Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY217859 Unique Reference Number 05 July 2007 Inspection date Coral Hales 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 2002 and is a qualified and experienced practitioner and is a network childminder. She lives with her partner and two children aged 14 and six years in Yateley, Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five during the day, and two children over five before and after school. She drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop an awareness of good health and hygiene because the childminder ensures that they take part in regular routines. They are encouraged to become independent in their practices and the childminder ensures that babies needs are met. Children receive appropriate

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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 care in the event of an accident as the childminder has a current first aid certificate and all required consents are in place. Suitable systems are in place if children become unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and are provided with a good selection of healthy foods and drinks throughout the day, for example, they enjoy fruit, yoghurt and a ham sandwich during the visit. Nutritious home cooked evening meals are provided after school, for example, chicken, potatoes and vegetables. The babies dietary needs are met well as the parents provide all meals. The childminder encourages them to become independent and they enjoy trying to feed themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a good range of activities which contribute to their health and this enables them to develop their physical skills. Outside facilities give them a sense of freedom as they play happily on the large equipment, use the wheeled toys and generally have fun in the fresh air. Walks around the local community encourages children's enjoyment of being outside.

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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 home where most potential risks are identified and minimised to make the environment safe and secure. Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place and the fire procedure is made available to parents. However, children have not practised an emergency evacuation to ensure they are aware of what to do in the event of a fire. A written risk assessment is in place, however, this does not include the outside area, the large trampoline or the on-site swimming pool. They begin to learn about taking care of themselves when out in the community because the childminder is teaching them simple road-side practices. At home they are learning, for example, to keep small pieces out of the reach of the baby.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a wide variety of good quality equipment, appropriate to their age and stage of development. Toys and resources are updated and added to when necessary and all are suitably and safely stored. Babies are encouraged to explore their surroundings and the childminder selects equipment that is bright and colourful to interest them. Close supervision ensures they are kept safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder is aware of her responsibilities for the welfare of the children in her care. Comprehensive policies and procedures which refer to new guidance are in place and these are shared with parents. The childminder has attended additional training to further develop her knowledge of child protection issues and is able to follow the procedures if she has any 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 are happy and settled with the childminder who consistently interacts and chats to them as they play. They move freely within the premises to use the resources on offer in the different rooms. They begin to expand their concentration levels as they play and the childminder introduces them to, for example, colours and numbers as they use the game boy or the computer. The childminder has a good understanding of the Birth to three matters framework which she uses as a point of reference when she plans for the under threes. Children achieve well because the childminder uses her good knowledge of child development to offer good quality activities and good interaction has developed between them. The children go to her for cuddles and are confident to approach her for support or to tell her what they are doing. Children enjoy each others company and play really well together. Their independence is fostered as they make

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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 their own choices and begin to make decisions. Children regularly go on outings to socialise with a variety of children and this helps to broaden their range of experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive appropriate care according to their needs because the childminder knows them well and routines are followed as discussed with parents. Children are at home with the childminder who provides a warm and caring environment. They are gaining self-assurance and confidence and are aware of their own needs and begin to be aware of the needs of others. Children begin to understand their own community and are becoming aware of the wider world through discussion, books and resources that promote positive images of diversity. The childminder has previous experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is confident to judge how well individual children's needs can be met within existing routines. All children are included in planned activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave generally well and begin to accept the boundaries set by the childminder who has a calm manner when she deals with any issues. Written policies and procedures are in place for behaviour management and these are shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Children benefit from the friendly relationships that have developed and this successful partnership enhances children's care and welfare. The complaints policy and procedure is in place and this ensures parents are aware of the system to resolve issues if necessary. Written agreements are in place and this means that all are clear with regard to their roles and responsibilities. Parents feedback is complementary and positive. The childminder has recently been given an award for Excellence in Childminding following a nomination by one of her parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the effective and efficient organisation and by the childminders professional attitude to her work. Informative policies and procedures support her practice and all documentation including children's records are effectively maintained and managed. Space is organised in an effective manner and all resources meet the children's differing requirements. The childminder's portfolio shows her commitment to providing good quality care for children and their families. This contains well written policies and procedures that show her good knowledge of the National Standards. Regular discussions with parents take place to allow information to be exchanged to ensure children's needs are met and their wishes are respected. This ensures continuity of care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to review and update her documentation to ensure all required consents were in place. This recommendation has been met and ensures that children's safety and welfare is promoted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 that children take part in fire safety evacuations so that they know the correct procedure to follow in an emergency. Further develop the risk assessment document to ensure the outside area is included including the trampoline and outdoor swimming pool.

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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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