Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY245259 Unique Reference Number 22 March 2007 Inspection date Carole Gronow 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 2003. She lives in Totton, near Southampton with her partner. Only the downstairs of property is used for childminding where there is a dedicated playroom and there is a fully enclosed 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 under eight years, or twelve children when working with either one or two assistants. She is currently working with an assistant and minds ten children aged under eight, seven of whom attend on a part time basis. Three of the children are in full-time education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and preschools. She takes children to the local park. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are cared for in an environment where the childminder takes steps to safeguard their good health. The premises are clean and children are reminded to wash their hands after using the bathroom, however there is a risk from cross-infection because they all share the same towel. The childminder holds all the necessary signed consents to be able to care for children appropriately if they become ill whilst they are in her care. Children have some opportunities to have fresh air and physical exercise when they visit the local parks. In good weather, children play outside in the secure garden where they can play on wheeled toys. They can also, under supervision, play on the trampoline which is enclosed by a safety net.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is aware of the importance of encouraging children to eat healthy foods. She offers children fresh fruit daily and ensures that she provides children who eat at her home with meals which regularly include fresh vegetables. Children’s individual dietary needs are respected as the childminder ensures that she finds out about anything required in her discussion with parents. Children have continuous access to drinks, which are mainly of diluted squash. They all have their own beakers which are kept filled up so that they can drink whenever they need to quench their thirst.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in the downstairs of the property where they have access to the lounge as well as a dedicated playroom which is brightly decorated and has a selection of suitable toys and equipment which children can help themselves to. There is a child-size table and chairs and the walls are decorated with work the children have done and appropriate pictures and posters, such as a number frieze. Most areas that the children use are safe for them to do so, however children who independently visit the bathroom can easily access potentially hazardous substances, such as hair products and toiletries which are at child height. Children's safety is further compromised because they do not practise the emergency evacuation procedure which means that they do not know how to respond in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are secure at the childminder’s because doors are kept locked. Keys are kept accessible and a chain is used on the front door which only the childminder or her assistant answers. The childminder has a sufficient understanding of child protection procedures to be able to act in children's best interest in areas of concern. She is aware that signs of abuse can cover a wide range and knows where to refer for advice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very well settled at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They are pleased to see the other children and they introduce themselves to visitors and ask their names without being prompted. Children play together well, for example, they enjoy building a wooden train track and seeing which way round the trains will go and they share crayons at the table when they are drawing. Children's self-esteem is promoted as the childminder and her assistant undertake activities to support this. For instance, there is a board on display where there are coloured drawings of all the children and adults at the setting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and they have, as a group, made positive comment about everyone, such as 'our friend', 'makes us laugh' and 'likes cuddles'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of different activities including many which contribute to their creative development, such as dancing, listening and moving to music, playing instruments, painting and baking. Most of the play provision is stored in the play room and when children can go in there they confidently make choices about what to play with. They help themselves from the low-level storage that is provided. However, when a child needs a sleep they are put in the playroom and the other children are kept out of there. Then, children only have a wooden train track and a few small dinosaurs to play with. Children are confident in their use of the computer and can access a selection of age appropriate games and activities on there. They enjoy doing activities with adults such as an 'All about me' booklet printed off the Internet which they colour and talk about and enjoy sitting together to listen to stories and look at books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest such as the farm and the beach, where they collect shells, as well as routine outings to the shops and local parks. However, they do not have access to either activities or resources which promote a positive view of the wider world and would increase their awareness of diversity. Children are well behaved, they learn to understand behaviour boundaries and play together harmoniously. They have been involved in establishing house rules with the childminder and are aware of what they are. They are on display in the playroom and are referred to by both adults and other children when the children need reminding. Children show care and concern for each other, telling adults when others are upset or have been hurt. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do, helping themselves to drinks and independently visiting the toilet. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

benefit from the childminder ensuring that parents feel very welcome in her home and because of the daily discussions they have about the children's care. The childminder is happy to work with parents in order to provide any specific requirements that are needed for individual children so that she can provided the most appropriate care. The childminder is very flexible with the times that she is prepared to care for children. She takes them to and from schools and preschools and is willing to care for children at short notice if she has the availability. This supports the needs of working parents with irregular working patterns and also ensures that their child receives continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder holds all the required information about the children in her care and all documentation is readily accessible but also stored securely. The childminder keeps records of the children’s attendance with her but she does not regularly update the information she holds on individual children. The childminder has vetted assistants who work with her in order to ensure that they are suitable to be left with children. She clearly records which children are with which adult when the childminder and her assistant are not on the premises together. She has obtained signed parental agreements for children to be left in the sole charge of an assistant, however they are not informed about the times when this may occur. The childminder displays her registration and first aid certificates, her insurance and the Ofsted poster for parents to refer to.

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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 meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and to ensure that the maximum number of children that can be cared for is adhered to at all times. She was also asked to assess the risks to children in all areas and take steps to minimise potential hazards for example, security of the front door and access to the garage, upstairs and low level glass. She now holds the necessary signed parental consents to be able to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. She also keeps records which show that she does not care for more children than the maximum number she is registered to care for. She records in a separate diary when she goes out which children are in her care and which children are in the care of her assistant. The childminder has assessed the risks to children in all areas of her property and only allows them to access areas

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Improvements since the last inspection

that she is sure are safe. She has taken steps to minimise potential hazards with the exception of toiletries that are in the bathroom.

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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. 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 children's safety by practising the emergency evacuation procedure with them and by ensuring that they cannot access any potentially hazardous substances • consider how children can have continuous access to the playroom • provide children with opportunities to learn about the wider world which will increase their awareness of diversity • keep records of all the times that are agreed and confirmed in writing by parents, that an assistant is left in sole charge of the children. Regularly update the information held on individual children.

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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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