Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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160865 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2007 Inspection date Doreen Forsyth 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 1998. She lives with her partner and school aged daughter in a three bedroom mid-terraced house in the village of Whitchurch in Hampshire. All of the home is suitable for childminding. Children have access to an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under the age of eight, of these only three may be under the age of five. Currently the childminder cares for six children aged between nine months and eight years old, all on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a pet dog and some fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an active member of the local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder is well able to protect children from infection and take care of them if they have an accident or illness because she follows very good health and hygiene routines and has current first aid training. Children learn well about good health and hygiene practices. They

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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 wash their hands before eating or preparing food and are reminded to wash them after using the toilet. All the necessary records and documentation that help to promote children's health and welfare are well kept and there is a comprehensive sickness policy in place which is given to parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and begin to learn about healthy eating; they can easily access their own drinks throughout the day and younger children are offered regular drinks. Children are provided with an interesting variety of fruit for snacks and older children enjoy preparing fruit for the others. Some snacks that are offered and the children's lunch boxes sometimes include less healthy choices. The childminder provides an evening meal which is usually well balanced.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can rest and sleep according to their needs. At present younger children sleep in their buggies during the afternoon and the childminder uses a travel cot in the spare room for children's rests if necessary. All the children have good opportunities to play outside in the fresh air and take part in physical play activities; they go for walks, visit the play park, attend soft play facilities and play in the childminder's garden. They usually take part in some physical activity each day.

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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 welcoming, safe and child-centred environment. When the childminder is at full capacity, such as during school holidays, the play space is quite limited but the childminder organises the environment well to ensure children can access a good range of activities. Children's safety is well promoted because the childminder is continually risk-assessing and has identified and minimised any potential hazards. Children begin to learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, they know how to evacuate the home in an emergency and are reminded how to use knives safely. Children often play outside in the childminder's front garden; the childminder ensures children are suitably supervised when outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of resources that are suitable to their ages and stage of development. Some toys are stored in a cupboard but most are kept where children can easily access them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and has attended recent training. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and settled with the childminder, they are confident, relaxed and enjoy the company of the other children. The childminder provides children with a very wide range of interesting activities that are planned to help them learn, develop and have fun. During school holidays the childminder organises a timetable of trips, outings and local activities, such as pond dipping, picnics and meetings, with other childminders and their children. The children excitedly discuss the activities they have taken part in.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy learning about nature, they are observing stick insects and are exploring pond life. They use a large range of craft materials, such as modelling with 'salt dough'. All the

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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 children are included in the play activities and are provided with activities that are appropriate to their ages.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to each other and to the childminder. They meet up with other childminders and have very good opportunities to interact with other adults and children. During term time younger children attend toddler and childminding groups with the childminder and sometimes visit the library and toy library. They enjoy books, stories and imaginative play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children particularly enjoy using electronic toys, such as game boys and the play station; the current favourite is the interactive 'Wii' game which helps the children to learn to take turns and co-operate with each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and valued by the childminder, including those that may have learning difficulties or disabilities. The childminder endeavours to meet children's individual needs and she works closely with parents to ensure the well being of all children is promoted. Children benefit from using a very good range of resources that help them to value diversity. These include small world toys, such as the figures in the doll's house, play food, displays, books and puzzles. They learn about their local community through activities, such as visits to the police and fire station and going to the nearby post office.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good strategies to help children to behave appropriately. There is a written behaviour policy in place which the childminder shares with parents. The older children have also written their own house rules. Children's appropriate behaviour is praised and their achievements recognised.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's wellbeing is promoted by the good partnership the childminder builds with parents. She ensures she continually exchanges information with parents about the children's daily activities. For younger children she completes a daily information sheet to give to parents. There is a very informative parent's prospectus which includes information about the policies and procedures that the childminder uses. These include a complaints procedure that complies with current legislation.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised, she has a high regard for the wellbeing of all the children she cares for and positively promotes their learning and development. She is well qualified and has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. The childminder continues to attend training so that she can enhance the provision she provides. All of the necessary documentation that contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing are well kept and securely stored but on the day of inspection the children's attendance was not accurately recorded.

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Organisation

All adults in the home are suitably vetted and the childminder ensures that unvetted adults do not have unsupervised access to minded children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set a recommendation regarding ensuring all adults in the home are appropriately vetted. All adults in the household have been appropriately vetted and are suitable to have access to minded children.

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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 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): • explore ways of promoting healthy eating at all the children's meals and snacks • ensure that the record of children's attendance is always accurately maintained.

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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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