Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY318080 Inspection date 10 July 2006 Inspector Jennifer Pearce

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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 two sons aged four years and two years in a house in Chandler's Ford. The whole 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 years on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and provides overnight care. The childminder has two pet cats.

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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 cared for in a clean, child-centred home. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that each child's individual needs are met, particularly in relation to hygiene. Children learn the importance of good hygiene through the daily practice and role model of the childminder. Special attention is given to the prevention of cross infection during nappy changing routines, through the use of disposable gloves and anti bacterial spray for cleaning. Children learn to wash their hands after using the toilet and playing outside, and before eating and cooking activities. Children's toys and equipment are clean and well maintained and children have their own individual flannels, towels and bedding for daily use. Children are served with nutritious foods at snack and meal times. These include a selection of home cooked meals and fresh fruit and vegetables at each meal. Meals

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Helping children to be healthy

may either be warm or cold depending on the wishes of the parents. The childminder provides parents with a menu of cooked meals and snacks in a diary at the end of each day. This helps to keep parents informed about what their child has eaten and the drinks that have been offered. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and works closely with them to provide food and drinks to meet the children's dietary needs. Children and babies enjoy a variety of activities which contribute to their physical development and general good health. They enjoy regular physical exercise both in and out of doors. Throughout the daily routine the childminder provides activities to help the children to develop control of their bodies. Babies have freedom to move indoors and manoeuvre themselves around furniture and equipment as they discover what they can do. They begin to handle and explore different resources and crawl

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Helping children to be healthy

towards or pull themselves up to reach equipment they can see. All children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills using different parts of their bodies, for example, when they play in the garden children have opportunities to climb up the slide, jump on the trampette, use tools in the sand, ride in the car, or swing in the hammock.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious environment. They are able to move around freely from room to room as any risks are identified by the childminder. This ensures that children are able to access all areas safely and independently. The childminder organises toys and resources well. Children are able to select activities and resources from a good range of quality toys and equipment as the childminder carefully monitors and checks these on a regular basis. Children begin to learn how to follow instructions to stay safe both inside and outside

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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 of the home. For example, children learn that they must not open the front door and to stay close when crossing roads, always watching out for traffic. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example, babies sleep safely and comfortably and are frequently monitored, smoke alarms and fire evacuation procedures are in place and young children are securely positioned in seats when eating their meals. Children's welfare and care is safeguarded as the childminder has all the required documentation and procedures in place. For example, the childminder has a written statement about child protection. This is discussed and shared with parents before the children attend and the childminder has knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and knows the correct procedure to follow should she have any

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are settled and at ease in the childminder's home. Babies enjoy cuddles and develop their confidence as they crawl about the home, helping themselves to toys from around them. Children are motivated and interested in the stimulating selection of developmentally appropriate activities. They clearly enjoy being in the childminder's care as she interacts with them well and joins in their play activities. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to adapt activities, such as painting, music making and singing, to encourage the babies and younger children's development. The childminder encourages all children to develop their language skills during activities, for example, as she talks to them when stacking bricks, counting the number of bricks and talking about the colours. Children and babies smile in response to conversation, for example, when they look at a book together,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder asks the baby if she can open up the peach, or find the fly or bee. The baby lifts the flap during the story and points to the insects in the picture. The childminder praises the children constantly and they smile in response to the conversation and praise. Children make connections as they construct a track for the train. Babies respond to the childminder's instructions and attempt to put the sections of the track together, take them apart and press the button to make the train sound. Babies smile with delight at their own achievements. They use sound, gestures and movement as they join in activities, for example, when the childminder sings jingle bells the baby joins in enthusiastically shaking the hand bells in rhythm. Children develop their imagination as they become engaged and involved in activities. They learn about the weather as the childminder discusses the rain and the activities they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

will be doing indoors. The childminder clearly understands the needs of the children in her care. She works closely with parents exchanging information on a daily basis through conversation and individual diaries. This includes details about meal times and the foods the children have eaten, sleep and nappy change routines and activities the children have enjoyed. Children are able to select from the extensive range of toys and resources as the

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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 childminder provides and rotates further resources on a regular basis. Children also socialise and benefit from a range of activities outside the childminder's home, as they attend the toddler group, visit the park and a variety of places of interest. The childminder keeps the parents fully informed about outings and all their child's activities and progress. The childminder maintains a 'Features Diary' for each child in her care. This includes photographs of activities and events in the children's day and remains with the children when they leave the setting as a reminder of their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a warm and friendly relationship with the childminder who has experience of caring for children with additional needs. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are able to take an active part in the childminder's home as she adapts the environment to make resources easily accessible to everyone. Children are able to select toys and resources with confidence from the varied selection available to them. Whilst the childminder provides children with opportunities to celebrate special events, she needs to continue to develop opportunities to celebrate difference and culture. Children have opportunities to visit local places of interest and this helps to develop an awareness of the local area. Children learn good manners and gain an understanding of appropriate behaviour by the good role model set by the childminder. For example, children learn to share when they wish to use the xylophone and musical instruments. Children's confidence

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and self-esteem are developed, as the childminder praises the children when they accomplish a task and have done well. The childminder develops a good relationship with parents. They share written information about their child's routines, health and individual needs, before their child starts with the childminder. Policies and procedures are shared along with daily diaries of events and outings, feature diaries of special activities and daily discussion. These all help to keep the parents fully informed about their child's welfare, care and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that all areas both in and out of doors are planned to provide children with choice and freedom to participate in all of the activities available. The childminder keeps a good standard of records for the children in her care. These include permissions to take photographs and permission to seek emergency medical first aid or advice so that the children can be treated in an emergency. All policies, procedures and information are shared with parents. This keeps them

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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 fully informed of the childminder's practice and contributes to the continuity of the children's care. Children are able to take their art work home to share their achievements with their parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the 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 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 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): • continue to develop opportunities to celebrate difference and culture.

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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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