Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343541 Unique Reference Number 23 April 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 10 months and eight years, in Bulford Barracks. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed back garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and one child overnight. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder cares for children with learning difficulties and /or disabilities.

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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 have healthy food and drink. The childminder supplies snacks of fruit or raw vegetables and provides drinking water which is kept out for children to help themselves. Older children have been learning about healthy eating and have made laminated place mats showing healthy

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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 foods. Parents are encouraged to provide nutritious packed lunches and the childminder has put up a poster with ideas for healthy lunchboxes. The childminder has completed a food hygiene course.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about good hygiene practice. They use wet wipes after snack time to clean their faces and a child washes their hands after having a nappy change. Children usually follow an appropriate hand washing routine after using the toilet and before eating but this is not always implemented. Children have separate hand towels to prevent cross infection. Younger children's hygiene needs are met well due to thorough nappy changing procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well protected from illness and infection. The childminder does not care for children with contagious illnesses and informs parents if her own children are unwell. There are leaflets about childhood illnesses displayed on the parent notice board. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise. They walk to and from school and play in the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning about how to stay safe. The childminder points out hazards to them and reminds them to be gentle with the baby because its head is soft. She explains that a child cannot play with a toy with small parts when the baby is present because it could choke on them. Children are learning about road safety when they walk to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can play and move around safely due to effective measures. These include using safety gates to deny access to the kitchen and the stairs and making daily safety checks to ensure the environment is safe and secure for children. At present cleaning materials are kept under the sink in an unlocked cupboard. The childminder ensures children cannot access these by managing the situation carefully. She does not allow children to have access to the kitchen unless under direct supervision. However, children's safety would be further enhanced if cleaning materials were kept out of their reach at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety outdoors and on outings is ensured through positive measures. The garden is fully enclosed and has a locked gate and shed. Children are always fully supervised when playing outside. When they go on outings the childminder ensures that they use appropriate car seats. When they are walking younger children hold hands and older children are reminded to stay close by. The childminder uses identity wristbands for minded children and is having bright yellow t-shirts made for them so that they are easily identifiable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training and has detailed procedures in place. She has a good understanding of the possible indicators of abuse such as signs of neglect and unexplained marks and bruises. She knows what to do if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a wide range of stimulating activities. The childminder plans activities relating to topics such as 'Planting Seeds and Caring for Plants'. She also uses the Birth to three framework to help her plan age-appropriate activities. Children enjoy activities such as role-play, small world play and arts and crafts which help them to learn through play. They also have regular outdoor play in the park or garden which helps them develop physical skills. They have

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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 easy access to a varied range of resources for all ages including puzzles, books and games. This ensures that they have good opportunities to make choices about what they want to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are settled and confident. A child goes to fetch the tractors and chats to the childminder about them. Children are curious and ask "What's that?" They are learning through discussion with the childminder. For example, they talk about kangaroos and where they keep their babies. They are encouraged to think for themselves. The childminder asks whether a stacking cup will fit into another and asks children to count and identify colours. The childminder provides good support for children. She sits on the floor to play with them and encourages their independence. She boosts their self esteem by using praise and acknowledgment. For example, she praises a child for correctly identifying a shape.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have positive relationships with one another. For example, a child shows another how to play with a toy. They actively contribute by helping to tidy away toys before having lunch. Children are well behaved. Young children are learning to take turns and share and the childminder reminds them to say please and thank you. Children have drawn up ground rules and older children have made posters about bullying. The childminder has attended behaviour management training. She makes good use of praise to reward good behaviour and uses effective methods, such a time out, to manage difficult behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about wider society. They regularly use resources that reflect positive images of diversity including books, dressing up clothes and posters. They also take part in activities linked to festivals such as Chinese New Year and Easter. Children are able to play with whatever resources they choose and the childminder ensures that most activities, such as play dough, can be enjoyed by all ages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and /or disabilities are cared for effectively. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children's needs are fully understood and met. She uses a comment book and discussion to share information with parents. She has attended behaviour management training to help her manage children's specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective working relationship between parents and the childminder. The childminder has a detailed portfolio that she shares with parents and also has a parent notice board with a variety of useful information on it. She uses comment books and regular discussion to share information and works closely with parents on issues such as potty training. She offers support to parents and they have given her excellent written references.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment. The sitting room provides plenty of play space and there is a separate toy room for storage. The environment is welcoming with posters and displays of the children's work. There is colourful child-sized furniture and resources are arranged attractively. For example, the role play area is set out with a tablecloth on the table. Resources are rotated to maintain children's interest and are set out so that children can access them easily.

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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 Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to professional development. She has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice course and a first aid course. She has also attended food hygiene and behaviour management training. She is keen to continue to develop her skills and has booked to attend health and safety training.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted through the keeping of all necessary records, policies and procedures. The childminder has drawn up several policies, including equal opportunities and behaviour management, and these are shared with parents. She keeps all records accurately. For example, the register shows the exact times of children's arrival and departure and is kept up to date. She has a full complaints procedure and record in place. Records are stored securely.

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Organisation

The provider 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. 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 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 children always follow hand washing procedures • further enhance children's safety by keeping cleaning materials out of reach at all times

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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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