Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY309230 Inspection date 19 July 2006 Inspector Nicola Hill

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and their two children aged three and 22 months. They live in an end-of-terrace house in Farnborough. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The whole of the house is used for childminding, with toilet facilities available on the ground floor and provision for children to sleep available upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler group. She is registered to care for a maximum of four

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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 children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged two, who attends on a part-time basis. She is not registered to provide overnight care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a varied range of activities which contribute to their good health. They receive plenty of fresh air as they go for walks, play in the garden with the sand and water and regularly visit the local parks. Outings to local play centres and garden activities, such as bouncing on the mini trampoline, crawling through the tunnel and pedalling bicycles, improves children's physical skills and helps them develop control of their bodies. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs. Children's physical needs are well met as the childminder recognises when they are tired and follows their individual routines with regards to sleeping. The food provided by the childminder is nutritious and freshly prepared, which promotes children's good health. The childminder takes into account the wishes of the parents and the children's preferences to provide meals that are appealing. The

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Helping children to be healthy

children enjoy fruit and vegetables, such as cucumbers and shelled peas, that the childminder incorporates into snacks, lunches and freshly cooked hot dinners. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of a healthy diet by taking part in cooking activities, such as making melon boats and ice lollies, and going to the local farm to dig up carrots and pick strawberries in the summer. Children are able to help themselves to drinks throughout the day and good social interaction is fostered as the children sit at the table and eat together. Children's health is promoted by consistent daily routines to ensure the premises and resources are clean and well maintained. The childminder ensures children have their own flannels and towels, which prevents cross-contamination, and ensures children wash their hands at appropriate times, such as before meals. The childminder acts as a good role model and shows a good understanding of hygienic

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Helping children to be healthy

food preparation as she uses separate cutting boards for preparing meat and vegetables. The childminder follows appropriate procedures when children become ill and records accidents and any medication administered to children. However, written parental consents for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment, have not yet been obtained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home that is welcoming to children and in a good state of repair and decoration. The clear space provided for play allows the children to explore their surroundings freely, which develops their confidence and independence. Sound security precautions also contribute to child safety, as the front door remains locked at all times and the childminder uses high supervision in 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 garden due to the low fence. The childminder has taken most steps to minimise any risks to children, however sharp knives are currently accessible in the kitchen and the rotary clothes line in the garden is not covered. Children are learning about the importance of staying safe as the childminder discusses road safety and fire evacuation procedures with them. Children are able to access a range of safe and good quality toys and resources that are age and stage appropriate for the children currently attending. Children are able to self-select from a range of toys stored in a cupboard under the stairs. They also go upstairs with the childminder to select other toys from bedrooms, which are then brought downstairs for play. The childminder regularly checks the toys to ensure they

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are clean and in a good condition. Children are suitably protected as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home. The childminder has most of the required documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. However, this is not always completed sufficiently. The childminder's knowledge of child protection issues is sound and she understands the procedures to follow should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children gain good levels of self-esteem and confidence, which is benefited by the good settling in procedures in place. Children settle quickly on arrival and are confident in their relationship with the childminder. The childminder enjoys the company of the children in her care and ensures she gives plenty of meaningful praise and encouragement, which contributes to the children's sense of belonging and encourages them to be increasingly self-assured. Children are able to experience activities both indoors and out, which contribute to their overall development. Routine outings to the local parks and to the library for story time, as well as planned trips to places such as the farm and Virginia Water lake, stimulate children's interest in the wider world around them. The children relate well to each other and learn to socialise with other children and adults through regular visits to toddler groups and play centres such as Fizzy Kids.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a good range of opportunities such as art and craft, play on the computer, cooking, outdoor play and games. The childminder prepares well for each day and always has an activity in mind, which ensures the children are well stimulated. However, she is also keen to build on the children's interests. For example, she helps the children who are avid fans of Thomas the Tank Engine, to build and decorate a large Thomas train out of cardboard boxes. The childminder supports children's communication skills well by responding to their gestures and talking to them as they play. She contributes towards developing children's basic mathematical skills as she asks what colour trains they are playing with, and points out what happens when paint is mixed together. The children spend their time purposefully and are eager to participate. They use their senses as they splash in the water and dig in the sand outside, and develop creativity as they make parrots from

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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 cardboard tubes and skittles from old bottles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated with equal concern. Their individual needs are being met as the childminder follows their daily routines and informs parents about their care and development through individual scrapbooks, detailing how the children have progressed over time. Relationships with parents are friendly and their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to. The childminder discusses various aspects of her business with the parents, however she has not put her policies into writing to fully inform parents of her role and responsibilities. Children behave generally very well. They play harmoniously together and learn to share resources such as the train set with support from the childminder. All children are praised and encouraged. The childminder has realistic expectations and handles behavioural issues well, by removing children from a volatile situation, talking to them

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Helping children make a positive contribution

calmly and helping them to understand the difference between right and wrong. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of equal opportunities and special needs issues. Children are learning to develop a positive attitude towards others through toys and books that reflect diversity. They are encouraged to discuss and accept differences and learn about familiar and unfamiliar cultures as they say a prayer before eating and celebrate festivals such as Easter and Chinese New Year.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease through the satisfactory organisation of the environment. There is sufficient space to allow children to play freely and they have regular opportunities to relax as well as be active within the daily routine. The children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning and many resources are stored to enable self-selection. Good adult interaction enables the children to be polite and self-assured. The childminder organises time sufficiently well to meet the needs of the children she is caring for. Required adult to child ratios are maintained at all times, ensuring the children are appropriately supported. The childminder has a range of suitable documentation in place which enables her to meet the children's needs. However, not all records are effectively maintained in order to safeguard the children's welfare and care. For

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Organisation

example, not all accident records detail the treatment given by the childminder and some entries have been recorded in pencil. In addition, the childminder does not record children's attendance on a daily basis, and some documentation could not be located by the childminder when requested, such as her first aid certificate and evidence of criminal records checks. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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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): • further safeguard children's welfare and care by ensuring written consents are obtained from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • improve safety practices and procedures within the home by making the rotary clothes line safe or inaccessible to children and by making sure hazardous items in the kitchen are out of reach of children • improve written information provided for parents to ensure they are fully aware of the policies of the setting, such as child protection procedures, behaviour management strategies, fire evacuation and sickness policies • improve the organisation and maintenance of documentation by ensuring accident records are completed fully and in ink, that the register is kept up-to-date and that evidence of personal training and checks of household

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The quality and standards of the care

members are easily located for inspection.

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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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