Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285684 Unique Reference Number 05 December 2006 Inspection date Judith Reed 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 three adult children in a house in Bursledon, Hampshire. The downstairs rooms are used for childminding, although an upstairs room may be used for sleeping a child. There is a rear garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for four children on a part time basis. The childminder walks to and from local schools to collect children and she attends a local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children who have English as an additional language.

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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 healthy as the childminder has a thorough understanding of hygiene issues. Children access the toilet independently and request assistance when necessary. The childminder ensures children wash their hands thoroughly and use individual paper towels for drying. Children are taught to use tissues and dispose of them appropriately. Children are protected from cross infection during nappy changes as the childminder wears gloves and ensures the changing mat is cleaned after use. The childminder has completed a first aid course and has a suitable first aid kit. Procedures for dealing with accidents and administering medication are in place and parents sign records as required. The childminder holds written consent for emergency medical treatment for each minded child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy and nutritious diet. The childminder provides healthy snacks of fruit as well as drinks of water, milk or juice during the morning. Sandwich lunches are provided and children frequently request their favourite tuna and sweet corn sandwich. The childminder also prepares breakfast of cereal or toast and evening meals of cottage pie or pasta with vegetables, for those children attending early or late in the day. The childminder is aware of children's dietary requirements and she keeps parents informed about food consumed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are taken out regularly. The childminder attends a local parent and toddler group on a regular basis. Children have opportunities for physical play in the garden. They enjoy riding bicycles around the spacious, grassed area. A range of outdoor toys is available.

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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 secure environment where they move around freely. The front door is kept locked and bolted. The rear garden is fully fenced and secure and the shed is also locked. Children are protected from the risk of accidental injury by use of safety equipment and careful observation. The childminder has purchased new stair gates to replace the poorly fitting older ones. Children are safe as cleaning equipment and sharp implements are stored in latched cupboards and drawers. Bedroom doors are kept secure when necessary. Children are kept safe during outings as the childminder ensures she carries emergency contact information at all times and identification to show she is a childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a wide choice of toys and activities. Children can help themselves from storage or request further activities through the childminder. Children are encouraged to vary their activities. The childminder ensures toys are suitable, safe and that children are well occupied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and understands her professional duty regarding child protection. She has completed training in this area and is also an experienced foster carer.

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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 play independently. They sit at low level chairs and tables using the play computer to make sounds. Children play imaginatively with toys and resources. They use a push chair and doll and they pretend to go for a walk. Children join in a colouring activity with the childminder. They have a warm and close relationship. They use wax crayons to colour squares on a sheet. The childminder talks about the different colours and names the colours to show children and help them to learn. Children pretend to write their names on their pictures. The childminder joins in the activity and laughs with the children when crayons are dropped on the floor. Children talk comfortably with the childminder and they discuss their ages, as well as the colouring activity. The children spot numbers on the sheet and tell the childminder that there is a number three. Children use a glue stick to stick small pieces of paper on coloured card sheet creating

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

an attractive Christmas card. The childminder remains with the children at all times, helping them when necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder knows them well. The childminder provides an environment where children can become familiar with African cultures as they see pictures, maps and calendars around the home. Children have limited access to resources from other cultures or showing people with disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder has a little experience in caring for children with disabilities or learning difficulties. She has a positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs and would work closely with parents and therapists to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and are polite. Children are praised and encouraged in their activities. The childminder says that children's pictures are "wonderful, and well done!" She encourages them to try to write their names on their pictures. The childminder is very gentle and patient with the children. The childminder talks calmly to children who display challenging behaviour. She helps them to understand right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good communication between the childminder and their parents. The childminder has built a sound business relationship with parents. They discuss food consumption and hygiene issues. The childminder endeavours to fit around parents various shift patterns and supports them well. The childminder makes parents aware of how to make a complaint when they commence and gives information about Ofsted. She has prepared a complaints record.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the suitable and organised environment. They settle well and are familiar with the home. The childminder ensures she remains within her ratio at

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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 all times and that her register is up to date and accurate. The childminder has an understanding of the requirements of her registration.

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Organisation

Children's care is enhanced due to the additional training undertaken by the childminder. She has taken a number of further training courses and keeps up to date at all times. The childminder does not leave children unaccompanied with anyone who is not vetted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised and keeps all documentation confidential. She ensures documentation and contact details are available as required.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course, extend knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, and to extend resources to show children positive images of culture and disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended first aid training as well as child protection training courses and children are safeguarded at all times. The childminder has a few resources which reflect diversity but this remains a recommendation.

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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): • continue to build on range of resources which reflect diversity

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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 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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