Lambs House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111491 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2006 Inspection date Jacqueline Munden 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 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 1999. She lives in with her husband and their three children in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All of the ground floor is 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 four children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives within walking distance to local shops schools and parks. The family have a cat and hamsters.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. Hygiene routines and practices promote children's good health and generally children are protected against cross infection. For example, when changing nappies the childminder cleans the changing mat between uses with anti bacterial wipes, washes her hands and disposes of nappies appropriately. She provides individual bedding and cots and ensures young children's hands are clean before eating and after touching the fish tank. However, individual towels are not provided for children washing their hands in the basin. Children's health records are maintained well regarding accidents and the administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes a healthy lifestyle by encouraging regular physical exercise and fresh air. Young children benefit from the wide range of play equipment that promotes physical development in the home including a slide and sit and ride toys. They laugh as they stretch and jump to catch the bubbles the childminder blows for them. Outside the home they visit parks and soft play sessions at the sports centre. Older children experience regular outings in the holidays where they develop physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the healthy and nutritious snacks and meals offered by the childminder. Drinks are always available and she ensures children’s individual needs are met by obtaining information of children’s dietary requirements.

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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 clean, safe and secure environment. The ample space is used effectively allowing children to play and move around safely. They can access the toilet independently. Children make choices from the wide range of play materials that is made available to them. A full range of equipment ensures they are cared for appropriately. All of which is clean, safe and well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and pays high attention to ensuring risks and hazards are minimised. For example, the stairs are inaccessible and all low level glass is safe. She deals with immediate risks that occur such as a child playing with a door. She does this by using a door wedge to prevent it being moved. Fire safety precautions are in place. For example, a fire blanket is available in the kitchen, smoke detectors are fitted in the house and there is an emergency evacuation plan in place. However, this is not practiced with children so the childminder is unable to clarify whether she could effectively evacuate all children in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has the required documents and procedures in place to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded such as consent to take photographs. She has a reasonable knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, has written her own child protection policy and recognises her role and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm.

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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 good. Children settle very well at the childminders' home. They are familiar with the daily routine which ensures their immediate needs regarding meals and sleep times is maintained. They relate well to the childminder who offers a nurturing environment. Children enjoy the interesting range of activities and experiences offered to them in and outside the home. They play enthusiastically with the well organised range of play equipment provided. The childminder develops their language and introduces shapes. For example she draws shapes on paper and says "circles". They visit local toddler groups and soft play sessions where they develop social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework and intends to familiarise herself with it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy playing themed picture Bingo and baking bread and cakes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children flourish due to the childminder's high level of care she shows each of them. Children are very happy and content as their needs are met at all times. Children reach to the childminder for comfort and ask for a "cuddle".

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes positive images of all people in society. Children learn about diversity through books and the use of resources such as picture Bingo that depicts people with disabilities. The childminder has a positive approach to supporting children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to behave well and control their emotions due to the childminder's very calm and consistent approach to behaviour management that is appropriate to the child's level of development. For example, she deals with a young child taking a toy from another by offering another toy, and when he returns the snatched toy he is given the new toy and praised. Children learn good manners from a young age as the childminder encourages them to say please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. They are provided with a full range of policies and procedures that supports the childminder's good practice. The childminder informs parents of her pending inspection and invites their comments for the process. Parents are happy with the care and attention and feel they can discuss issues with the childminder freely. Effective communication takes place between the childminder and parents and they work together to meet the children's individual needs. This includes written records of children's meals and rest times on daily sheets and regular discussions upon collection. Long term records of the children's time spent with the childminder are recorded in diaries. Photographs and anecdotal accounts of children's achievements and activities they have enjoyed are maintained. These are shared periodically with parents and then retained by them as a permanent record.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. All aspects of the childminder's care are well organised. She has arranged to update her training in first aid and has a sound knowledge and understanding of current regulation and the National Standards. All of the required documentation, and a comprehensive range of her own written policies which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place and stored confidentially.

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Organisation

The childminder plans how she will spend her time with children well, ensuring their needs are met. She arranges her home to ensure children are safe to play and experience quiet times. 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, three recommendations were made. The childminder was asked to improve her understanding of the National Standards for childminding and all relevant guidance, undertake regular risk assessments and further improve the safety of the premises and to formulate and improve documentation such as parental agreements for seeking emergency medical treatment and advice and for transporting children; the daily register; and key policies including complaints.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made great improvements in all three areas which as a result means children's health, safety and welfare is improved. She has a sound knowledge and understanding of the National Standards for Childminding and the guidance to the National Standards. All documentation required by regulation is now in place and she has developed a wide range of policies and procedures linked to the National Standards.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has moved house since the recommendation was made to improve safety in the home. At this premises, the childminder has assessed the risks and made all areas safe and secure.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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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

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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): • conduct and record the emergency evacuation procedure • develop hand washing procedures by providing individual towels.

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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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