Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY299342 Unique Reference Number 31 August 2005 Inspection date Nicola Robinson 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 2005. She lives with her husband and their two children aged four years and 12 months. They live in a mid-terraced townhouse in Ash Vale near Aldershot. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor and first floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler group. She holds a valid first aid qualification. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged four years, who attends on a part-time 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 good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They benefit from good opportunities to be outside in the fresh air through walks, picnics in the park and regular visits to local parks and other amenities such as Frensham Pond. This enables the children to develop a positive attitude towards exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Garden activities such as riding on wheeled toys and bouncing on the mini trampoline improves children's physical skills and helps them to develop control of their bodies. There is ample space for babies to develop their crawling skills and they experience physical activities such as baby walkers and ball ponds to encourage vigorous play. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Nutritious food provided by the childminder such as fresh fruit and freshly cooked, hot dinners promotes good health. Parents' wishes are acknowledged and adhered to, and regular feedback is given about the children's diet. Older children are beginning to develop an understanding of a healthy diet by being included in the preparation of snacks and vegetables for dinner and by being able to help themselves to drinks throughout the day. Babies are developing increasing independence in feeding themselves as the childminder encourages them to hold their own bottles and provides finger foods. Good social interaction is fostered as the children sit at the table and eat together.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted by suitable procedures when they are unwell and daily routines to ensure the premises and resources are clean and well maintained. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They know why it is important to wash their hands, and do so after visiting the toilet. However, they do not consistently wash their hands before all meals in order to fully prevent cross contamination.

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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 home where potential risks are identified and minimised so that they remain safe and feel confident. The layout of the home is welcoming to children and well designed, which enables them to develop their independence as they wander freely between the dedicated playroom and the garden outside. Good security precautions also contribute to child safety, as the front door remains locked at all times and children are only released to authorised known carers. Children are learning about the importance of staying safe as the childminder discusses road safety with them and ensures fire evacuation procedures are practised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a broad range of safe and good quality toys and resources that are age and stage appropriate for the children currently attending. Older children are able to independently access toys from storage boxes in the playroom and from upstairs bedrooms, younger children have opportunities to make choices of objects to investigate which are rotated on a regular basis. The childminder regularly checks the toys to ensure they are clean and in a good condition.

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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 Children are well protected as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has the relevant insurance cover, written safety policies and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and secure in their relationship with the childminder. The childminder finds out about children's needs and interests before they attend. This helps them to settle well and benefit from care that is consistent with their home routines. The children receive lots of cuddles and meaningful praise, which increases their sense of belonging and encourages them to be increasingly independent.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to benefit from regular outings to the park and other amenities such as the library, which promotes their learning and stimulates their interest in the wider world. They have opportunities to mix with other children both in the home and through toddler groups and outings, which develops their ability to relate to a wider group of adults and peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a range of exciting opportunities such as themed activities, art and craft, outdoor play and games. However, planned activities are not currently displayed for parents to enable them to become further involved in the children's learning. Toys and resources are interesting and suitable to the children's age and stage of development. Many resources are independently accessible to older children encouraging free choice of play and independence. Babies spend their time purposefully. They are becoming competent learners as the childminder gives them opportunities to make choices of objects to investigate and they explore these with interest. They are developing communication skills as the childminder talks to them as they play and responds to their gestures and sounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are being met as the childminder follows their daily routines and helps them to prepare for new situations in their lives such as going to school. Relationships with parents are friendly and open, their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to and they are kept well informed about their children's care and development through daily diaries. The childminder has developed written policies and procedures for parents to inform them of the main aspects of her business. However, the childminder has not yet developed a written complaints procedure for parents to view.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has realistic expectations and acts as a good role model which encourages children to behave well. They begin to understand right and wrong though consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour. Children's understanding of right and wrong increases as they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, for example, helping to tidy their toys away and sharing. Children's

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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 achievements are recognised and praised which builds their confidence and self-esteem. Each child has their own scrapbook in which they can store their artwork, photographs and evidence of other activities, which further develops their sense of pride and belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of equal opportunities and special needs issues. Children are encouraged to discuss and accept differences and learn about cultures other than their own through planned activities, for example celebrating festivals such as Eid, Chinese New Year and Thanksgiving. However, toys and resources that reflect diversity are limited.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and ease through the well organised environment. The areas used for play are safe and welcoming, most resources are stored to develop independence and there is ample space to allow children to play freely. Good adult interaction enables the children to be confident and self-assured and they benefit from the sharing of information between the childminder and parents. The day is organised to give children the opportunity to experience a range of both indoor and outdoor activities, and they have regular opportunities to relax as well as be active within the daily routine. The childminder organises time sufficiently well to meet the needs of the children she is caring for.

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Organisation

Required adult to child ratios are maintained at all times, ensuring the children are well supported. The policies and procedures that have been put into practice are used effectively and shared with parents to inform them about the service being offered. The childminder has all the required records and consents in place which enables her to meet the children's needs. All documentation is stored appropriately and well maintained in order to safeguard the children's welfare and care. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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): • further improve hygiene practices and procedures with regard to hand washing at snack time to ensure children's good health is promoted • continue to develop existing practice by displaying planned activities for parents to view, to enable them to become further involved in the children's learning • further develop the range of toys and resources that reflect diversity to enable children to gain a fuller awareness of the wider world • further improve information for parents by making available a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

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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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