Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342304 Unique Reference Number 15 June 2007 Inspection date Melissa Cox 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 2006. She lives with her partner and their two year old child in Tadley, Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house with the exception of the study is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. She is registered to care for up to five children under the age of eight years. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder takes children to and collects from the local schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning good hygiene procedures through effective daily routines. For example, children use liquid soap and individual hand towels to wash their hands before eating and after toileting. The childminder promotes good hygiene through her own effective role modelling, such as hygienically clearing up children's accidents and immediately washing her own hands. Children's minor accidents are appropriately treated, recorded and shared with parents. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and regularly checks and replenishes the first aid

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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 kit. Children's medication needs are well documented and parental consent has been obtained which meets children's needs in emergency situations.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthily by the wide range of nutritious food supplied by their parents and the range of fresh fruit provided by the childminder. Children are offered drinks regularly which are refilled routinely, according to children's individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good daily opportunities to enjoy physical activities both inside and outdoors. They attend a weekly toddler group where they practise their skills indoors and spend time in the garden making good use of a range of equipment, such as a trampoline to extend their skills. Children go on regular walks to the park or on trips to a local indoor play area. They are provided with good space indoors to enable them to move freely and enjoy a range of activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have good space to play in a clean and well organised home environment. Children can access resources independently as these are well organised in small boxes laid out on the floor. All resources are of good quality and age appropriate for the children attending. Children benefit from the good range of equipment to support them in their play, such as a small table and chair and a large soft cover for young children to play on. Children are interested in the toys provided, such as puzzles, soft toys, books, construction and role play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe as the childminder has a good understanding of potential risks and has taken the necessary actions to minimise these. For example, sleeping children are checked regularly, dangerous substances are inaccessible to children, electrical sockets are covered. In addition, there is a well thought out emergency evacuation procedure in place, a health and safety policy and written risk assessments for each area of the house, which all benefit children's safety. Children are learning about their own safety through routine discussions with the childminder, who reminds them of potential dangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care, which are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the care of the warm, attentive childminder, who interacts effectively with all children at their own level simultaneously. They are praised routinely, such as 'that's a lovely picture' and 'well done, good colouring', which raises children's self-esteem. Children are cuddled the childminder displays lots of positive facial expressions, which helps children feel secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of activities on a daily basis, such as painting, drawing, puzzles, construction, outside play, cutting and sticking and songs and rhymes. Children's individual stage of development is well recognised with all activities linked to their learning. For example, children are encouraged to name the colour of paints as they are used and match the colours to clothing they are wearing. Children express themselves well and are listened to and appreciated by the childminder who gives them time to think about what they want to say. The childminder has a developing understanding of Birth to three matters framework which she

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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 plans to use to enhance her childminding practise. Children's activities are planned on a daily basis but are flexible according to children's daily routines and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is positively promoted through the childminder routinely praising and encouraging their efforts. Good manners are effectively encouraged, and children are polite and considerate due to the good example set by the childminder. The written behaviour management policy is consistently applied with effective results. Good use of praise and encouragement builds children's self-esteem and they are confident and self-assured.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks positively about cultures, gender and disabilities, and provides positive images, for children to gain an awareness of people's differences. Children learn about diversity through the range of resources which reflect positive images, such as books and puzzles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good partnership with parents. A wide range of policies and procedures are shared with parents to inform them of the care provided for their children. The childminder records full details about children before they start, and written parental permissions about the care needs of children are kept. This promotes continuity and ensures that children are cared for according to parents' wishes. In addition, the childminder and parents share information routinely, both verbally and in writing to ensure consistency of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home is welcoming to children, with a room dedicated to play. There is space for play, relaxation and physical exercise. Children are actively occupied as the childminder provides a broad range of clean, safe resources and organises both craft activities and regular outings to places which interest children. The childminder organises the daily routines exceptionally well, taking into account the needs of the children who attend, for example, art and craft activities are aimed at the children's different abilities, ensuring they all gain the most from the activities. The childminder is fully aware of the registration requirements and ensures she maintains the correct ratios, helping to protect the children and ensure they are fully supervised and receive a very good level of support at all times.

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Organisation

Paperwork is well organised, confidentially maintained and where appropriate shared with parents. Documentation complies with both the National Standards and regulatory requirements. 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): • continue to improve the outcomes for children under three by using an approach in line with Birth to three matters.

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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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