Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY240095 Unique Reference Number 01 December 2006 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children in a five bedroom house in Old Basing. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the master bedroom for rest. 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 under eight years at any one time. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder takes and collects children from the local primary school. She attends local toddler groups. The family have three 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 have their health and dietary needs met well because the childminder works with parents to discuss children's individual needs. A clearly displayed menu informs parents of the variety of food offered ensuring they have a good understanding of their child's diet whilst in the care of the childminder. Children enjoy snacks of fruit and regular drinks of weak juice to prevent dehydration throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

A routine to the day enables the children to have busy and restful times. Small children benefit from a daily nap which ensures they are fully rested and ready to enjoy activities planned for later in the day. Children develop their physical skills well as they push and pull toys, play running games and visit local children's activities. For example, three two year olds develop their own fun game of running as fast as they can down the hallway into the arms of the childminder, they take turns and wait for the childminder arms to be free to catch them. Fun opportunities to use puzzles and simple tools in the pasta and dough encourage their finer movements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good hygiene routines throughout the premises promote a clean environment for the children's care. The childminder follows sensible good hygiene measures when nappy changing to promote health and hygiene. She wears gloves, cleans the changing mat and disposes of nappies carefully. Soap and a clean towel each day are provided for the children's use. However, young children are not always reminded to clean their hands before food, this could lead to the spread of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures she has access to a well equipped first aid box at all times in order to deal with any accidents which may occur. Clear documentation supports the childminder's role in providing a caring healthy environment for the children in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The safe and secure premises provide an excellent spacious, fun and stimulating environment for the children's play and activities. The childminder is proactive and has risk assessed her premises well ensuring that any potential hazards are managed effectively. She supervises the children very well enabling them to develop their interests and skills safely. Equipment is all good quality and suitable for the ages and stage of development of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop their awareness of safety as they learn that they must wear their safety straps in the car and in the push chair. This is reinforced in the children's games as they carefully ensure soft toys are strapped safely in the toy buggies. The childminder encourages children to look for cars and talks to them about road safety as they cross roads enabling the children to increase their awareness of safe behaviour.

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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 Smoke detectors and a fire blanket promote safety in the premises and an evacuation plan is clearly displayed identifying all the available exits. The childminder regularly practises getting the children out of the premises quickly to ensure her evacuation plan would work. Children’s well-being is safeguarded by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection and the action she would take if she was concerned about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder gets to know the children well; she recognises their moods and interests and uses these in her provision of activities. Positive communication with parents enables her to develop her understanding of the individual children and their experiences. Children are happy, settled and feel at home in the childminder's home, where the enthusiastic childminder meets their individual needs effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a variety of activities which interest and entertain them. They have opportunities to make choices and enjoy planned activities. For example the children laugh as they carefully unfasten all the soft toys from their pegs before strapping them in the buggies. The childminder skilfully notices the children's interest start to wane and prepares a dough activity for them. The children show interest and happily join in. A sand tray filled with dry pasta and simple tools is a regular interesting feature which the children enjoy and use frequently. The childminder talks with them about what they are doing encouraging and increasing their interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy books and look at them independently turning the pages skilfully. They snuggle close to the childminder as she sits on the floor to read a story to them. Songs and nursery rhyme tapes encourage the children's language and understanding as they undertake the actions and learn the words.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have excellent opportunities to develop their awareness of the community around them. They visit activities in the community and meet with other childminders and their children. The childminder gets to know the children well by talking and listening to them and their families. This enables the childminder to treat all children with equal concern in an environment which respects their individuality. Resources reflect positive images of our diverse society. For example, small world play includes a figure in a wheelchair and children play with toys irrespective of gender. The childminder uses the library to gain knowledge and information about different cultures to enable her to understand and meet individual need. They childminder is proactive in ensuring that children with individual needs receive the appropriate care and assistance they need when in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A very good awareness of the behaviour associated with age and development enables the childminder to manage the children's behaviour well. Simple rules are displayed in words and pictures for the children and parents to see. They encourage the children to share and be

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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 respectful of others and resources. The childminder builds the children's self esteem as she notices children’s efforts and praises and encourages them frequently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent informative welcome folder for parents informs them of her childminding practice and a clearly visible notice board displays all relevant information relating to her registration. The childminder adapts her service to meet individual needs when possible providing a flexible and caring service. The childminder is proactive in seeking the opinions of parents regarding the service she offers. Parents comment very positively about the attentive, caring and helpful service the childminder provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very well organised, she efficiently maintains all the required documentation for her role and provides a good level of care for the children. The childminder is enthusiastic about her role; she researches on the internet and uses the library and appropriate organisations to build her knowledge and understanding of young children. She uses her skills, space and resources effectively to meet requirements and ensure the children benefit from a healthy, safe and stimulating environment.

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Organisation

The childminder understands and maintains appropriate records, policies and procedures, required for the efficient and safe management of her business and to promote the welfare of children. 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 improvements were required to the medication records and the risk assessment of the play areas. The childminder has a medicines record and seeks written parental permission before administering any medication for the safety and well-being of the children. The main play areas are safe and good consideration for all aspects of children's safety is evident in the childminder's work.

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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. 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): • encourage young children to develop good hygiene routines

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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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