Childminder in Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY290078 Inspection date 31 October 2005 Inspector Sue Williams

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and their three children, two of whom are school-aged and the other one is pre-school aged. They live in a house in the Bitterne area of Southampton.All areas of the property are used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. There are currently six children on roll. The family has two guinea pigs and two cats.

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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. The children are protected from illness because the childminder ensures that they understand the importance of maintaining cleanliness and personal hygiene. When helping the children to wash their hands, for example, she talks to them about what she is doing and why it is necessary. The older children manage their own personal hygiene and have separate towels to limit cross-infection. Nappies are disposed of hygienically. Handwritten procedures for the administration of medication are now in place. The childminder wishes to make this document more professional by using a computer to print it. Each child has a separate medication form, to maintain confidentiality. Written consent is in place for emergency treatment. The children have a balanced diet. The childminder either accepts packed lunches or provides meals on request by parents. The children learn about healthy eating

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Helping children to be healthy

through the snacks offered to them, which include crackers, cheese, a banana and an apple. Water is always available. The childminder talks to the parents about the children's food intake. She also monitors how the children manage new food. Lunch is taken in a family style, usually as an indoor picnic on the playroom floor. It is a happy social time, during which good manners are encouraged through example. Weaning programmes are supported and babies have their made-up bottles or water to drink.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children play in a safe, clean and tidy home. They use the main playroom, which leads to the secure rear garden, and they have access to the lounge for quiet play. Occasionally, children may sleep in a designated first floor bedroom. The children are escorted to the toilet, which is also on the first floor, according to ability. Rooms are light and warm, and the furniture is arranged in a manner that allows children maximum playing space. The children have all the facilities they need and the resources they use are safe, clean and of good quality. Toilet facilities include potties, a child seat and, if necessary, a step. There is a high chair and tables and chairs with booster seats and safety restraints. Car seats and booster seats are used when taking the children on outings. The children either sleep in a travel cot or in the upstairs bed. They may also relax on comfortable sofas. Most babies prefer to sleep in their buggies. Sleeping children are

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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 checked every 15 minutes, if they are not within vision. Sleeping routines are flexible and discussed with parents, particularly on the rare occasions when children stay overnight. The children, therefore, are secure and well-supervised. Furthermore, bedtime and breakfast routines are clearly defined and adhered to. The childminder takes strategic measures to minimise potential accidents within the setting and on outings. She has devised a way of using gates, for example, to allow the older children into the garden but keep the toddlers inside the playroom. This allows older children to engage in more robust play until such time as they all play outside under the supervision of the childminder. All fire safety measures are in place and both exits are clear for emergency

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

evacuation. Parents ring or knock to gain entry, and children are never released to unauthorised persons. The children are safe on outings. They learn the safety rules imposed by the childminder. They know that they may have to wear reins, hold hands, or the pushchair handle, and must not run. The younger children learn by listening to the older children and by copying the road safety procedures, which are regularly practised. The children are protected from abuse because the childminder has a good working knowledge of its possible signs. She understands her duty, as a professional child carer, to safeguard the children and to use the correct procedures. She takes any action necessary to promote and maintain the safety and welfare of the children in her care. The childminder keeps two accident records with a body map. One notates accidents which occur at the setting, and the other lists the children's pre-existing

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

injuries. The childminder and the parents exchange this dated information and countersign the recorded entries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and settled. The childminder knows the children well and she sets out resources to welcome them and help them settle. She knows, however, which children prefer to select toys for themselves. The toys and resources are of good quality and are maintained well. They meet the needs of all the children attending the setting. Resources are stored in boxes in an outside shed and are categorised according to the children's approximate ages. These are presented in the playroom according to which children are attending the setting. This system allows the children maximum playing space and gives them opportunities for making decisions, opting for toys of their choice. All the children enjoy role play like 'schools', for example, which is currently topical with the older children. The younger children play shops and enjoy using the till. Other imaginative playing resources include home corner equipment with fake food

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

cooking pots and flatware. Children engage in the Halloween celebrations. They enjoy cooking and they shop with the childminder, discussing and buying the ingredients they will use. Pumpkin

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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 jelly moulds with orange jelly cause much delight when set, turned out and presented at the party. Children also make scary spider cake with eight bent straws for legs. They enjoy the witch, ghost and bat ginger biscuits they make as a treat for their snack today. The children also enjoy visits to outside venues. They visit Paultons Park and Krazy Kingdom, for example, walk to Woolston, and have shopping expeditions for ingredients and materials. Photographs, which the children enjoy looking at to remember, show them having fun in the paddling pool at Paultons Park and other venues, in warm weather. The children are encouraged to play games where they take turns. At Halloween, for example, they enjoy the game "Pin the leg on the spider". Art and craftwork is displayed on the main playing room walls. The childminder is preparing for Christmas

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

craft activities, ordering interesting materials for the children to work with. The toddlers, in addition to their soft toys, post box, stories, selected television programmes, such as C Beebies, and dolls with bottles and prams for imaginative play, also have a selection of programmable toys. Babies also are included in all activities at the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children value diversity. The childminder supports families who may not have English as a first language. She seeks help for parents to negotiate contracts, and provides pictorial cues to help the children understand daily routines. She also talks to the children about people they see when out and about, giving them positive feedback at all times. However, resources promoting positive images of a diverse world are limited. Children who may have additional needs are supported in the setting. The childminder works with the parents and with other professionals to maximise the children's development and potential. She adapts equipment to meet the children's individual needs and ensures privacy for intimate care. The children are considerate. The childminder has a written behaviour policy and the children are learning the house rules. The childminder is aware of the children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

differing levels of behaviour and understanding. The children are awarded praise, stars and stickers for behaving well, achieving, being kind and waiting their turn. The children's needs are met through the childminder's partnership with parents. Together they negotiate and complete contracts and consent forms to arrange a care package that meets the children's needs. The parents and the childminder discuss problems as they arise. All the parents have access to a folder of information about the setting, which includes policies and statements about the childminder's duty as a professional child carer. Information is exchanged about the children's day on arrival and departure. The parents usually have more time to talk when they collect the children. Where complaints cannot be resolved in the setting, the parents have

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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 access to the regulator's contact number. The childminder, however, does not have a system that she shares with the parents in order to record and progress in-house complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is suitably qualified and experienced to care for the children. She has a family of her own and enjoys working with the children. She has completed her training course and has a valid first aid qualification. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose. She uses her time well. She consults her diary, for example, to ensure that ratios are maintained and that the children receive good quality care and time. Her daily register is up-to-date, notating actual times of arrival and departure. She has made a rota of activities for the half-term period, to which the children contribute. The childminder extends experiences for the children by acquiring membership to the book and toy libraries. Days out are also organised to further extend their understanding and experience of the wider world. The childminder pursues ongoing training and is enrolled on two courses in 2006, for she is committed to raising the

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Organisation

quality of her provision. The childminder uses her records effectively. Most documentation is in place and filed in respect of confidentiality. Information is shared with the parents and contracts are regularly reviewed. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to put procedures in place for the administration of medicine and to include information for the parents and a statement of intent about her duty to safeguard children. She was also asked to complete her childminder training course. The children are safe and well cared for because the childminder now has procedures in place for the administration of medicine and has completed her childminder training course. The parents now have a statement informing them of the childminder's professional duty to safeguard the children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

No complaints have been made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents which they can see on request. The 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): • implement an 'in house' complaints procedure. • increase resources to promote positive images of a diverse world.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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