Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY331288 Inspection date 12 September 2006 Inspector Judith Reed

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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 2006. She lives in the North Millers Dale area of Chandlers Ford in Hampshire with her husband and three young children. Children have access to the whole of the house with the exception of the dining room. They have use of a fully enclosed garden and are regularly taken out for walks. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children. The childminder walks to and from local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have no pets.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are healthy because the childminder has an understanding of hygiene issues. The childminder uses disposable paper to cover the changing mat and wears gloves to change nappies. She washes her hands thoroughly following nappy changes and cleans the mat. Children are taught to wash their hands after using the toilet as well as before eating. Babies have their hands cleaned with baby wipes. The childminder has completed a first aid course and keeps suitable first aid kits to hand both at home, as well as when out and about. Procedures for dealing with injuries, administering medication, and caring for sick children are clear and are shared with parents. The childminder has not obtained written permission for emergency medical treatment for minded children. Children are reminded to have drinks and the baby is offered water often. The childminder is very aware of offering children plenty of drinks and keeps drinks to

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Helping children to be healthy

hand at all times. The childminder works closely with parents regarding food and drink and at the current time parents provide the meals for very young children. Parents are informed about food consumed. Children are offered healthy snacks of rice cakes, grapes, and occasional biscuits. The childminder has experience and training in providing a healthy and nutritious diet. Children benefit from frequent opportunities for outside play. They use the well organised garden and equipment such as slides, sand pit and climbing apparatus. The childminder takes children for walks to local schools and pre school as well as into nearby woods. Children also enjoy regular trips to nearby farms and play parks.

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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 secure environment where they move around freely. The front door is kept locked and the rear garden is fully fenced and secure. Children are protected from the risk of accidental injury by the good use of safety equipment. Socket covers, stair gates and fire guards are in place. Most cleaning equipment is stored on high shelves in the utility area and kitchen cupboards have latches. The childminder has necessary fire safety equipment in place and has planned fire evacuation procedures. Children are kept safe during outings and remain under direct supervision of the childminder at all times. They begin to learn about crossing the road safely. The childminder ia also very aware of protecting children from the sun. Children access resources independently. Toys and equipment are stored in low level storage boxes in the living room and under the stairs. One kitchen unit is used

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to store messy equipment for painting, drawing, and play dough as well as books and puzzles. Children are encouraged to help themselves from this cupboard, bringing puzzles and books into the living room to complete. The childminder ensures toys

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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 and equipment are suitable and safe for those children present. She cleans toys when necessary. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and understands her professional duty regarding child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy with childminder. Younger children enjoy watching older children as they play. They sit or lie on a play mat and other children offer them a selection of toys to handle and explore. The children entertain each other and the older children experience helping to care for the younger ones. The childminder is very aware of the needs of the younger children in her care and when they become unsettled she changes their position on the mat to enable them to develop the strength in their muscles. She is also aware of when the children need to have a nap and cuddles the children, talking to them in a soothing manner, before taking them to their cots. The childminder makes regular observations of sleeping children. Children complete a long alphabet puzzle with support from the childminder. They wonder how to fit the puzzle back into the box and the childminder encourages them to think of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their own solution. They break up the puzzle and post individual pieces through the slot in the box, tidying away the whole puzzle successfully. They organise the small world play set and arrange the play people in suitable transport to move around the village. Children amuse themselves well and play creatively making up their own stories with the set. Later children bring books from the store cupboard to share with the childminder. They enjoy searching the pictures for the characters from the stories.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder knows them well. They develop an understanding of diversity through the range of toys and books available. Children use a range of toys which reflect diversity including small world people, dolls and books showing people from other cultures, as well as those with disabilities. The childminder has an equal opportunities policy in place and integrates this into the play provision as much as possible. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with disabilities or learning difficulties, but has a positive attitude towards additional needs and would work closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children behave well and are polite. They are encouraged in their activities and gently reminded to share equipment when necessary. The childminder distracts

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children and offers alternative activities if behaviour deteriorates. She works closely with parents regarding challenging behaviour.

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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 benefit from the good communication between the childminder and their parents. The childminder has built a sound business relationship with parents. They discuss food consumption and hygiene issues. Parents are happy with the current level of communication. Parents are shown copies of all policies including the complaints procedure. The childminder has not created a complaints record.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the suitable and well organised environment. They settle well and are familiar with the home. The childminder ensures she remains within her ratio at all times and that her register is always up to date and accurate. The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of her registration. Children's care is enhanced due to the additional training undertaken by the childminder. She has taken a number of further training courses and has prepared a development plan detailing future training planned. The childminder does not leave children unaccompanied with anyone who is not vetted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder is very well organised and keeps all documentation confidential. She keeps most necessary forms and information to hand and ensures she holds emergency contact information about minded children at all times when she is out

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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

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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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): • obtain written permission for emergency medical treatment for all minded children • provide a complaints record for parents to see on request.

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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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