Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265173 Unique Reference Number 20 September 2006 Inspection date Helen Mary Ball 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 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 2003. She lives with her partner and two children aged one year and five years, in a house in the Fareham area of Hampshire. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is primarily 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 is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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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 becoming ill because the childminder recognises and reduces possible risks. For example, she takes steps to prevent the spread of infection by providing individual flannels, and wears disposable gloves for nappy changing. Children are helped to understand that washing their hands before handling food helps to keep them healthy. They are becoming independent in self-care routines and use the cloakroom independently. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor physical play, which helps them to develop confidence and to move with control. For example, the childminder takes children to local parks and beaches, and they walk to local schools. Children's health and welfare is underpinned by the maintenance of documentation such as accident and medication records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished because the childminder provides a varied range of fruits for their snacks. Children learn about healthy eating and can explain why fast foods are not good for them. Mealtimes are relaxed social occasions when children sit at the table to enjoy food and each other’s company.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle quickly as the childminder’s friendly approach and child-friendly environment enable children to feel secure. For example, their artwork is displayed on the walls and they benefit from a range of educational posters. Children play with a wide range of accessible toys that they enjoy. The childminder extends her toy provision by borrowing resources from the toy library, such as puzzles which reflect positive images of society.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder recognises and minimises risks for children in the home. Children take part in regular fire drills and learn how to keep themselves safe on outings. For example, they learn about road safety and stranger danger. The children's safety is further promoted because the childminder maintains appropriate procedures and documents. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has public liability insurance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because the childminder has effective systems to ensure they are only collected by designated persons, and she has a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. However, the childminder does not have a copy of the latest child protection guidance which means that she is not fully aware of the current processes to follow in the event of a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. A warm and caring relationship exists between the childminder and children, helping them to feel relaxed and secure in her care. She is particularly skilled in talking to children, responding well to them and listening to their ideas.

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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 Children relate well to each other and this helps children to enjoy themselves. The childminder allows children to initiate their own play and she supervises them from a distance, which ensures their safety without compromising their independence. For example, the children play together in the garden; they use diggers and tractors to move dirt around a small border while the childminder watches through a window.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of activities outside the home, which supports their knowledge of the wider world. For example, they enjoy travelling with the childminder on trains, buses and boats.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are kind, considerate and thoughtful to each other. They share and take turns. The childminder is calm and polite to the children, acting as a good role model and children follow her example. Children are valued and the childminder helps children to feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement, while managing behaviour very well; this helps build children’s self-esteem. For example, the childminder frequently tells children that she is proud of them for playing nicely together. She uses a sticker chart to reinforce their good behaviour and children work towards rewards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder goes to a great deal of effort to ensure that the individual needs of all children in her care are met. She treats each child with equal concern and promotes collaborative play, ensuring that younger children are able to join in all games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has an open approach, is willing to make reasonable adjustments and remove potential barriers to them attending her setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s well-being is significantly supported by the effective partnership with parents. The childminder has cared for children from the same family for a number of years, which provides consistency of care for children and reassurance for parents. The childminder is flexible and tries to accommodate parent's working patterns. This means that parents can rely on suitable care for their children in keeping with their own needs. She maintains a comprehensive portfolio of policies and procedures which keep parents fully informed about her provision. This includes a complaints policy and complaints record; these mean that concerns can be addressed appropriately and parents are informed about any actions taken by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is committed to updating her knowledge of a range of childcare issues. She organises her time to allow children to follow individual routines and makes appropriate use of space so children can move freely.

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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 Children's well-being is underpinned by the maintenance of appropriate documentation and relevant consent forms. The childminder uses her policies and procedures to promote children's health and welfare.

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Organisation

Overall, 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 asked to increase her range of books and toys to reflect diversity. The childminder has now increased her range of resources and also uses the toy library to extend the provision of toys which reflect diversity. This means that children have a greater understanding of people from the wider world.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to obtain consent for emergency medical advice or treatment. This has now been obtained and this means that the childminder can seek appropriate support in the event of a child having an accident or becoming ill.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been two complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider to take action to meet the National Standards. The complaints related to National Standard 1: Suitable Person, National Standard 6: Safety, National Standard 12: Partnership with Parents, National Standard 14: Documentation. Concerns were raised that the childminder was caring for more children than her registration allows, that she left minded children unsupervised in a car, and that the childminder did not have contracts and written agreements with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit, issued a warning letter and raised actions requiring the childminder to demonstrate how the childminding arrangements are to be organised so that conditions of registration are maintained at all times, that she implements a procedure for keeping children safe in the car and that the childminder informs Ofsted of all relevant changes. During this visit, concerns were raised regarding the safety of children, and an action raised against National Standard 6: Safety, requiring the childminder to ensure that the premises are secure and children are unable to leave them unsupervised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder responded to the actions and included a weekly routine sheet which showed there were still occasions when the childminder was overminding for a short period. Ofsted sent the childminder a further warning letter. This has been discussed with the childminder and she has confirmed that she understands the conditions of her registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A further concern was received by Ofsted against National Standard 2 (Organisation) that the childminder was caring for more children than her registration allows.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted conducted an unannounced visit. The childminder was found not to be overminding but a review of her registers showed that they were not accurately maintained. The inspector also found that the childminder did not maintain a complaints record. Ofsted subsequently wrote to the childminder and raised actions relating to National Standard 2: Organisation and National Standard 12: Partnership with Parents, requiring that the register is accurately

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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 completed at all times and that the childminder maintains a record of complaints which is shared with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received a suitable response to the actions, and view of this no further action was taken. The registered person remains suitable for registration.

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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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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): • obtain a copy of the current guidance on child protection "What To Do If You Are Worried A Child is Being Abused - Summary" • continue to update knowledge and training in a range of childcare issues.

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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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