Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY304758 Unique Reference Number 21 June 2007 Inspection date Catherine, Louise Sample 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 partner and teenage daughter in Tidworth. The ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a total of five children at any one time. There are currently a total of five children under eight and two children over eight on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about good hygiene practice. They wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and the childminder checks to ensure that they have done so. They use kitchen roll for drying their hands which prevents cross infection. They tell the childminder when they need to clean glue off their hands and know how to wipe their noses and throw

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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 away used tissues. Children's hygiene needs are met well. The childminder keeps the house clean at all times and regularly sterilises plastic toys. She cleans the mouthpiece of a musical instrument before a child uses it.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have healthy food and drink. They eat fruit, yoghurt and savoury biscuits for snacks and have easy access to drinks of water or weak squash. Packed lunches are stored appropriately and the childminder sends home any uneaten contents so that parents know exactly what the child has had. Children are learning about healthy eating. They talk about only having chocolate as a treat and try tasting different fruits to encourage healthy eating habits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected well from illness and infection. The childminder has ground rules about what illnesses she is prepared to care for such as minor colds. She enforces a 24 hour exclusion period for sickness and diarrhoea to prevent the spread of infection. She has recently renewed her first aid qualification in order to be able to meet children's first aid needs effectively. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise. They walk to and from school and pre-school and also engage in physical play in the park and garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about how to stay safe. The childminder frequently reminds them about personal safety. For example, she explains to a child why it is not safe to carry the train track above their head. She also shows a child how to use a musical instrument safely and reminds children that they should walk and not run.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can move about the setting safely due to generally effective measures. These include keeping the front and back doors locked at all times and keeping cleaning materials and sharp objects out of children's reach. There is a wall mounted fire blanket and smoke detectors on both floors. However, not all electrical sockets are covered which puts children at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety outside is ensured through positive measures. The garden is fully enclosed and the gate is padlocked. Younger children wear wrist straps or hold the childminder's hand when on outings. Children of all ages are encouraged to look and listen for traffic when crossing the road. The childminder carries emergency contact details and a mobile phone on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's thorough understanding of child protection issues. She has recently completed child protection training and has a sound grasp of the possible indicators of abuse. She knows what to do if she suspects a child is being abused. She is also aware of the importance of recording existing injuries and any concerns that she may have about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident. They chat happily to the childminder as they play and keep their models to show off to the older children later in the day. Their self esteem is boosted through frequent praise from the childminder. She tells them how good they are at doing sticking and praises a child for making a star shaped construction. Children benefit from plenty of adult support. The childminder sits on the floor with minded children to do art and craft activities and talks with them about the colour and textures of the collage materials. Children are becoming independent. They put on and take off their own shoes and fetch activities that they want to do. The

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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 childminder is helping them to develop independent skills by encouraging them to do activities such as counting and completing puzzles by themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a stimulating range of activities. The childminder makes informal plans for activities that include gardening, cooking, potato printing and a variety of other arts and crafts. Planning is flexible to take account of the weather and children's interests and the childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework for guidance. Children have good opportunities to make choices. They can choose from a wide range of resources that includes different collage materials, a treasure basket of items with different textures and musical instruments from around the world. Children are learning effectively through play. The childminder asks children to identify colours and shapes and encourages them to think for themselves by asking questions such as " What do you think it is?".

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children play an active role in the setting. They help to set out the train track and put away the puzzles. They can also choose what activities they want to do. They have positive relationships with one another. They play together with the train set and talk about taking turns with it.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They are good at taking turns and sharing. For example, they take turns with the musical instruments and share the task of pushing the train around the track. They have good manners and remember to say please and thank you. The childminder emphasises the positive and gives rewards for good behaviour rather than focussing on bad behaviour. She discusses behaviour management with parents to ensure a consistent approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about wider society. They use a wide range of multicultural resources that help them learn about diversity. These include musical instruments from other countries, books and dolls. The childminder often travels abroad and brings back resources to share with children. There are also positive images displayed of children with different coloured skins playing together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is not currently caring for any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but she has previously worked with children with additional needs in an N.S.P.C.C. opportunity group. She has also attended relevant training and understands the importance of working closely with parents and any agencies involved in the child's welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective working relationship between the parents and childminder. The childminder uses contracts and child record forms to set out the terms of the arrangement and collect any relevant information. She shares information with parents through discussion and has previously also kept a written diary for a baby. She works closely with parents to ensure that children's needs are met. For example, she liaises with them on children's eating habits and behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a generally well organised environment. The sitting room is used as the main play area and the kitchen is used for eating and other table top activities. The large, attractive garden provides plenty of outdoor play space. Children can help themselves to toys

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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 and activities which are organised well. The childminder sets out an attractive display of resources every day and children can also select more from the toy cupboards.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to professional development. She has attended a variety of training including Take Ten for Play and courses related to working with children with learning difficulties and /or disabilities. She has recently completed courses on play and language and child protection and is booked to do a food hygiene course.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is enhanced through the keeping of all necessary records. The childminder keeps a daily record of attendance and is aware of the need to record any complaints made by parents. She stores records securely to ensure confidentiality. However, she does not provide parents with any written information about her childminding service or have any written policies and procedures which would further enhance the organisation of the provision.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure that the back door and garden gate were secure and to further enhance the care of younger children by using the Birth to three matters framework.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The gate is now padlocked at all times and the back door is kept locked. These measures ensure children's safety. The childminder now uses the Birth to three matters framework as guidance when planning activities for younger children. This has enhanced their care and education.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received a complaint relating to National Standard 1: Suitable Person. This involved the childminder breaching her conditions of registration by caring for more children than she was allowed. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit which identified that the conditions were being breached. As a result, Ofsted delivered a caution to the childminder. This visit also identified that the attendance register was not being kept daily. A compliance notice was issued requiring that the childminder maintain accurate child attendance records on a daily basis. Ofsted carried out another unannounced visit which confirmed that the childminder was complying with the conditions of her registration and was maintaining an accurate child attendance register. Ofsted was satisfied that the National Standards were being met and the registered person remained suitable for registration.

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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 electrical sockets are inaccessible to children • consider providing parents with written information about the provision including basic policies and procedures

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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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