Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY303262 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2007 Inspection date Louise, Caroline Bonney 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and under one year, in Aldershot. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with access to upstairs for sleeping and use of the bathroom only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for six children, four attend before and after school only, and is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 in a clean, comfortable and well maintained environment. They learn about the importance of good hygiene through daily routines and as they help to keep their resources clean. For example, they know to wash their hands appropriately and dry them on individual hand towels, and enjoy washing equipment such as the slide when it's dirty. Parents are aware of the sickness policy, and unwell children do not attend. This helps to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children cope well with their day through the childminder continuing their home routines around sleeps and feeds. Children currently attending bring their own meals from home, and the childminder provides healthy snacks of fruit. Children learn the importance of having plenty of fluids through the childminder's encouragement. However, this is usually squash rather than fresh water.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their medical needs met well. The childminder seeks written information about any allergies and medication requirements. She manages and records accidents appropriately, and has written consents from parents for requesting emergency treatment or advice. This ensures children receive prompt medical support if necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to play outside in the fresh air. They access a wide range of apparatus in the garden and nearby park, and also attend local gyms, soft play areas and toddler groups. This helps children develop an enjoyment of exercise, and contributes to their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely in the well-organised environment that allows them to move around freely and safely. The childminder prevents their access to more hazardous areas such as the kitchen and stairs through the use of safety gates. Children use equipment that is safe and suitable and independently access their resources, most of which are within easy reach and clearly labelled.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder risk assesses well, and children learn how to be safe. For instance, they line up at the front door when they get out of the car and know not to run indoors in case they trip. Children have good opportunities to assess and manage appropriate levels of risk, such as when they balance carefully as they climb the slide up to their den, or use large apparatus in the park. The childminder has good fire evacuation procedures in place. However, children do not practise these to raise their awareness of how to evacuate the premises quickly and safely. Children learn about road safety, and know, for instance, to hold onto the buggy when walking out. This protects their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good understanding of how to safeguard the children and attends additional training to ensure her knowledge is up-to-date. She shares her child protection procedures with parents. This supports the welfare of the children.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. After-school children arrive enthusiastically, find the resources stimulating and quickly start to play. They access a good range of toys and equipment inside and outside, with many set out ready for their use. For instance, equipment such as the playhouse, climbing and sliding apparatus and large inflatable dice are ready in the garden, while inside a modelling activity using recycled materials and glue is set out on the table. Children excitedly develop their own play and learning as they select from the easily accessible and clearly labelled resources available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive good support from the childminder during their activities. For example, they learn new skills as she shows them how to use the small computer to play a letter game. She supports their imaginative ideas and helps them make a den outside, supplying additional resources such as blankets and cushions. Toddlers have good opportunities to socialise with other children and make friends as they visit other childminders' houses or meet in the park, and enjoy outings to the library story time and toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help her develop her provision and record younger children's development. She plans some activities in advance and evaluates them afterwards, such as painting, decorating biscuits or making cards. This helps her identify how children of different ages and abilities participate in the activities, and aids future planning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the strong partnership the childminder develops with parents. She seeks information about parents' and children's individual care needs during introductory meetings, and through the completion of documentation such as contracts. Parents receive a copy of her detailed policies, and share her portfolio which includes activity and meal plans, resources available and outings. Parents share all documentation such as accident records, the register, daily diaries for the under fives and the monthly newsletter. This means parents are well-informed about the provision, the activities their children participate in and the development of younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children access a wide range of resources which reflect diversity and provide equal opportunities, such as dolls, books, play-people and dressing up. They learn about their community and culture through outings, discussion and craft activities, such as making Mothers Day cards or Easter craft activities. Children are polite and behave well. They respond well to the childminder's consistent and friendly approach. She clearly explains the house rules - such as not running indoors in case they trip and hurt themselves. This helps children behave appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children relax and settle quickly in the well-organised, warm and welcoming environment. They easily access their resources, and freely move between allocated playrooms indoors and the garden. Children participate in a good range of activities through the childminder planning their time and resources well, and they are familiar with the routines she establishes that support their care needs. Parents exchange information daily during handover with the childminder and share all records, including a daily diary for younger children. The childminder implements

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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 effective policies and maintains documentation well, which she shares with parents. This keeps them well informed about the provision and their children's progress, and supports the continuity of care children receive.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder constantly evaluating and developing her provision. She attends additional training, and has nearly completed the equivalent of a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification. She books future training such as for the 'Birth to three matters' framework, and develops close links with other childminders to discuss and share expertise with.

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Organisation

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 require 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 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): • practise the emergency escape plan • make fresh drinking water available to children 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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