Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340709 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2007 Inspection date Nicola Hill 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 2006. She lives with her husband in a semi-detached house in Farnborough. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities available on this floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has three cats as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler group. She holds a valid first aid qualification. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children aged between eight months and seven years, who all attend on a part-time basis. She is not registered to provide overnight care.

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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 good. Children play happily within the childminder's home which is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring children start to understand the importance of good hygiene and personal care. For example, they each have separate towels to dry their hands, the childminder wears disposable gloves when changing nappies, and gives consistent guidance as she reminds children to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder has a first aid qualification and there are good procedures in place to record accidents and administer any necessary medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for children to spend time outside and benefit from the fresh air. She walks whenever possible when taking children to school, and visits the local parks so that older children can enjoy vigorous play using a variety of equipment. There is plenty of space within the home for babies to develop their crawling skills and the childminder has the appropriate equipment in place, ready to support them in learning to stand unaided and walk. There is good provision in place for children to improve their physical skills and develop control of their bodies through garden equipment such as wheeled toys, bats and balls and a mini trampoline. In addition, the childminder also takes children to local soft play centres, puts exercise DVDs on the television for children to dance to, and puts out a ball pond in the playroom, ensuring that children can be active whatever the weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

The food provided by the childminder is highly nutritious and freshly prepared, which promotes children's good health. Foods such as crisps and chocolate are not included as part of the daily menu, and children enjoy plenty of fruit and vegetables that the childminder incorporates into snacks and freshly cooked hot meals. Some parents provide weaning foods and milk bottles, which are stored appropriately. The childminder monitors what is being provided to ensure children are benefiting from a healthy diet, and provides regular feedback to the parents. Good social interaction is fostered as the children sit and eat together. Older children have ready access to drinks, which keeps them hydrated. They each have their own sports bottles full of water that are refilled regularly. However, babies who cannot yet help themselves to a drink, are not always offered water at regular intervals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and homely environment. They have use of a dedicated play area, with a good amount of clear floor space for children to move and play freely, child-height furniture, colourful posters on the walls and children's music playing in the background. The environment is also welcoming to parents, with a variety of informative leaflets and posters on display. The children use a good range of toys and resources, which the childminder makes sure are stimulating and appropriate for their age and developmental stage. All resources are kept clean, in good condition and presented invitingly to children at floor level. This successfully promotes children's developing independence and their desire to explore and investigate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home. The childminder has all the consents and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, including written procedures for lost and

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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 uncollected children. Her knowledge of child protection issues is good and she understands the procedures to follow should she have any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes action to ensure children are safe whilst in her care, through identifying possible risks or hazards and putting safety precautions in place, such as socket covers and safety gates. She locks her cats out of the house when children are sleeping to ensure their safety, and ensures the front door is secure, allowing access only to authorised persons. The childminder acts as a good role model, ensuring children are learning about the importance of staying safe. She discusses road safety with them when out on walks and has effective procedures in place for emergency evacuation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the friendly atmosphere created in the childminder's home. The childminder knows the children well and she uses regular daily routines that take account of their needs, such as mealtimes, and rest times. She interacts positively with the children, giving them plenty of comfort and reassurance. As a result, they are developing a sound sense of trust and security.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a good and balanced range of learning opportunities, both in and out of the home. The childminder takes children to the park and on walks past the local farm, which encourages their interest in the wider world. She also takes children to different toddler groups, and to the local library for story time and rhyme time, which encourages their social skills and their ability to relate to a wider group of adults and peers. Older children also enjoy their time at the end of the school day when they can relax or be active in accordance with their interests. They are provided with activities suitable to their age group, such as art and craft and swing ball games outside. The childminder helps the children with their spellings and homework at parents' request.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with an assortment of fun experiences such as role play, construction, stories, art and craft and outdoor play. The childminder is perceptive to children's interests during play and uses appropriate questions, reinforcement and repetition to challenge their thinking and extend their learning. For example, one child takes out a carton of milk during role play and comments that milk comes from cows. The childminder then talks to the children about what other things we get from animals such as chickens and sheep. She talks through different colours as the children complete puzzles and, when a child points out a picture of a pink jelly, the childminder starts to sing 'jelly on a plate', which the children clearly enjoy. Babies generally spend their time purposefully and enjoy cuddles with the childminder. They love to sit on her lap, as she sings and bounces them up and down. They look at books with older

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children as the childminder picks books with different textures that they can touch and feel as she reads. The childminder does not currently use the Birth to three matters framework to fully support her practice. This can be reflected in some instances when babies, although interested in watching activities, are not involved in all the experiences the childminder provides, which can be more suited to older children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with concern and respect. Children develop a secure sense of belonging at the setting because the childminder values them as individuals, and seeks information from

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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 parents to help her meet their needs effectively. Children learn to respect and understand all members of society through discussion with the childminder and using resources that promote positive images as part of their everyday play. They have frequent outside visits in the surrounding community, which helps to promote a positive view of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's achievements are recognised and praised which builds their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder uses positive methods to promote good behaviour in children. For example, she effectively distracts babies and talks to older children about their behaviour to help them understand the consequences of their actions. Older children take pleasure in the company of others and show care and concern for babies, as they share their toys and give them cuddles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good relationship with the parents, keeping them well informed of their child's progress through the use of daily dialogue and a report diary. The childminder works well with the parents to ensure their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to. She has a range of well presented policies and procedures that are effective in informing parents of the care and provision offered, as well as her own website for parents to access whenever they wish.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is enthusiastic and enjoys her work with the children. She has a positive attitude towards her own professional development and has booked herself onto a variety of short training courses to enhance her practice. The children are settled and at ease within this well-organised environment. The atmosphere is one that is calm and happy and where children feel welcome. The amount of space and the variety of toys and equipment, create a welcoming and safe environment for children. Routines are well established in order to help children feel secure.

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Organisation

The welfare and safety of the children is very important to the childminder and correct ratios are maintained at all times. Systems for keeping children's records are well organised and used effectively to promote children's welfare. Records are confidentially maintained in order to effectively protect children and their families. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 all children are offered drinks at regular intervals • consider using an approach in line with the Birth to three matters framework to further promote the outcomes for children under three and ensure their needs are equally met

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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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