Chambers, Fleur

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 111006 Inspection date 26 May 2005 Inspector Diane Ryan

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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 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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two children of junior and senior school age in the small village of Purbrook, north of Portsmouth, Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor areas of the childminder’s house and toilet facilities upstairs are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part time basis or before and after school. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and playgroups. The childminder takes children to the local parent/toddler group, childminding support group, the local library and to the park. The family have no pets.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder is pro active in promoting the good health of children and follows sound hygiene practices and is a good role model. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene, through the childminder’s high level of support, keeping themselves healthy and free of germs. The childminder promotes children's welfare by recording accidents, incidents or medication administered, ensuring parent’s sign giving consent or acknowledging the entries. Parents keep their children at home when sick or have an infectious diseases, preventing the spread of infection. The childminder has an sound understanding of healthy eating and the need for children to have a nutritious balanced diet. She has recently reviewed the menu used to introduce children to healthier meals and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Children have access to drinking water throughout the day, which they can access

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

independently. Children benefit from a variety of physical play opportunities and regularly attend different children’s groups and visit the park as well as using physical equipment in her garden, encouraging them to contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder offers a welcoming, warm, and safe provision for children by identifying and minimising potential risks in the premises and garden, however, the fire blanket in the kitchen is not easily accessible. She promotes children’s safety in the home by encouraging children to have an awareness of their own safety and by observing the clear boundaries set. The premises are secure and the childminder supervises the children closely at all times. A wide range of well maintained furniture, toys and equipment is available. Children can self-select resources and initiate their play developing their independence and self-confidence. The childminder discusses road safety and stranger danger when out walking, encouraging children to be aware of any potential hazards and keeping themselves safe. The childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection. She has a child protection policy, which she shares with parents, ensuring children’s welfare.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the individual needs of the children in her care and she builds good relationships with them. She acts as a positive role model, participating fully in all activities and children are relaxed and confident in her care and have fun. Children are actively involved in their learning, with positive interaction between the childminder and children increasing their confidence and social skills. Children are able to participate in all activities, which are adapted to suit their age and stage of development, meeting their individual needs encouraging imagination and helping them to learn to share. For example, the children playing rescuing the dolls from the water but they only had one fire engine so the childminder encouraged them to take turns using it. They have opportunities to help grow flowers and vegetables in the childminders garden and help with picking

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the fruit when ripe, learning how fruits and vegetables grow and where they come from. Pictures of children’s work are around the rooms, making the children feel good about themselves. The childminder takes children on many different visits such as to toddler groups, the library or the park, giving children the opportunity to develop their social skills.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity and treats all children as individuals. She helps them to feel good about themselves by giving praise and acknowledging their differences and extends their understanding through discussion. She has a wide range of resources reflecting equal opportunities available including those depicting people with disabilities and small world people. She has many books showing how people live in other countries and encourages children to recognise differences and similarities in others, developing their respect of others. The childminder is happy to care for a child with special needs, she would always consider the needs of all children very carefully. She will adapt activities so that all children can join in and be fully involved with the other children, encouraging children to feel safe and secure in the family group. The childminder works together with parents in managing children’s behaviour to

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

ensure a consistent approach. She promotes positive behaviour, giving praise and encouragement as children learn to share, take turns, and co-operate with one another. The childminder recognises the importance of working together in partnership with parents and carers and feels she has established positive relationships with parents thereby ensuring consistency for the children. Several letters of reference from parents stating how caring, thoughtful, flexible, and conscientious they think she is. She provides stimulating activities and communicates well with children and their parents as a result children are happy and well settled in her care.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises the space well allowing children to move around freely and become involved in all the different types of play opportunities. They are fully occupied with a wide range of resources, activities and outings. The childminder maintains all paper work to a high standard; she gathers all relevant information from parents about their child, ensuring continuity of care. She has a good range of policies and procedures, which work in practice to promote children’s health and safety; ensuring children are well protected and cared for. The childminder has a clear understanding of the requirements of her registration and the inspection process, keeping children safe. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to obtain parents signatures in daily register. the childminder now ensures they sign at the bottom of the page.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

p.5

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 fire blanket is placed in a position that can be reached in the event of a fire.

p.5

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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

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

p.6