Childminder in Portsmouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY222618 Inspection date 09 September 2005 Inspector Alison Jane Williams

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 a registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and two children under eight years old. They live in a three bedroom terraced property in the Copnor area of Portsmouth, close to local shops, schools and the park. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five years old who attends on a part-time basis and one child under eight who attends before and after school. Registration does not include overnight care and the childminder does not employ an assistant.

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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 Children have access to the ground floor of the property, excluding the conservatory and toilet facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two cats and pet two hamsters. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children. She attends a local toddler group and takes children to the park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children eat well. Children and parents are made aware of meal choices available through menu plans and discussion. The childminder provides fresh meals such as roast chicken with carrots and broccoli and frozen and convenience meals such as sausages and chicken nuggets. Children enjoy grapes and other fresh fruit as a healthy snack. They eat a variety of foods because the childminder considers their personal preferences and individual dietary requirements. Children communicate their needs when they are hungry or thirsty and the childminder quickly responds and prepares food or a drink of water. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and physical care and understand why they should wash their hands after toileting and before eating. Nappies are changed on a mat and the childminder wears disposable gloves when changing soiled nappies to protect herself and the children. The procedures and policies for

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Helping children to be healthy

excluding children who are ill do not consistently have regard for other children's health. Children benefit from regular opportunities for physical activity and outdoor play to help them develop a knowledge and awareness of their own bodies. Time spent on play equipment at the park, helps improve their balance and co-ordination. They go for walks around the local area or visit the park daily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and move about the home safely as the childminder supervises them at all times and devices such as smoke alarms and safety gates are in place. However, not all appropriate safety measures have been applied. The glass panels of the conservatory do not meet the British Safety Standard. This could compromise children’s safety when playing in the garden. Children learn about how to stay safe. They know that they should not play upstairs or touch the cooker as they could get burnt and that they must find a safe place to cross the road. Younger children are always strapped in the buggy and older children must hold hands or onto the buggy when out walking. Children are only taken to places and areas the childminder has knowledge of. They are able to access toys safely from a wooden trunk in the front

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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 room, developing their independence and allowing them freedom of choice. Children are protected from harm or neglect as the childminder has a suitable understanding of child protection procedures and would recognise the possible signs of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and well cared for in the childminder's home. They make themselves at home. They visit the bathroom independently and make their own choices from the range of activities available. They are interested in a limited range of developmentally appropriate play opportunities, including drawing and colouring, building and construction, make believe play and physical play. Older children play independently and are involved in complex imaginative play with Lego dragon sets. They enjoy the time at the end of the school day when they can relax or be active in accordance with their needs and interests. They can play or watch television. Younger children are developing an understanding of shape and colour recognition through use of electronic learning toys. They have regular opportunities to interact and socialise with other children and adults through weekly visits to a local toddler

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy regular walks to Baffins Pond to feed the ducks. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the local community through visits to the shops and the park. Children's awareness of the wider world is limited. They are not provided with a suitable range of resources and activities to promote a view of diversity. Children feel valued and are treated as individuals. They enjoy eating and drinking from their own special 'Winnie the Pooh' plate and teddy bear training cup. Younger children who have difficulty gripping a pen or are provided with chunky pens to enable them to participate in colouring activities. Children feel secure and have a sense of belonging as the childminder is consistent and follows familiar routines from home. The childminder has established positive relationships with parents. They liaise closely to ensure children's individual needs are meet. Parents are happy with the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

care provided and have ample opportunity to discuss and resolve any issues or concerns.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel settled, happy and relaxed in the childminder's home. They enjoy positive relationships with the childminder and are treated as part of the family. The childminder meets the individual needs of the children who attend. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home and kept informed of their children's care through regular discussion. However, parents have not been advised of the implications for their children of a potentially infectious illness. Documentation required under the National Standards is maintained and records relating to children are kept confidential. The childminder has a basic knowledge of first aid. Her first aid certificate has expired and she has not booked on a course to renew it.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last Children Act inspection made recommendations to enhance the provision of resources to reflect and promote equality of opportunity and to ensure written parental consent is obtained to seek emergency medical advice and treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Some improvement has been made to address the first recommendation. Resources, which reflect diversity are still limited. However, children can now play a picture game which includes images of disability and ethnicity and a bus with small figures from different ethnic backgrounds has been added to the resources in the toy box. Relevant written parental consent is now in place to ensure the childminder respects their wishes at all times.

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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 satisfactory. 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 the policy for the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious is

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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 consistently implemented • ensure low-level glass panels are made safe or inaccessible to children • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children

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The quality and standards of the care

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

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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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