Barnes, Rebecca Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY331893 Inspection date 28 June 2006 Inspector Sue Stuart

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and child aged 9 months in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 one child under five part time, and four children over five after school. The childminder takes children to and collects children from the local school and pre-schools. She is a member of the national Childminding Association and holds a NNEB qualification.

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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 well cared for in a clean, comfortable home environment where the childminder’s health and hygiene practices reduce their risk to cross-infection, for instance children have individual towels in the cloakroom. Their dietary requirements are understood by the childminder who works closely with parents to ensure children are offered appropriate meals, such as snacks for the older children after school. Drinks are readily available throughout the day. Children make healthy choices from a selection of fruit, such as raisins and bananas. This practice ensures children are well nourished and enjoy a healthy diet. Procedures for administering medicines and recording accidents are in place and implemented correctly, this ensures children are appropriately cared for in the event of an accident. Children are developing a healthy life style. They benefit from regular visits to the

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Helping children to be healthy

local play park where they use climbing frames and slides to develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is supported through regular assessment of potential risks within the home and on outings. They have a safe environment in which to play as the childminder has taken appropriate steps to minimize potential hazards, such as restricting access to upstairs with a stair gate. An emergency evacuation plan is in place to ensure children’s safety is supported. Children are able to move around downstairs safely. Resources are well maintained and are stored effectively to enable children to access them freely. Children are kept safe outdoors and on outings through generally effective measures. Currently children have limited access to the garden because of the uneven concrete surface. The fully enclosed secure garden has two locked sheds where the outdoor equipment is safely stored. The childminder understands her role and responsibilities regarding child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

issues and is aware of how to protect the children if she were concerned about their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are familiar with the daily routine are relaxed and comfortable in the home environment. They are confident and self assured as they happily play with their

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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 chosen activity. They have good opportunities to choose from a range of age appropriate toys to initiate their play. They develop good social skills and have a positive relationship with each other and the childminder, for example children enjoy their shared experiences at meal times. All children benefit from the good individual care and attention where they are listened to and valued. They are confident in her care responding with pleasure as she involves them all in activities together, such as playing a game identifying parts of their bodies. Their efforts are encouraged and praised and this increases their confidence to take part in shared game. The childminder engages their interest and encourages their language skills, for instance as they try to fit cars into a garage and push the cars along the floor. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

have opportunities to participate in a range of activities, including attending local groups to access additional resources and meet with other children to develop their social skills. The childminder has a good understanding of children’s developmental needs and uses this knowledge to offer appropriate challenges, for example older children play skittles in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a positive partnership with parents which supports her well in meeting children's individual needs. Regular exchanges of information between the childminder and parents ensures that children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. The childminder will readily discuss concerns and issues which may arise in promoting children's health and welfare. However, parents do not receive additional information, such as a leaflet about the childminding or a daily diary, to enhance the partnership with parents and children's well-being. Children develop an awareness of our diverse society as they use appropriate resources such as small world people and books. They learn about the local community as they walk to and from school. Children are valued, able to follow their own routines, for example sleep times, and their individual differences respected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder has devised appropriate ‘house rules’ for the older children and this ensures they know what is expected of them. Younger children respond to appropriate use of praise to reward good behaviour. They relate well to each other and develop good social skills, taking turns and sharing fairly for instance, sharing cars together.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder makes good use of her home and local facilities. The childminder's home is welcoming and friendly where children feel settled and secure. There is

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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 sufficient clear floor space in the sitting room for children to play in comfort. They use the dining area for eating and craft work. They have access to an appropriate range of toys and equipment for them to develop their play. All of the required records and documents are maintained and up to date and kept securely in a locked box file. However, policies and procedures to promote the welfare and care of children are not always shared with parents, such as child protection and complaints. She is keen to access local childminding training to support her in providing a safe stimulating environment for the children in her care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the registration visit the childminder agreed to fit a second smoke alarm, consider the safety of a glass TV unit, and the safety of the garden. She also agreed to obtain a first aid certificate and business insurance for her car. The childminder has fitted a second smoke alarm, removed the glass doors from the TV unit, and obtained business car insurance. The garden is to be landscaped next year and the concrete surface is to be removed. The childminder is to attend a first aid course as soon as possible. Overall these improvements contribute to the well-being of children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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): • develop policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe

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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 management of children, such as child protection and complaints, and share these with parents • provide parents with information about the routines and child care practices.

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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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