Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY258305 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2007 Inspection date Christine Coram 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 with her partner and two children aged over 16 years in a house in New Milton. Their other two children, who are aged over eight years, stay in the home on a regular basis. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden 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. However, she works with her partner who is also registered as a childminder. When working together, they may care for a maximum of 12 children at any one time. The childminders are currently minding 26 children in total. This includes children that attend before or after school and in the school holidays only. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's hygiene is suitably promoted. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands and the childminder uses an anti-bacterial spray on the changing mat after each use. Children

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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 are effectively protected from the effects of smoking as no smoking is allowed on the premises at all. Should children have accidents at the setting, they are protected because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. The first aid box is kept in kitchen where it is easy to access. Accident records are clear and include, where appropriate, details such as a body map.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's nutritional health is promoted. Most food is provided by the childminder although parent's wishes are respected and they provide meals if they wish. Snacks and meals are sufficiently healthy and nutritious. For example, children enjoy cereal or porridge for breakfast. Hot meals are also offered and include roast meat and vegetables, and spaghetti bolognaise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in safety, in suitable premises. They have access to an area at of the back of the house that includes a safe playroom for the children to play. This is the main play area, but children also have access to the living room and study. The space is organised well and children have good space in which to play. Nappy changing takes place in the study so that children have some privacy. The environment is made welcoming with toys, pictures and low level furniture. Children have their own coat pegs and shoe store and can use these independently. Furniture, toys and equipment are safe for the children's use. They are appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children. A child-height table and stools are provided as well as adult height chairs and highchairs. Children can reach their toys and equipment easily as much is stored in boxes at their height in the play room. They select

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

toys independently and are encouraged to put them away as they play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good security of the premises helps to keep the children safe. No one can open the door from the outside and a gate prevents the children from accessing the door so that they cannot leave the premises unsupervised. The safety on the premises is sufficient and equipment is in place, for example, gates to limit access to the stairs and kitchen. There are suitable arrangements in place for outings. These include using reins and wrist straps. All children wear tabards to help to identify them. Children are protected because the childminder has a clear and realistic understanding of safeguarding issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the activities provided. A suitable range of equipment is available for the children's free choice. It includes Lego and other construction toys, shape sorters, train track and dressing up clothes. The selection of toys is rotated each day to stimulate use. A computer and other electronic toys are provided for older children. The range of books is suitable for a variety of ages. These included books that help children understand different situations, such as a new baby in the family. Books for younger child are also provided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate very well to each other and to the adults. They are beginning to share and are encouraged to play co-operatively. The childminder interacts well and helps children to learn and develop through use of clear vocabulary and questioning. She also uses some 'Makaton' sign language.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder takes account of children’s individual needs and treats them with equal concern. She has a positive attitude towards all and is able to describe the needs of all children including any developmental concerns. All children have access to appropriate toys and equipment and the childminder is able to describe ways of making access easier for different children. Resources reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. Books include multicultural images, and images of varied religions. Toys include a dolls house with ramps and a wheelchair. Children with special needs receive appropriate care because the childminder has previous experience in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed effectively. Children generally behave very well. Encouragement is needed for sharing or deferring wants but this is expected given their age. The childminder is firm and clear but gentle and employs humour to defuse situations. She is consistent in her approach. For example, she asks the children to put the toys away before snack and follows this through. Good behaviour is valued, and encouragement is given when children behave in the required way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have useful information about the service offered. Basic written information is given to them about activities, arrangements for nappies and policy for sickness, for example. The childminder is very clear about looking after children according to parents’ wishes. She has a clear policy to make sure that children are only collected by authorised adults.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has the required certificates. In addition, she has undertaken an NVQ level 3 in childcare. She works effectively with her co-childminder, although records do not make clear the times when one of them is in sole charge of children. Records of attendance are in place but do not always contain full information about the children or the dates.

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Organisation

Good use is made of space and the resources. The childminder is organised and has a clear routine. The required documentation is in place and effectively filed so that information held about the children is accessible and confidential.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder was asked to complete an appropriate first aid course, develop knowledge and understanding of the National Standards, make improvements to children's safety in ways specific to the premises. She was also asked to improve documentation by recording the times of children's arrival and departure, obtaining written consent and recording the administration of medication on every occasion, and maintaining a written agreement with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The children's health is now better protected as the childminder has attended an appropriate first aid course. She has a suitable understanding of the National Standards and can operate within them. The safety issues no longer apply because the childminder has moved house. The home is a safe environment for the children. The required documentation is now in place, ensuring that children's needs are clear and can be met.

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Improvements 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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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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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): • make sure that the record of attendance shows clearly which children are over eight, and contains the full names of the children and complete dates • maintain a record of any occasions when one childminder works alone or has sole charge of children

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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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