Raven, Della

Inspection report for early years provision

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155661 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2007 Inspection date Jenny Scarlett 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children under eight years. They live in a house in Pamber Heath near the village of Tadley in Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor and an up-stairs bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years on a part time basis. The family have 3 pet cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children develop an excellent awareness of their own needs. They are developing independence in their personal care, such as washing their hands and using the toilet independently. Each child has their own towel and flannel which prevents the spread of infection. Excellent procedures such as the regular washing of toys and equipment sustain the high levels of hygiene. Children clearly understand good hygiene practises, for example, pre-warning the childminder they need

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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 a tissue because they are going to sneeze. There are excellent strategies in place to protect the health of all the children. These include the provision of informative guidance for parents about infection control which form part of the policy for sick children. The childminder has completed a first course. This means appropriate action is taken to care for the children in the event of an accident to safeguard their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are aware drinks are freely available and each child has their own individual cup. Children enjoy a combination of freshly prepared meals and packed lunches by the childminder and their parents. Menus are produced to give parents information about meal choices and healthy eating. Children clearly understand the benefits of a healthy diet as they choose snacks such as raisins and cheerios during the morning. Children enjoy the social contact at meal times and are given time to finish their food in a relaxed and calm environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to be active in line with their individual needs and parents' wishes. They benefit from excellent opportunities to develop their physical skills such as walks in the locality, visits to places of interest and outdoor play in the garden. Children learn about nature and the world around them as they plan and prepare activities to explore the garden for a bug hunt.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from the welcoming environment. Activities are planned for the children and a varied range of resources are readily available to enable the children to settle quickly on arrival. All toys and resources are clean, safe and in very good condition. Children play happily under the supervision of the childminder with a varied range of child initiated and planned activities. The childminder has access to membership of the toy library in order to provide additional toys and resources, such as puppets with facial expressions depicting different emotions. These provide additional activities which enhance and extend children's play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The indoor and outdoor environment is safe and secure because the childminder identifies potential risks and does her utmost to minimise them. Children's safety is a priority in this setting and the childminder remains vigilant to see this is maintained. For example, thorough risk assessments are carried out in all areas of the home, including the toys and resources that are used and the garden. Emergency evacuation procedures are planned and practiced regularly. This ensures children are familiar with the routine and emergency exits when evacuating the premises in a crisis. Good procedures are in place to ensure children are safe on outings. The childminder keeps an envelope in the car with relevant emergency details of the children and a list of who to contact should she be unconscious.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted well because the childminder understands her role in protecting children. She has clear policies and procedures in place that inform parents and carers of her responsibility to safeguard children in her care. However, the childminder has not given due consideration to how she would protect herself and family members from allegations of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are confident in their environment. They arrive happily and show an eagerness to take part in all activities. The childminder has excellent relationships with the children, who play an active part in the setting. They show immense enthusiasm as they make independent choices and initiate their own activities such as building with duplo and planning games. Excellent

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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 planning of activities is in place. This demonstrates an extensive range of structured activities but allows for flexibility with regards to children's feelings, likes and interests. Achievement records completed monitor children's individual progress and helps the childminder identify the next steps of the child's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the individual development needs of the children. She helps them to focus on activities such as puzzles, helping children to identify whether Eskimos or footballers wear shorts. Children's language and understanding is developing well as children use their imagination using puppets with different facial expressions. They discuss with the childminder things that make them sad or angry and explore facial expressions and the differences of a sad face and an angry face. Children say what makes them happy, for example riding the tractor and feeding the deer at the farm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very tuned into the needs of the children taking into consideration some of the children's reactions when encouraging them to share and take turns in board games. Some children enjoy quieter activities and ask for a cuddle and a story. The childminder responds to the needs of the younger children. She acknowledges they are tired after their exciting outing to Bucklebury Farm Park the day before, and, as a result, provides them with quieter activities whilst providing support and encouragement to meet their needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children are happy settled, and thoroughly enjoy their time in the setting. They are confident, interested and able to participate in activities, independently such as imaginary play or when playing with puzzles and board games. They have excellent opportunities to explore the outdoor environment with outings within the community and local places of interest. The childminder plans these activities well using them effectively to extend children's learning. Children take part in active and quiet activities, structured and unplanned which allows for spontaneity variety and interest in their day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children receive praise in their work and play helping build their self-esteem and confidence. They show a well-developed respect for others in the setting. Children demonstrate good manners, share resources and take turns. Their needs are met effectively through the childminder's sensitive and appropriate interactions that promote their self- esteem. Excellent positive relationships are evident between the childminder and the children. The childminder's own family embrace the minded children into the family home providing them with a sense of security and belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an excellent understanding of their own needs and those of others through excellent example. Children see pictures of other lifestyles, play with a varied range of resources that reflect diversity and both boys and girls have equal access to all resources. The childminder uses the toy library to borrow additional resources particularly those reflecting emotions, cultures and diversity. This enables the children to explore varied customs and feelings and aids their understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent. A display of positive behaviour ground rules promotes acceptable behaviour and manners for the children. This encourages children to share responsibility for the development of the safety, health and care routines. Children know right from wrong and understand the need to share and take turns. All children are able to fully participate in the setting because activities are adapted to their individual needs. Resources

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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 are accessible to all children to enable them to make independent choices in choosing and selecting their own resources and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent partnership with parents. Relationships between parents and the childminder are honest, open and friendly. This helps ensure children are settled and secure. Parents receive regular information about the setting and their child's progress, for example, a welcome pack, progress information, photos and displays of children's work. The childminder is sensitive and considerate to the needs of to the children and their parents and strives to build trusting relationships, which promote the child's well being and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's experience and effective organisation. The children are relaxed and very at ease in the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate their own play and learning. The childminder manages her time well, planning an extensive range of purposeful play opportunities for the children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to updating her knowledge and skills in childcare through regular training such as First Aid, Food and Hygiene and the Common Assessment Framework. This demonstrates her commitment to providing good quality childcare. She regularly meets with other childminders to share good practice. This ensures the care of the children is consistent. Records are maintained promoting the children's safety, welfare and learning. She ensures that she maintains ratios at all times and keeps a good register of children's attendance. The registration certificate is displayed to show parents that she complies with registration requirements. All relevant information is recorded, demonstrating that children are provided with a stimulating environment to challenge and enhance their development. However, the child protection procedures lack some detail.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to implement an action plan detailing how she will ensure that all relevant documentation relating to the minded children is maintained, to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times and to up-date first aid training by undertaking and passing an appropriate course.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has reviewed and implemented policies, procedures and documentation relating to the childminding business. These are maintained in appropriate and accessible files and made available for inspection. This means the childminder has a secure knowledge of the National Standards for Childminding and, as a result, the efficient and safe management of the provision to promote the welfare, care and learning of all children. The childminder has completed a first course. This means appropriate action is taken to care for the children in the event of an accident to safeguard their well-being.

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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. The provider is

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Complaints 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 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): • further develop procedures to protect oneself and the family from allegations of abuse.

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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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