Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY254956 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2007 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 three children aged eight, five and three years in Mortimer Common in Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder takes children to and collects from local schools and pre-schools. She attends local toddler groups and takes children to the local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two dogs, a cat and a parrot as pets.

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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. Children learn about personal hygiene as they wash their hands after messy play, outdoor play and before meals. The childminder has good hygiene practices herself and makes sure that the children wash their hands properly or use wipes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder acts appropriately when children are unwell. She has an accident and medication record book in place for the children but not written permission to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and has knowledge of the children's medical and dietary needs. She discusses the provision of meals with parents and encourages the children to have healthy options for snacks. Children access drinks easily when they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for physical play both indoors and outdoors which help them develop their skills. The childminder takes them to places such as the local park and toddler clubs, where they have further opportunities for this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She supervises the children at all times to minimise any risks. The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending. She checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use. The children independently access and choose from the toys that are available within the living room. The childminder rotates these with others, so that the children get a variety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes children on outings and ensures children's safety in her care by using appropriate seats and restraints. However she is unable to show written parental permission for outings. The childminder has a good working knowledge of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child, which safeguards their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is aware of the individual children's developmental needs and ensures they receive appropriate support. The children get on well together and play alongside each other, with the older children involving the others in their play. They receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder, for their efforts and achievements, for example when learning to walk or sharing toys. This promotes the children's self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children take part in a variety of activities, both indoors and out. The childminder plans each day according to the needs of the children attending, taking into account their individual routines and sleeping patterns. The children enjoy playing in the garden, going to the park, feeding the ducks and outings to places such as the Beale animal park.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder knows the children's individual needs and has ongoing dialogue with the parents to ensure consistency of care. The childminder knows the routes of referral if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children approach the childminder readily, interact well with both her and each other and it is evident they are happy in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes good behaviour with the children by using a positive approach. The children behave well and the childminder uses appropriate strategies, for example distraction if needed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with the parents. She exchanges information through daily discussions and a diary for the youngest child.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder organises her time and the space available well, to give the children a good range of play and learning experiences both in and outside of the home environment. Children's own routines are incorporated in the daily planning which makes them feel secure.

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Organisation

The childminder has most of the relevant documentation in place to ensure she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. However she is unable to show written permission from the parents to take children in the car or to seek medical advice or treatment. Other documents for example accident and medication records lack detail. The certificate of registration is displayed enabling parents to see conditions of registration. The childminder also displays her current first aid and valid insurance certificates.

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Organisation

The childminder discusses her practice with parents and liaises regularly with them to ensure she is able to meet the needs of the children in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, several recommendations were made. These were to extend the range of activities and resources that promote positive images and equality of opportunity; to increase knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; to ensure that all registration documentation is in place and to ensure that the premises are secure when a child sleeping upstairs is not using a travel cot.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since that inspection, the childminder has moved house and children only sleep upstairs in a travel cot. The childminder has received the revised child protection handbook and updated contact numbers. The range of toys and resources which reflect positive images of different cultures and abilities has been increased to include Disney videos, a black doll , puzzles and story sacks. Documentation is in place but some, for example the accident records, lack detail and others were not available at the inspection.

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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): • ensure that written permission is obtained from parents for the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure that all records relating to childminding are readily available for inspection at all times, including relevant permissions and contracts.

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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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