Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY274736 Unique Reference Number 19 April 2007 Inspection date Tonia Chilcott 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and one child aged under eight years, in Gosport, Hampshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is available for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder lives within walking distance of local schools, shops and parks. She attends the local parent and toddler and activity groups and also takes children to the local park. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children; one on a full time basis and all under the age of five years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of healthy and nutritious snacks and drinks and take pleasure in sitting at the table together to eat. Children confidently request drinks and snacks throughout the day. The childminder ensures that suitable procedures are in place to provide children with suitable meals, should parents not bring a packed lunch. Children benefit from the childminder's effective procedures to gather information about children’s dietary requirements and parental

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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 wishes; consequently allowing her to provide for and meet the individual needs of all children, should she provide any meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children gain a good understanding of personal hygiene. They learn to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, and do so with effective but gentle guidance and support from the childminder as required. Children are well protected from the spread of illness and infection and access individual colour coded towels and flannels to wash their hands with, confidently identifying their own and those of others. Children are well protected by the childminder, who has completed the relevant first aid training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment that remains secure at all times. Space is used well, allowing children to play comfortably. Children freely make choices from the good range of toys and materials that are easily accessible to them. Children's safety is promoted by the childminder who has a sound awareness of most safety issues. Children learn about fire safety and how to safely leave the home in the event of an emergency. Effective procedures to check fire safety resources such as the smoke alarms, contributes to children's overall safety, however, although a fire blanket is readily available, this is not fitted correctly. Additionally, at times, electrical leads that are not in use or connected to any equipment, remain trailing on the floor and plugged into the electricity, posing a small risk. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through a range of activities. For example, they learn about road safety

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

whilst out of the home, with practical examples whilst out walking. Children are protected by the childminder who 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 thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They are secure and confident in the childminder's home due to the caring relationships that the childminder fosters with them. Children eagerly and independently choose activities and resources from the wide range readily available to them and the choices suggested to them by the childminder. For instance, children choose eagerly to take part in painting activities and really enjoy painting their hands and experimenting with the colour on their fingers. They talk about their blue hands to one another whilst painting. Children learn to share and take turns whilst playing together with floor toys, and thoroughly enjoy looking at photographs of themselves partaking in activities together, such as trips out of the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well whilst in the care of the childminder. Their behaviour is managed consistently and positively by the childminder, who has effective procedures in place to record and share information with parents. Children access a good range of resources and activities which help them understand their own needs and those of others, and promote a positive view of the wider world. The childminder has a positive and welcoming approach regarding the care of children with learning difficulties or disabilities. Children's needs are well met by the childminder's procedures to share information with parents on a regular basis. Parents are provided with a good range of written information relating to the routines, procedures and

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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 practices of the childminder, ensuring that they remain informed; however some written procedures have not been updated to reflect the childminders current practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the well thought out and planned environment. Indoor space is used very well, allowing children room to play comfortably and freely in defined areas, whilst being supervised at all times. For example, children learn that messy play takes place in the dining room area of the home. The childminder has a good range of thorough and clearly written policies and procedures that are used to effectively promote the welfare and development of all children and are shared regularly with parents. Most written policies are up to date and accurately reflect the childminders current practices. The childminder has an secure understanding of the documentation that she needs to maintain, and ensures that all are up to date and accurately completed, ensuring that children are safe and cared for appropriately at all times. Overall the provision meets the needs of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has now completed relevant training related to this area and has a secure understanding of child protection, thus protecting the children in her care. The childminder was also asked to improve her practice regarding the monitoring of sleeping children. Children are now physically checked on a more frequent basis, to ensure that they remain safe and protected whilst sleeping. Additionally the childminder was asked to make sure that a suitable range of toys and activities are in place to meet the developmental needs of children from five to under eight years. The childminder is not currently caring for children aged over five years, although she has a sound understanding of how activities can be adapted to meet the need of older children. Finally, the childminder was asked to make sure that the

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Improvements since the last inspection

first aid box contents are sufficient, checked frequently and replaced as necessary. A system is now in place that allows the childminder to ensure that the contents of the first aid kit is appropriate at all times, thus ensuring that children are treated appropriately in the event of an injury.

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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.

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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): • ensure that all written policies and procedures reflect current practice • improve fire safety within the home, ensuring that the fire blanket is fitted appropriately and that unused electrical leads are not plugged in and trailing.

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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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