Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY268366 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2007 Inspection date Coral Hales 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 2004. She lives with her husband and their two adult and three younger children aged 13, eight and three in Fareham, Hampshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and bedroom two for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside use.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five, and three children over five before and after school, two of whom are over eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends pop in groups with the children on a regular basis. The family has a cat and a goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well nourished. The childminder shares her good knowledge of healthy eating with the parents, and together they ensure that children have healthy, well balanced meals and snacks, and can always access drinks. Children have good opportunities to begin to understand about healthy foods as they for example, make smoothies and fruit kebabs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs and their daily routines, for example, the baby quickly went off to sleep during the morning and woke refreshed and happy. Children are well protected from infection, for example, effective nappy changing procedures take place, the childminder wears gloves and the children use paper towels. These measures help to prevent cross infection. Children are well taken care of if they have accidents or become ill and effective procedures are in place to keep parents informed. The childminder continues to maintain her first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop healthy lifestyles, as they walk daily to and from school, and when they visit local groups for opportunities to develop and extend their fitness and skills. Very young children practise their walking skills as they use pushchairs and other wheeled toys during their play. Babies are encouraged to explore and learn to control their bodies and enjoy using a good range of toys that successfully promote their development allowing them to make progress.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely in the childminder's home and her good understanding of safety issues ensure that they are well protected from harm. The premises are secure, as doors are kept locked with the keys accessible for emergencies, and the garden is fully enclosed. Children have space to move around the different areas safely, and the childminder makes good use of gates to protect them from stairs and the kitchen. Children begin to learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, they take part in regular fire evacuations, and are encouraged to develop suitable road side practices as they go out and about in the community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children choose from a good variety of toys and resources that are clean and well-maintained. They are able to select independently within a safe environment. The childminder has organised and stored her resources well, whilst being mindful of the safety of the very young ones.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected because the childminder is aware of her responsibilities for the welfare of the children in her care. She has a suitable understanding of child protection issues, she has however, not attended any recent training to update her knowledge. Policies and procedures are in place and these are shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. They enjoy a good range of activities which help to promote their development. Older children develop their creativity and their artwork is displayed around the house. Photographs of children taking part in a good variety of activities are kept in a file and shared with the parents who are regularly updated on children's

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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 progress and achievements. Children have opportunities for free play and to take part in planned activities. They have their own activity files which they can use if they wish and others complete homework or play in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The younger children's learning is successfully promoted and the childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework as a reference point. Babies are encouraged to explore and investigate and the childminder carefully selects equipment that is bright and colourful, for example, interactive and musical toys are used well to promote children's interest and participation. The childminder interacts well with the children and they are confident to approach her for support, or to show her what they doing, for example, together they enjoy playing with the kitchen and chat about a variety of foods. Children's knowledge is effectively extended and language skills well promoted. Children regularly go on outings to socialise, for example, local pop in groups and travel to local attractions to develop their understanding of the wider community. This broadens and expands children's range of experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's sense of belonging is fostered through the warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere and the childminder's dedication to their care and education. She works closely with parents to meet children's individual needs and to ensure they are fully included in all activities. Close and caring relationships have developed and this increases children's sense of trust and helps them to develop their confidence. Children behave well because the childminder has a consistent approach in her management and this teaches them to share, take turns and begin to understand how their behaviour affects others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are discussed with parents in detail. Any special requirements are acknowledged and the childminder has a practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children develop a good awareness of their local environment when they go out on visits and walk around the local community. They learn about the wider world through access to resources that promote positive images of diversity for example, costumes, puzzles and books. Planned activities help them to learn about how others live, for example, they have opportunities to celebrate a range of festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close working relationships that the childminder has established with parents and they regularly exchange information, both in writing and verbally. Parents receive a good introduction to the setting and all the policies and procedures that promote children's welfare and well-being. Written agreements and consents are maintained. A clear complaints policy and procedure is in place and this ensures parents are aware of the system to resolve issues if necessary, however the address of the regulator is not correct.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the effective and efficient organisation and by the childminder's professional attitude to her work. She has completed all required training and is currently completing a level three qualification. Well-written and informative policies and procedures support her practice.

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Organisation

The childminder has an organised approach to maintaining required records. All documentation including comprehensive children's records are effectively managed. Folders containing examples

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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 of children's achievements keep parents well-informed about activities and progress. The premises are well-organised to meet the needs of the children and they benefit significantly from the good use of space within the home and garden which enables them to play happily. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to further develop her documentation to ensure all required consents were maintained, and improvements were to be made to her emergency evacuation plans. She was required to complete an appropriate first aid course and make safe low level glass panels. These recommendations have been met and effectively promote children's safety and welfare.

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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): • develop knowledge of current child protection guidance and ensure that you are able to put the procedures into practice

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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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