Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333885 Unique Reference Number 19 October 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and their one child aged over eight years. The family live in a house in the Netley area of Southampton and most areas of the property are registered for childminding, however, this usually occurs on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden which is available for outside play. The childminder walks to the local shops, school and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time and is currently caring for four children on a part time basis. The family have a pet dog. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 satisfactory. Children develop an understanding of a healthy lifestyle as they go out for daily walks with the childminder and pet dog. They walk to and from local schools and have outings to places of interest, such as parks and play areas. Children experience outdoor play in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are healthy as the childminder employs high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. She carefully wipes surfaces with anti bacterial spray. She has a sick child policy in place and children who become unwell are collected by their parents. Children wash their hands before meals and after being in the garden or being near the dog. Children have their own flannels and towels on their own pegs in the bathroom. The childminder protects children by employing good hygiene procedures when changing nappies. Accident and medication records are available as required. The childminder has been unable to access a first aid training course at the current time. She has not obtained written permission for emergency medical treatment for each minded child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children bring lunch boxes and drinks to the childminder's home. She ensures all foods and drinks are stored appropriately. The childminder provides a healthy snack for children during the morning and ensures drinks are available at all times.

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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 because the childminder is vigilant and very aware of safety issues. The front door is kept locked and has an additional alarm should it be opened at any time. The childminder ensures children's safety when they are in the well fenced and secure garden. All gates are bolted and the sheds are securely locked. Children play freely on the ground floor of the home. They do not go upstairs unaccompanied. Children use one bedroom for sleeping overnight and have use of the bathroom as required. The childminder has fitted a number of stair gates throughout the property to ensure children can play freely yet remain safe at all times. A well planned and designed screen has been made to fit around the low level television and video equipment. This not only protects the electrical equipment but also acts as a good support when children are learning to walk, as it is the correct height

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to support them. The childminder has planned emergency evacuation from the premises and all necessary fire safety equipment is in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to access toys and resources freely from the play room, developing their independence. The childminder is very aware of safety of toys and equipment. She ensures toys are not broken and that they are cleaned regularly as necessary. She also takes care that toys are safe and suitable for the ages of children present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has an understanding of child protection procedures. She is aware of her professional duty regarding child protection.

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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 frequent opportunities for free play. They help themselves to toys from the play room, or use the toys set out for them in the living room. Children empty a number of toys onto the floor. Children share toys well and show younger children how to use them. For example, older children play with the younger children and hold the play phone against their ear. Children take turns making noises with one another and sorting toys. They play well together. Children enjoy musical toys and listen carefully to the tunes which are played. They empty shapes from a shape sorter onto the floor and try to feed the shapes back into the correct holes, turning the shape sorter around to search for the shape. The childminder praises children's efforts. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder. They join in the actions from rhymes depicted in the book, for example, eagerly clapping hands during "If you are happy and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

you know it". Children fetch a selection of books from the play room and sit close to the childminder to look at the books together. Children are aware of the routine of sharing books for a few minutes before being collected. The childminder reads stories to the older child. She encourages children to view the pictures and talk about what can be seen. Children push buttons in the book to make noises. In the second book the childminder and children look at the pictures together and talk about what they can see.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are taken out daily for walks to local shops, the bank and the local park. Children have opportunities to go on the slide and kick a ball around. They also go the country park and feed the ducks. The childminder plans themes and arranges activities around the theme, such as, collecting fallen leaves and using them to make leaf print pictures. The current theme is the farm yard and the childminder has obtained books from the library to link with this theme. She has helped children to learn about animals and is planning an outing to the local farm park during the school holidays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities through her extended family and through working in a local school. The childminder has a positive attitude towards 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 are treated as individuals and the childminder knows them well. They begin to develop an understanding of diversity through the range of games, puzzles and books available. Children use a variety of toys which reflect diversity, such as dolls and cooking implements. The childminder uses both the library and toy library to extend the range of toys available for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They share toys and tidy up when asked. The childminder is kind and fair. She has created a poster showing a few "Golden Rules" which is displayed for children to see and discuss. If children display challenging behaviour they are brought to the poster to remind them of the rules and discuss their behaviour. The childminder discusses behaviour management issues with parents. A behaviour management policy is in place and the childminder

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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 gives frequent praise and encouragement. Children's self-esteem is valued and rewards of stickers are given to reinforce good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good communication between the childminder and their parents. The childminder builds a good business relationship with parents and keeps them informed about their children through daily feedback sheets. She also builds a record of children's development to share with parents. Parents appreciate the records kept by the childminder and state that they are very happy with the current childminding service. The childminder supports families regarding changes in their lives, such as children starting school and pre-school. She holds necessary documentation about the children and keeps parents informed about how to make complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable and at ease in the well organised, suitable environment. They are settled and familiar with the home and routines. The childminder ensures she remains within her ratio at all times and that her register is up to date and accurate, although times of arrival and departure are not always clear.

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Organisation

Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who is trained and experienced. The childminder is planning to complete further training to enhance her childminding service. The childminder does not leave children with anyone who is not vetted. She has a visitors' book and notes all visitors when children are present on the premises. 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 keeps most necessary forms and information to hand and ensures she holds emergency contact information about minded children at all times when she is out and about.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • obtain written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment for each minded child • complete a suitable paediatric first aid training course • ensure register is completed accurately showing details of times of children's arrival and departure

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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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