Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY320616 Inspection date 10 July 2006 Inspector Carol Readman

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and children aged six and three years in a house in North Warnborough. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Minded children use the upstairs for sleeping purposes or playing at the invitation of the childminder's own children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding a total of seven children all on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family keep

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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 goldfish in an aquarium. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children at the setting are learning to be healthy. They enjoy a physically active lifestyle playing together in the garden, going on nature walks and visiting local play parks. The children enjoy lunchtime picnics in the park, benefiting from eating in the fresh air and playing on large equipment to help develop physical and co-ordination skills. The childminder ensures that children balance energetic play with more restful activities. For example, they sit and share books with the childminder after playing in the garden. Children receive a healthy balanced diet. Parents and the childminder both contribute to the children's diet at the setting. Together they ensure that children benefit from wholesome nutritious food. Children enjoy meals that contain food from all the major food groups. They receive fruit and carrot sticks for snacks as part of developing good eating habits. To avoid children becoming thirsty drinks are available at all

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Helping children to be healthy

times. The childminder teaches children the importance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet as part of keeping themselves healthy. The setting is very clean and there are good routines to ensure that food is stored appropriately and prepared hygienically. The childminder has not requested permission to seek emergency advice or treatment and to give non-prescription medicines. This puts children at risk from not receiving timely, appropriate medical treatment in an emergency. Good nutrition and hygiene routines, coupled with a positive attitude to physical activities means that children at the setting are developing a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play happily in a setting that is warm and welcoming to children and their parents. The provision is secure and well adapted to care for children. They enjoy playing with a wide range of safe and stimulating toys that they can access freely from the lounge and conservatory. Toys are in good, clean condition and appropriate to the ages and stages of development of the children. The childminder has all the equipment she needs to run her provision efficiently. On outings the children travel in appropriate car seats, adjusted specifically to fit them. Younger children ride securely on walks in a double buggy. Children receive good levels of supervision at all times to ensure their safety. They have large, clear play areas where they can safely access their toys. Gates prevent them accessing the stairs. The childminder is proactive in ensuring that children have a safe environment

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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 in which to develop. For example, children are not allowed to run, or bring toys, into the kitchen. The childminder reminds the children of this and encourages them to tidy up toys to prevent others from tripping over them. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and gives top priority to children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their play and play together very well. They are able to access toys easily and do so confidently. The childminder joins children in their play. This adds to the fun and extends learning as they talk about cars and how to make them go along the roads. Children join the childminder in activities such as making a transport poster. The childminder encourages them to play together. This helps children develop good social skills. Children are happy and settled. They are keen to play with a wide range of stimulating toys and enjoy exploring a toy garage and small world play sets. They are interested in watching cars racing down slopes and they open doors in the play set, eager to find what is inside. The childminder supports early language and communication skills very well. She listens carefully to children and encourages them to express their needs. She helps them join in conversations such as looking at

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

books and talking about what is happening in the pictures. Children enjoy a good range of activities suitable for their ages and stages. The childminder has obtained a copy of the Birth to three matters framework. She has not yet incorporated this into her practice to enhance further the care of the youngest children at the setting. Children listen to favourite stories and enjoy walks and daily visits to local play parks to play on climbing equipment. There are close relationships between the childminder and the children and she is quick to praise their achievements. This helps to build their confidence and self-esteem. Children really enjoy their time in a well-resourced setting where they play happily together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good standards of behaviour. They are positive, play well together and value each other. The childminder encourages this by the use of positive behaviour strategies. The childminder acknowledges the needs of each child on an individual basis. She greets children warmly and values them as individuals. Children have opportunities to have equal access to all equipment and activities. For example, children at the setting are completing a transport picture. All have a chance to contribute sticking pictures of modes of transport on the poster. The childminder supports children by helping them find a picture and use the glue stick as appropriate to each child.

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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 also get individual attention from a childminder who helps them progress such as by talking about favourite books to help them concentrate and extend their vocabulary. Children learn about valuing others and diverse society. The childminder ensures that they learn about the wider world in planned activities such as leaning about different foods and cultures. Again, all contributed to a picture of people from around the world. The childminder is committed to promoting equal opportunities within the setting. The childminder works closely with the parents of the children in her care. She ensures that she shares all relevant information with parents and is keen to work together to support children with developmental delays. This results in children's individual needs being identified, valued and addressed. Children flourish in the

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision is well organised and adapted to care for children. The childminder uses the space very well to allow all to play, eat and sleep in comfort and safety. All necessary regulatory documentation is in place. The childminder has not yet obtained all the permissions she needs to run her provision in a fully effective and efficient manner. Children thrive at a setting where the childminder meets their individual needs very well. They play in safety and receive a healthy nutritional diet. Children learn about good health and safety in age appropriate ways. They travel in appropriate child seats in the car. Children benefit from a warm, trusting relationship that they build with the childminder that helps them develop confidence and self-esteem. There is a good range of activities, both planned and unplanned, support learning in all areas of development. The childminder constantly seeks ways to improve her practice. She

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Organisation

has obtained a copy of the Birth to three matters framework. She plans to develop the use of this to enhance further the good care offered to the very youngest at the setting. 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

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Complaints 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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • request written parental permission to seek emergency advice or treatment and written prior consent to administer non-prescription medicines. • develop knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework, to enhance further the good practice offered to children under the age of three years

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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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