Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY244409 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2006 Inspection date Tracy Bartholomew Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged 2 , 7 and 11 years in Basingstoke. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends toddler group, goes for walks, visits to the park and does school pick-ups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 child who attend on a full and part time basis.

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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 good. Children are protected from infection, as they play in a clean environment where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene. The older children are independent in their hygiene routines. They take themselves to the toilet and wash their hands afterwards. There are good strategies in place to protect the health of all children, through use of policies and procedures and documentation of medicines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They enjoy a combination of meals and snacks provided by their parents and the childminder. Meals provided by parents are stored appropriately to ensure they remain fresh. Children receive a suitable snack such as fruit or muesli bars. Drinks are readily available and accessible for the children. Children have opportunities to rest and to be active during their day. They receive regular opportunities for walks and garden play which contributes to their good health and physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the welcoming environment. They are able to play comfortably in an child centred home environment. They have access to accessible toys and resources, which are in safe and good condition. Children choose and select resources from the range on offer which helps their all round development. The children play happily under the supervision of the childminder. The premises are secure and the childminder has put most safety measures in place to support children's safety inside the home, such as sockets covers, smoke detectors and stair gates. However, the childminder has not ensured she has kept up to date with first aid guidance, which poses a risk to the children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe because the childminder understands her role in protecting children. The childminder has attended child protection training, to ensure she remains up to date with current legislation. Therefore, she is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and happy with the childminder. They receive good support, play opportunities and first-hand experiences. For example, they play peek a boo, musical instruments. They play at the mother and toddler groups and enjoy singing songs and reading book together. This allows children to build on their natural curiosity as learners, develop their language and use their imagination skills. Children enjoy a good range of stimulating activities that support their development. These can be independently chosen, from a range of activities that are easily accessible and provide stimulation for all ages. The childminder takes time to listen and value what the children say, they talk about what they are doing, with the childminder encourages children to ask appropriate questions.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have opportunities to become aware of the wider society through a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive understanding of the wider world. Children play with accessible resources, which include puzzles, small world toys like a bus and a train set which reflects positive images. The childminder has suitable systems in place to support children who have special needs, she has experience of caring for children with ADHD and autism. Children have clear and consistent boundaries, which helps them learn right from wrong. The childminder is clear and consistent with the children; the children know and understand the rules well. They develop sharing and turn-taking skills through discussion and playing games. Children receive praise from the childminder, which encourages good behaviour and contributes to their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are met well through the approach the childminder takes in ensuring good partnership with parents. She gives them detailed written and verbal feedback at the end of each day to ensure consistency for the children between the home and the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are making good progress within the childminder's home. They are at ease within the environment. This means they are confident to initiate their own play and learning. The childminder ensures that she maintains adult to child ratios at all times and keeps a suitable register of the children's attendance. Most documentation is in place, to ensure suitable management of the provision. However the childminder does not maintain confidentiality within the accident book, and does not have clear parental consent with regards to emergency medical treatment. There are written agreements in place for all the children and most consents are in place as required. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was advised to ensure her register is kept up to date and build on knowledge of child protection. The childminder has fully complied with these recommendations to ensure that the children are protected whilst in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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.

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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

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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): • ensure that the accident book maintain confidentiality • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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

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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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