Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281466 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2006 Inspection date Amanda Shedden 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children in Liphook Hampshire. Both of the children are in full time education. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, upstairs can be used if a child needs a rest 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding five children on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler and childminding groups. The family have three 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 warm clean home where they learn about personal hygiene. Daily routines are in place and children readily wash their hands at appropriate times during the day, they use disposable towels ensuring no cross infection can take place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily outdoor activities which contribute to their good health. Children regularly go for walks, visit local parks and use the well resourced garden. For instance they are able to freely access swings, climbing frames and sit and ride toys, helping to develop their co-ordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents are informed when their child becomes unwell or has an accident, including any treatment given. All necessary documentation and written permission from parents are in place to safeguard the children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks which are freshly prepared each day. The childminder ensures that the children are offered a balanced diet including fruit and vegetables. Children's individual needs are met regarding any allergies as well as their likes and dislikes to certain foods they may have. Children are offered drinks throughout the day to prevent them from becoming dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a safe and secure environment where risks are identified and minimised. Children are able to freely access all areas of downstairs to play in. The resources are easily available and many are low enough for the children to self select. They are confident to ask if they want something else and the childminder responds positively to their requests, helping them choose stage appropriate toys, encouraging children's independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are made aware of the house rules and they regularly practise what they should do in an emergency, ensuring they would know how to stay safe in a real emergency. They practise and are aware of how to cross the road safely, young children know that you look, listen and hold hands to cross the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All children are appropriately restrained when travelling by car to ensure their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminders clear understanding and knowledge of procedures to follow if she has concerns over a child.

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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 enjoy a warm and caring relationship with the childminder who has a good understanding of their individual needs. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular meetings with other childminders. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toy, books and activities, this allows children to feel ownership over the planning and enjoy their chosen activity. For instance one child was playing on the computer, one was playing with the kitchen and the other was having a story read to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder differentiates activities and resources effectively, taking each child's abilities into account so that they can achieve. The children spend their time playing with and alongside each other, they co-operate with each other taking turns with the equipment and share the time of the childminder. For example when painting they passed the different colours to each other and at times waited until another child had finished with it. They enjoy a range of activities which encourage their all round development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is good because they know what is expected of them, the childminder praises and encourages each child, focusing on the positives to boost their confidence and self-esteem effectively. Children respond well to the simple and consistent house rules, they share toys and resources fairly, learning to show consideration to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are treated as individuals, their personal routines are identified and activities are adapted to ensure that all children can reach their full potential. Children learn about the wider world through activities and through discussions when out walking, for instance where the river comes from or goes to.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships are built with the parents, they receive individual feedback regarding their child's time with the childminder on a daily basis. Time is taken to discuss the changing needs of the children and the daily routines reflect the wishes of the parents ensuring children receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The family home is set up for the arrival of children, they are able to move freely around the home selecting their chosen activity independently, which enables them to feel at ease within the well organised environment.

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Organisation

The children are kept safe from other adults by good supervision from the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder is attending relevant courses which enables her to increase her skills and knowledgably support the children. However, her knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework is limited.

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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 The childminder has clear policies she has designed to support the efficient running of, and keeping parents informed of her service and the care of children. All relevant documentation is in place and understood by the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder's good understanding of the requirements of her registration helps ensure that the children are kept safe and that overall she 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 improve the children's hand washing practices. Children now eagerly wash their hands, encouraged by children's fun soap and steps enabling them to easily reach the sink.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also to improve the contents of her first aid box, this has been done, the contents checked regularly and it is placed so it can be easily reached ensuring that an injured child will be attended to quickly.

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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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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): • increase knowledge of the Birth to three framework

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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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