The childminder makes good use of the available space, both inside and out, putting out a selection of resources for children to choose from each day. Children benefit from the use of appropriate record keeping, such as those kept of any accidents or medication administered, and these are shared with parents.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection issues to protect children in her care, and knows that she has a duty to report any concerns she may have, although she does not have the telephone numbers of her local social services.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of resources which provide them with stimulating and enjoyable activities which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. These are changed on a daily basis depending on which children are being cared for. Younger children enjoy playing with the soft toys, shape sorters or musical instruments while the older children look forward to the craft or model making activities which they can take part in when the younger ones are asleep. The childminder interacts well with the children, for example talking about the different uses for the equipment in the doctors kit or explaining about how to build

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 model aeroplane. She listens carefully to the children and praises them for their achievements, boosting their self-esteem and confidence.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated with respect and their individual needs well met. They settle well and are developing their sense of belonging. Many of the children and their siblings have been cared for by the childminder for a number of years and are familiar with the routines of the day. They talk with the childminder about their families and events in their lives, such as where they have been on holiday or what they have done at school. Children are all fully involved in the life and routines of the provision, choosing snacks or activities or talking about what they would like for tea. They are provided with a good range of resources and activities which help them understand their own needs and those of others, such as books and play food.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are provided with clear boundaries with regard to responsible behaviour and behave well. The childminder talks about issues such as equal opportunities and child protection with the parents when they first register their children into her care. Effective communication when they collect their children each day, ensures that they are regularly updated about the daily routine.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well settled in this family environment. They are supervised at all times and never left with an un-vetted adult. Children's health and safety is assured as a satisfactory range of agreements with parents, such as permission to seek emergency treatment or advice or to take photographs are in place. A daily register is kept showing which children have attended each day. However, the register is not countersigned by parents and permission to take children on outings has not been obtained. Good essential records, are in place such as a record of accidents, contracts and children's detail forms. These are all well organised, shared with parents, and stored in a confidential manner. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure that parental permission for emergency treatment was obtained in writing. This has been completed for all children. She was also asked to ensure that the exact times of children's arrival and departure were recorded in the daily attendance register and this is now completed each day, although not countersigned by parents. This is a recommendation at this inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to provide more toys that reflect positive images. She has now purchased more books, play food and dolls which enable her to initiate conversation with the children about differences and valuing all people.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

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.4

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure that children are protected from the spread of infection when drying their hands • ensure that contact details for local child protection teams are available in case any issues need to be dealt with urgently • make sure that parents sign the register to confirm times of arrival and departure and that they give written permission for their children to be taken on outings.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

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.5