Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY285689 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Nikki Whinton Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in May 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and eight years in Tidworth, Hampshire. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five minded children at any one time and is currently caring for four children, of whom two attend on a full-time basis. She walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group. The family has a budgerigar and a tank of fish.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children lead a very healthy lifestyle whilst in the childminder's care and have frequent opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They walk to local schools and pre-schools, attend

p.2

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 carer and toddler groups and visit the nearby play park on a daily basis. In addition, children play in the childminder's garden where they can explore age appropriate equipment within a safe and secure environment.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy food options through the good variety of nutritious snacks that they enjoy as part of the daily routine. Menus are displayed for parents. Children are encouraged to try new foods, such as cherries or blackberries and thus increase their appreciation of food tastes. Any dietary issues or allergies are discussed with parents as part of the registration process. These discussions are recorded and any needs met. Meals provided by parents are correctly stored. Children are regularly offered drinks, which helps to ensure they consume liquids in sufficient quantities to meet their differing requirements.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their understanding of good hygiene practices as part of the daily routine. Even the youngest children are shown how to wash their hands before eating their snack. Older children dry their hands on individual hand towels that are placed on named low-level coat hooks. Such strategies help to reduce the risk of cross contamination whilst encouraging children's independence and name recognition skills. There is a range of measures in place to support the children's good health. The childminder's sick child policy is shared with parents at registration and written permission has been obtained to apply sun cream or for seeking emergency medical treatment. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of first aid, her use of hygienic nappy changing strategies and her awareness of the correct administrative procedures to follow if accidents occur. However, whilst written parental permission is always

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

obtained to give medication, parents do not sign the record book to acknowledge when medicines have been given. As a result, children may be put at risk.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has children's safety as her first priority. Children play and rest within premises that are well maintained and very clean. Children's labelled artwork in the entrance porch creates welcoming displays for parents. There is a designated bedroom to enable children to have uninterrupted sleep. There is an extensive range of measures in place to help keep children safe and reduce the chance of accidents. For example, written risk assessments are completed on a regular basis, fire drills are practised, smoke detectors are regularly checked, the premises are secure, a gate prevents children accessing the stairs unsupervised and hazardous materials are inaccessible to children. In addition, the childminder has a secure understanding of additional safety issues when taking children on outings. Children learn road safety drills, parents are supplied with emergency contact cards, children wear emergency contact wristbands when on

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

outings and a portable first aid kit is always available.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a wide selection of clean, well maintained and age appropriate resources. They benefit from the childminder's secure knowledge of safety issues concerning the purchase and ongoing maintenance of equipment. As a result, children are able to self-select from a good range of safe, suitable toys that help to support their development and learning.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is promoted by a childminder that has a secure understanding of child protection issues, confidentiality of information and the correct procedures to follow if concerned about the welfare of a child. There are comprehensive arrangements in place for ensuring parents are fully aware of the provider's child protection responsibilities, prior to a child commencing in the setting.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children appear relaxed, settled and content within the environment. Even the youngest non-mobile children are able to make choices regarding the resources and activities they wish to explore. Children have a genuinely warm, close relationship with the childminder and approach her willingly for hugs and companionship.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a varied programme of structured and free choice opportunities. For example, they make gingerbread men, plant and tend vegetables in the garden, engage in role-play and enjoy a variety of art and craft activities. The childminder undertakes observations of the younger children within the setting, which she uses to complete 'Tracker Book' assessments that are linked to the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in an interesting variety of local outings, such as to Finkley Down Farm, Jungle Jungle, Archie's World and the nearby library. Such opportunities enable children to gain a greater awareness of the area in which they live.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Each child is respected and treated as a valued individual. Children attending with additional needs, receive high quality support to ensure their full integration in the setting and to promote their learning and development. All children greatly benefit from the childminder knowing them extremely well, realising their differing needs and from understanding their varying home circumstances. For example, a world map in the kitchen decorated with family photographs, indicates where children's parents are currently serving abroad in the armed forces. The giant 'Chuff Chart' calendar shows when their parents will be returning home and is coloured in by the children as part of their daily routine. Children play with a good range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity. They dip eggs in paint whilst making German Easter Trees, create paper lanterns as part of Diwali celebrations and eat vegetables with chopsticks during a topic

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

on Chinese New Year. Such imaginative opportunities help children to gain an awareness of the wider world.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is supported by a childminder that has a secure understanding of positive age appropriate strategies for encouraging appropriate behaviour. Techniques are discussed with parents as part of the registration process. As a result, children start to gain an awareness of right and wrong whilst in the childminder's care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a very positive partnership between parents and the childminder. They are given comprehensive written information about the provision and its policies and procedures prior to a child commencing in the setting. Parents are kept up-to-date with children's progress and their daily routine through the planning chart displayed in the entrance porch, the 'Tracker Books' and each child's daily journal. The childminder encourages parents to complete six monthly questionnaires regarding the quality of her provision, which she uses to develop further her practice. In addition, there are regular informal opportunities to discuss children's achievements or any care issues. These strategies help to ensure a consistency of approach between home and the provision.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is a skilled, enthusiastic early years practitioner. She regularly attends training opportunities and is currently undertaking targeted vocational courses to enhance her professional development.

p.5

Organisation

The provision is well arranged. For example, children are able to select resources for themselves, there is a designated bedroom for the minded children to use and the positioning of towel hooks at children's height encourages their independence. All legally required documentation is correctly maintained and securely stored. Precise records are kept of children's daily attendance and their personal information sheets are easily accessible to support their care. However, vehicle documentation is not always available for inspection.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection the childminder was given one recommendation to help develop the quality of the provision. This referred to ensuring children have access to resources and activities reflecting equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Children now have access to a wide range of resources and activities reflecting equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. This improvement has had a positive impact on the quality of care offered to the children.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 parents sign the record book to acknowledge when children are given medication.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6