Pollard, Abigail

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY253928 Inspection date 19 October 2005 Inspector Debbie Davies

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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 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 two children aged three and a half and six months in Hook, Hampshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight. However, she also minds older children. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder attends the local parent toddler group. The family have a cat.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is a qualified nursery nurse (NNEB).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminders good understanding of healthy eating. They have an excellent range of home cooked meals and have regular drinks, which enhances their awareness of the importance of eating a nutritious and well balanced diet in order to keep a healthy mind. Children enjoy regular planned physical activities, which contribute to their good health. For example, they walk to and from school on a regular basis and visit the local park. The childminder makes good use of the Top Tots course she attended, sponsored by the Youth Sports Trust, to plan activities that make children aware of their bodies, space and games that make them move. These activities help to promote children's physical development and their well-being. Children enjoy a clean and well-maintained home as the childminder has a good awareness of hygiene issues. Children develop their self-care skills by willingly

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Helping children to be healthy

washing their hands before eating, after using the toilet and by using tissues when necessary. This shows that they have a good understanding of simple health and hygiene practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is child friendly and welcoming to children who can see their artwork displayed in the lounge creating a sense of belonging. Children use the available space well ensuring that babies have a safe place to roll, crawl and sit. The childminder gives high priority to checking resources to ensure they are safe, enabling children to independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. The childminder demonstrates clear and consistent boundaries and reasonable expectations, which encourages children to discover boundary limits and learn about how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know that if the smoke alarm goes off they must stop what they are doing and listen to further instructions. They are aware of the dangers and hazards of leaving their school bags at the bottom of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

stairs or blocking exit doors. Younger children are learning road safety as older children are setting good examples by being good role models. As a result, the well-being of children is effective. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues in relation to the signs of abuse, however, she does need to further her knowledge of the correct procedures to follow if there are any concerns for children's well-being.

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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 outstanding. Babies are becoming more mobile and are using their senses to explore good quality equipment placed at low levels. They are engrossed in a good range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate activities, which provide high levels of stimulation. Resources in the treasure box encourage children to touch and feel objects such as fur, silk, wood, metal, beads and shells. Babies create and listen to the sounds of chimes, pulsating lights and calm relaxing music by touching the mobile activity centre allowing them to explore and investigate. The childminder has an excellent and calm rapport with the babies. For example, when searching in the treasure box for objects she talks about their findings. She encourages pre-verbal babies to develop language skills by talking about the texture and colours. Children develop confidence and a strong sense of self through these positive interactions with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder. Older children enjoy role-play and have a great deal of equipment to support their imaginations. They have the opportunity of attending music class where they gain an appreciation of pulse and rhythms. The childminder engages children in spontaneous activities such as putting her car through a car wash after watching a programme about this. Children enjoy visiting Marwell Zoo as they like going to see the giraffes. Pens and paper are readily available allowing children to sketch and colour their 'real life' drawings. If children do not want to do this, she takes photographs of the animals so they can still capture their experiences, which enables them to make their pictures at home. These innovative experiences make children feel valued and motivated. The childminder is a highly skilled and experienced practitioner who consistently gives her utmost to children's learning experiences and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children behave well as they learn to consider others. The childminder is firm and uses distraction and time out. She praises and rewards good behaviour and ignores the bad unless it is dangerous to others. She believes that if you expect children to behave well then they will try to live up to your expectations. She sets clear fair boundaries for all children, appropriate to their age and ability. Children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them. The childminder plans activities and visits within the local community and places of interest such as garden centres, bus and train trips, toddler group and visits to Birdworld. They frequently have the opportunity to learn about different countries and festivals and benefit from sampling food from different cultures, which extends children's knowledge of other cultures. Children’s well-being is very effective as the childminder has an excellent partnership

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with parents. Prior to children starting parents give full details of their child’s routines, interests and needs to ensure they settle well. The childminder exchanges

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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 information on a daily basis and maintains daily diaries for younger children, to include photographs of their children. This comprehensive procedure ensures that all parties receive information about their child's progress and development, working together to meet children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She organises her childminding effectively to ensure children have and enjoy a well-balanced day. Children benefit from a bright, cheerful and welcoming environment, creating a sense of belonging. Policies and procedures promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. The childminder understands the importance of maintaining documentation and confidentiality. All documentation, which is legally required, is in place and maintained appropriately. However, parents have not been given full details of how to contact Ofsted and the complaints procedure. Children's achievements and learning experiences is significantly enhanced by the childminder who consistently strives to improve her knowledge and understanding by attending relevant training courses.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that the necessary details be recorded in the register and consent to be obtained from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder now has all relevant documentation in place, ensuring that the well-being of children is safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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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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): • increase knowledge of child protection procedures • ensure that parents are fully informed of your complaints procedure and how to contact Ofsted.

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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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