Hamilton-Clements, Lisa Maria

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY292362 Inspection date 22 August 2005 Inspector Gillian Little

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives in a village north of Oxford with her husband and three children aged 10, 5 and 3 years. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has two cats and two goldfish. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local mobile library and to the local park. The childminder is registered to care for four children under 8 years at any one time

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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 and is currently minding two children on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play in a generally clean and hygienic environment where the childminder keeps pets safe and healthy, and keeps toys and equipment acceptably clean. Children learn about appropriate health and hygiene practices, such as washing hands after using the toilet, but there is a risk cross-infection, as they do not have individual hand-towels. Children have regular opportunities for physical activity such as playing in the garden, walking to and from school and taking part in frequent outings, such as trips to museums, the local park and walks in the woods. Some records regarding children’s health are in place but the childminder does not obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. This increases the risk of delaying treatment to a child in an emergency. Children receive an appropriate diet as the childminder serves regular meals, snacks

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Helping children to be healthy

and drinks brought from the child’s home. Children learn about healthy eating practices, for example, the childminder talks to them about the importance of eating fruit and vegetables.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play in a welcoming, family oriented environment. They have free access to all areas of the property and this gives them sufficient space to play comfortably. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by the generally safe and secure environment. Safety features such as window locks, smoke alarms and thermostatically controlled radiators are in place to ensure that children stay safe. However, some aerosol sprays in a bathroom cupboard are within older children’s reach and this poses a risk to their safety. Children stay safe in the fully enclosed garden, which has a large area of level lawn. Children of different ages are able to develop skills, both indoors and outdoors, using appropriate equipment and toys, which are safe and easily accessible. Children stay safe on outings as they are under close supervision of the childminder and they are familiar with rules to keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe as all adults living in the household have suitable checks and the childminder has a suitable understanding of child protection procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play in a settled and calm environment. They relate well to each other, sharing toys, laughing and chatting. They enjoy engaging in interesting conversations with the childminder and her family, talking about family events and their everyday lives, such as a pet cat having kittens. They receive a good level of interaction from the childminder, which helps to promote their social and language skills. Children play with a sufficient selection of toys to develop further skills in mathematical thinking and imagination. These include dressing up, small world play and games, which the children are able to choose freely. The childminder ensures that they have different activities to play with each day in order to maintain their interest and develop their skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children become aware of wider society and develop positive attitudes towards diversity as the childminder talks to them about people from different backgrounds. However, there are few resources to help support the children’s understanding of different cultures, religions and disabilities. The childminder is not currently caring for children with special needs but has some experience in this area. Children benefit positively from the childminder’s consistent and appropriate approach to behaviour management. They receive praise and recognition for their efforts and this helps to increase their self-esteem. They take responsibility for themselves, for example, by helping to tidy up, and they accept and abide by household rules. Children benefit from the childminder’s positive relationships with parents. The childminder talks to parents each day about their children so that they can exchange

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Helping children make a positive contribution

appropriate information and develop consistency between the home and care environments. She gains appropriate information about most children when they first start with her. However, she does not request detailed information about children attending on a casual basis and is therefore not fully aware of all children’s individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has appropriate experience and meets her adult: child ratio at all times to ensure that children receive satisfactory attention and care. She generally supervises children closely but does not always remember to do this when parents are present to drop off other children and this increases risks to their safety. She does not hold a current First Aid certificate but has arrangements in place to address

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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 this in the near future. Mandatory documentation is in place for most children. It is easily available to the childminder who is aware of the importance of confidentiality. However, the register does not show children attending on a casual basis or times when children are in school. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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): • ensure that a current first aid certificate is maintained • ensure that aerosol sprays are inaccessible to children • ensure that an accurate register and individual records are maintained for all children

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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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