Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334847 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2006 Inspection date Catherine Hill 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 satisfactory. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and year old child in a house in Church Crookham, Fleet. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five years for three days a week. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children remain healthy as they play within a clean home setting. They are protected from illness and infection by the childminder who has a sickness policy to support her practice. Appropriate procedures are in place for the disposal of nappies and all medication administered

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 to children is recorded with all necessary detail. Children have good opportunities to develop healthy bodies. They are taken out daily in the fresh air and move freely and confidently around the childminding areas. They stand, by choice, when doing puzzles and climb onto soft chairs to relax and share books with the childminder. Children's dietary needs are met in consultation with parents. They enjoy healthy snacks, such as raisins, but are not encouraged to wash their hands before eating. The childminder provides children with a variety of nutritious meals to meet their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are at ease in the welcoming home environment. They are familiar with daily routines, such as snack time and story time, and eagerly sit to eat and share books. A good range of age appropriate resources are set out and children develop an independence as they freely select toys to play with. Children play safely as they are well supervised and the childminder has identified and minimized most hazards. However, low level glass has yet to be made safe and cables in the dining area made inaccessible to children. The fire blanket has not been fitted in the kitchen and outside some fencing in the garden is broken and therefore presents as a potential exit point for children. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder understands her role with regard to child protection and holds relevant literature on file for reference.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy within the childminder's care and show an interest in activities initiated by her. They gather round her as she teaches them letter sounds and have fun imitating the animal sounds she makes when reinforcing word/picture links. The childminder makes excellent use of tone of voice to encourage children to learn through play. Children laugh and smile as they dance and sing to music tapes. They select interactive toys to play with and engross themselves playing with inset puzzles. They intently observe the childminder as she demonstrates how to make friction cars move and then copy her actions. They develop an awareness of numbers as the childminder counts to them as they move toy cars. The childminder has a good understanding of how to support children's learning and sensitively steps back, when appropriate, to allow them independence in play. For example, they revel in the freedom to explore different

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

musical instruments and the sounds they make.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and have excellent relationships with the childminder. They readily approach her for support and cuddles showing a trusting bond has been established. They develop in self-esteem as the childminder claps and praises their efforts. The childminder is kind and attentive to children and alert to children's individual needs. She ensures children are kept clean, comfortable and happy. Children play happily together and behave well as they are well occupied and supported and the childminder effectively uses distraction to ensure no behavioural issues develop. They develop an understanding of good manners as 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 acts as a positive role model for politeness. The childminder liaises closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are catered for. Children benefit from the daily verbal exchange between their main carers. The childminder talks to parents about her practice although she has not yet shared the amendments to the National Standards relating to the procedures for dealing with parental concerns.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is enthusiastic and organises her practice to provide children with a happy, family environment for learning and play. Children relax within her care and have opportunities to develop in all skill areas. The childminder maintains all necessary documentation to support her practice and this is securely filed. Her certificate of registration, however, is not clearly displayed during childminding hours. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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. 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 satisfactory. 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): • improve safety by: installing the fire blanket in the kitchen, making low level glass safe, making electric cables in the dining area inaccessible to children and by ensuring the outside area is secure so children are unable to leave the garden unsupervised • devise and implement a procedure for dealing with any concerns raised by parents and include within the procedure Ofsted's contact details • ensure the certificate of registration is clearly displayed during the hours childcare is provided.

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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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