Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253779 Unique Reference Number 26 April 2007 Inspection date Judith Reed 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, five and two years, in the Warsash area of Hampshire. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 is currently minding one child under five years old and two children over five years old, before and after school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are healthy as the childminder has a good understanding of how to keep them clean and safe at all times. The childminder keeps a well stocked first aid kit available inside the home, as well as in the car. She also ensures her fist aid training remains up to date. The childminder keeps accurate records of accidents and medication administration, ensuring that parents are informed and sign the documentation as necessary. She holds written permission

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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 for emergency medical treatment for each minded child. The childminder is very aware of the dangers of cross infection and ensures that she wears disposable gloves for changing nappies. She uses children's own personal equipment, including changing mat, to prevent cross infection. Children use individual, disposable, paper towels to dry their hands in the downstairs toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy frequent opportunities for physical play in the garden. They use the climbing frame and other equipment including a sand and digging area. Children are taken to a local park for games of football, croquet and boules. Older children enjoy riding bicycles and skateboards under supervision. Sometimes children accompany the childminder on walks around the local area.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of drinks throughout the day and younger children have their drinks available at all times. Children are encouraged to have regular drinks. The childminder abides by the wishes of the parents when providing drinks of water, milk or squash. She is prepared to supply healthy snacks and meals for children. At the current time younger children bring their own food and it is stored in the appropriate manner. The childminder is very aware of children's individual dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure environment where the outer doors are kept locked at all times. Children mainly use the living room and dining room for play activities. A small rear garden is available for play and is fully fenced and secure. The shed is kept locked. A downstairs toilet is available off the dining room. The childminder has an awareness of safety issues and socket covers are in place around the home. Stair gates are in place at the bottom of the stairs and in the living room doorway. A fire guard is secured around the fire place. The kitchen cupboard which contains the cleaning equipment is securely latched. Children are at risk as a large, open, pack of washing powder is stored on the ground, in the downstairs toilet. The childminder has smoke alarms fitted on both floors of the home and keeps a fire blanket in the kitchen. She holds regular fire evacuation drills for children and asks them to contribute ideas

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

about escape to safety. However, records of fire drills do not currently include evaluation, to further improve practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access resources from storage around the home. The childminder ensures a selection of suitable toys are available for children every day. The childminder ensures toys are clean and safe for those children present. Older children play with toys with small pieces on the dining room table to ensure younger children remain safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has an understanding of child protection procedures and is aware of her professional duty to protect children. Parents are made aware of child protection procedures through the child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled when they are with the childminder as she ensures they are well occupied. Children are encouraged to search for small animals which belong with the toy circus. Children find the animals and hold them up to show the childminder. She gives them individual praise. The childminder helps children to develop language skills by naming toys such as Pooh or Tigger, and by asking them to repeat what they say to help her understand what they want.

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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 The children play with the circus and place the figures on the apparatus to swing or slide. Children understand that some toys need to be tidied away before other toys can be put out. They help to find the bricks that are spread all around the room and replace them in the storage box. Children are easily distracted and start to build with the blocks and show the childminder their creations. Once again they are praised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Most children share toys well and one minded child leaves a lifelike toy tiger cub with the younger children while she is at school. She is confident it will be cared for and looked after. The tiger cub is a favourite toy as the children enjoy the purrs and growls that it makes. They cuddle the furry creature and feed it a bottle, which it sucks. Children also enjoy playing with dolls, the pushchair and rocking crib. They push around the dolls in the pushchair pretending to take them for a walk. Children also wear a policeman's helmet and pull fierce faces to become more stern. They pass around the hat to let all present have a turn. The childminder prepares a development programme for younger children if the parents agree. She enables children's development through the range of activities offered. She is very aware of the individual needs of the children and understands when they need to have a rest or nap.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children who are collected from school all do their spelling homework together. They sit in the dining room to complete their homework and then have a drink and a snack. The childminder offers children the opportunity to join in junk modelling and cooking activities. She prepares a programme of activities for school holidays. This includes picnics at local parks, outings to the beach or places of interest and art and craft days.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder knows them well. She celebrates festivals such as Chinese New Year with the children. The childminder provides a range of toys including small world people, dolls and books which reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and respected. The childminder is experienced in caring for children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties. She carries out research to ensure she finds out about the children's particular needs, as well as talking to the parents and other carers. She ensures she is fully informed about caring for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are praised and encouraged throughout their activities. Good behaviour is valued. The childminder ensures toys are shared fairly and distracts children with other toys, to allow the others to take a turn with a favourite item. She has a behaviour management policy in place which includes a few house rules. The childminder keeps parents informed about both good and more challenging behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the sound business relationship established between their parents and the childminder. Parents complete contact information forms as well as a number of documents of permission. The childminder ensures she finds out about the children and their families, to help them to settle in her care. She gives daily verbal feedback to parents about their children and completes a weekly activities chart to show what they have been doing while in her care. The childminder keep parents informed about her policies and procedures including the complaints procedure. She has prepared a complaints record for parents.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable in the familiar environment. They have space to play and are taken for outings regularly. The childminder ensures she remains within her ratios at all times. A register is available and the childminder records clear times of arrival and departure. The childminder keeps emergency contact information available when she is out and about with minded children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Children's care is enhanced as the childminder has completed several relevant training courses and is planning further training later in the year. The childminder ensures children are not left with anyone who is not vetted and has a good understanding of the National Standards.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps her records in a confidential manner. Individual personal folders are locked in a filing cabinet and other documentation is stored in an accessible cupboard in the dining room.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to implement the use of an incident book to record significant concerns and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has prepared incident record forms, including body maps, to record any significant concerns. She has also obtained written permission for emergency medical treatment for all minded children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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 all areas of the home are safe for children, including the downstairs toilet

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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 • record and evaluate fire drills to improve practice

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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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