Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY278985 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2007 Inspection date Lilyanne Taylor 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 2004. She lives with her two school age children, in a semi-detached house in a residential area of Southsea, Portsmouth. All rooms are suitable for childminding. However, the childminder chooses to care for children mainly on the ground floor. A fully secure garden to the rear of the property is available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has three children on roll; of these one attends full-time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from the spread of germs and infection through the effective procedures and practices the childminder has in place. All areas of the home accessed by children are clean and work and eating surfaces are cleaned prior to and after use. Children become aware of their own personal hygiene through daily routines; they are carefully reminded to wash their hands after toileting and prior to eating, using individual towels to dry them. Younger children have their hands and face wiped with a baby-wipe by the childminder.

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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 Appropriate procedures are in place for dealing with injuries; the childminder has a current first aid certificate and she seeks permission from parents so that emergency first aid or medical advice can be sought. However, she does not ensure sufficient detail is recorded so it is clear to see the name of the child permission has been sought for. As a result this may delay children receiving appropriate treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from illness; the childminder shares with parents her policy that states if children are ill they do not attend. Appropriate systems are in place should the childminder be requested to administer any medication to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied selection of nutritious home cooked meals and snacks. Snacks consist of fresh fruit and main meals are prepared from scratch using fresh meat, poultry and vegetables. All comply with children's individual dietary requirements. Children have free access to drinks throughout the day, which ensures they do not go thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures children have regular opportunities to be out in the fresh air each day so they experience and enjoy a range of outdoor activities which aids their physical development. For example, they have access to equipment, such as ride on toys and a low level climbing frame and slide in the rear garden, are taken on walks around the local area visiting the local play parks, sea front, beaches and canoe lake.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a secure environment which enables them to move around freely. They are constantly supervised and the childminder carries out a risk assessment of all areas children have access to which ensures they are kept safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Parental permission is sought to take children out of the home either for walks or in a vehicle. Sleeping children are kept safe; the childminder carries out frequent visual checks and a baby monitor, situated in the downstairs room where the childminder is, enables her to hear if a child wakes or disturbs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carefully organises resources and play equipment; she takes into account the ages of children being cared for and stores equipment accordingly. Younger children's toys are kept at a low level and all equipment and toys are checked as used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In the event of a fire all children are able to exit the premises safely; the childminder ensures the emergency evacuation procedures are discussed and practised by all children. The childminder keeps a record of children attending each day so it is clear to see the actual time they are in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures in place to cover the childminder's absence in the event of an emergency or in the event of a child not being collected ensure children are kept safe. Systems in place ensure children are only collected by persons their parents have authorised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected through the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues and her responsibilities for ensuring the well-being of children are safeguarded. Parents are informed of the procedures the childminder would follow should she have any concerns regarding their children's well-being, and the childminder is fully aware of the procedures she should follow should an allegation be made against herself or other members of the household.

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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 good. Children are happy, settled and relaxed in the company of the childminder. They thoroughly enjoy their time at this setting and have a good relationship with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's interests are responded to because the childminder finds out what they like doing best; she observes children while they play and provides further activities for them based on her observations and their interests. Children respond well to the praise they are given in recognition of their achievements which raises their confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder interacts with the children well, which extends their learning and sustains their interests. For example, while making an alphabet jigsaw the childminder encourages children to find the right pieces by looking for the appropriate letters; once found she gets them to spell the word the letter represents. When the jigsaw is completed she joins in with the children singing the ABC song. While having snacks the childminder talks to children about the types of fruit they are eating getting them to identify the colours, and explains to them that if they put two halves of fruit together they have a whole one. Children are appropriately challenged as the childminder provides toys that are suitable for their individual ages and stages of development; consequently, children enjoy what they are doing and have fun.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play well together; they share, take turns and make friendships with one another.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children become aware of how to socialise with other children and adults when they go on outings alongside another childminder and her minded children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are included and valued as individuals. The childminder treats all children equally and they are made to feel part of the family. Children are able to make their own choices of activities from the range of resources available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of the boundaries and behavioural expectations of the setting through the clear and consistent guidance they receive, which is appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good rapport and working relationship the childminder establishes with parents. She obtains information from them about their child's needs which contributes significantly to their well-being. The effective two way sharing of information on a daily basis ensures children are provided with continuity of care, appropriately supported and their individual needs met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

New children feel welcomed and secure. They are able to attend pre-visits with their parents so they get to know the childminder and the environment in which they will be cared for. The childminder explains to parents the operational procedures of the provision and shares and agrees with them some of the policies and procedures she works to which ensures the child's transition from home to the childminder's is smooth.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are informed of the procedures they should follow if they have any views or concerns about the provision or the care of their children; procedures the childminder has in place to deal with any such complaints ensure they would be dealt with and responded to within the

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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 set timescale. However, a system to record complaints, should they be received, has not yet been developed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable happy and relaxed in a well organised and stimulating environment. Indoor and outdoor play space is used flexibly to maximise children's play opportunities.

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Organisation

Children are well cared for by a childminder who is suitably qualified and experienced; she has knowledge of first aid and attends training to ensure her knowledge of childcare and child development remain up-to-date.

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Organisation

The childminder's constant supervision ensures children are kept safe and protects them from persons that have not been vetted. Systems in place to cover her absence ensure children are only cared for by adults that are suitable to be working with children under the age of eight years.

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Organisation

Most procedures and policies in place effectively contribute to children's health, safety and well-being. The childminder displays her registration certificate so it is clear for parents to see how many children under eight years may be cared for at anyone time. In addition to this an Ofsted poster displayed informs parents how they can contact the regulatory body direct should they wish to express any views or concerns of the provision. Records maintained show the actual hours children are in attendance.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware the information she holds about the children is confidential so is careful to keep it safe; each child has their own individual folder that contains their personal details and written agreements that the childminder has with their parents.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote cultural diversity, ethnicity and disability; ensure documentation including records and policies and procedures, which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision and the promotion of children's welfare, are appropriately maintained and shared with parents; and make safe potential hazards such as plants, chemicals and electrical appliances.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The action the childminder has taken in addressing these issues has significantly improved the outcomes for children in all areas.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now have access to a range of resources that raise their awareness of the world around them. For example, they have a selection of books and small world play items that show diversity and disability. The childminder has reviewed her documentation and most documentation that is required is now in place, though some lack sufficient detail and this has been further recommended at this inspection. Through her risk assessments the childminder has taken appropriate action to ensure all areas children access are safe and free from hazards; all indoor plants have been removed, chemicals are now stored in high level cupboards and trailing wires from electrical appliances are now securely fixed to the wall and out of children's reach.

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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 may 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 the permission to seek emergency treatment/ advice that is obtained for children contains sufficient detail • devise a system for recording complaints that may be received from parents

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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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