Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348193 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2007 Inspection date Catherine, Louise Sample 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 satisfactory. 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 2007. She lives with her partner and two children, aged five and nine, in a rural location close to Durrington. She uses the ground floor of her house for childminding and has an enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a total of five children at any one time. There are currently five children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about good hygiene practice. They wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and dry them using paper towels to prevent cross infection. They are aware that food that has fallen on the floor is dirty. The childminder reminds them to keep their hands out of their mouths if they are out in the countryside and have been touching

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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 natural materials such as leaves. Children use wet wipes to clean their hands and faces after eating and the table is cleaned after meals. The childminder has a changing mat and bedding for the baby that she cares for and these are not shared with other children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have healthy food and drink. They bring packed lunches or meals to heat up and these are stored safely in the fridge. The childminder is careful to reheat food thoroughly. Children enjoy having fruit as a snack and take part in making fruit salad and smoothies. They have easy access to drinks which are kept out at all times. Children are learning about healthy eating through discussion with the childminder and by trying new healthy foods. There is information about healthy eating displayed in the kitchen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected well from illness and infection. The childminder does not care for children that are unwell and does not take them back until they have been clear of symptoms for 24 hours. Children are protected from the possible health risks associated with the childminder's dog. The dog is regularly treated for fleas and worms and the garden is checked for dog mess before children go out to play. Children have limited contact with the dog which is segregated from them most of the time. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise. They go for walks in the local countryside and go on outings to country parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about how to stay safe. They know that they have to use scissors carefully because they are sharp. The childminder reminds them of safe practice such as not running and not jumping on the furniture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can move about the setting safely due to effective measures. All sockets are covered and hazardous items such as cleaning materials are stored in locked cupboards. The childminder has a detailed plan to ensure children's safety in an emergency. She protects children from potentially dangerous situations and strangers. For example, a child wants to go into the sitting room while a workman is there and the childminder explains that they cannot go in because of the tools.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety outside is ensured through positive measures. The garden is fully enclosed and there are no poisonous plants or standing water that could pose a risk to children. Children hold on to the buggy or the childminder's hand when out walking. She also uses a wrist strap as necessary. Children are learning about road safety when they go out. They have to wait together to cross the road and look out for oncoming traffic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's appropriate understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the possible indicators of abuse such as unexplained bruising and changes in behaviour. She knows what to do if she has concerns about a child. She does not currently make a record of injuries that children have sustained elsewhere.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident. They chat to adults and show them the models they are making. They are proud of their work and a child states that they are going to put their picture on the wall. Children have high self esteem due to the childminder's effective use of praise. She tells children how good their models are and tells a child that she likes their singing. Children are becoming

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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 independent. The childminder offers to make arms and legs for a model but the child states that they can do it themselves. Children have regular opportunities to make choices. They can select which toys they want to play with and the childminder also offers them choices such as which colour play dough they would like.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of age-appropriate activities. They are offered a balance of free play and more structured activities such as play dough and going out to gather natural collage materials. All ages enjoy arts and crafts activities and going out for walks. Children have easy access to a selection of suitable toys which are stored in toy boxes on the floor. These include role play equipment, cars and construction materials. There is a limited range of outdoor play equipment available to encourage children's physical development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children actively contribute to the setting. They tidy toys away and help to prepare fruit salad and smoothies for snack time. They have positive relationships with one another. They chat to each other about monsters and share the play dough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They say please and thank you during lunchtime and a child apologises when they push the glue stick up too far. They are learning to negotiate as one child wants more play dough and another reminds them that they already have some. Children's behaviour is managed well. The childminder has a behaviour management statement which she shares with parents and this includes basic ground rules. She gives clear explanations to children and makes effective use of distraction. She has also started to use a 'thinking stool' for children to reflect on why their behaviour is unacceptable. She uses a reward system to acknowledge good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about wider society. They taste foods from other countries and look at the map of the world which is displayed in the kitchen. They use resources that promote diversity including dressing up clothes and dolls. The childminder plans to further extend the range of resources available to children by acquiring relevant books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met effectively. Parents complete a detailed questionnaire about children's needs which ensures that the childminder is fully aware of any individual requirements. She works with parents to ensure that children with learning difficulties and /or disabilities are cared for appropriately. She follows parental guidance about how to meet children's needs effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective relationship between the childminder and parents. Parents make several visits with their child at the start of the arrangement which allows them to discuss their wishes and the child's needs. The childminder shares information with them through discussion and a written diary. She also gives them an information pack about her childminding service.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised environment. They have plenty of play space in the sitting room and dining room and there is a large garden for outdoor play. Toys are stored in toy boxes on the floor to ensure that children can access them easily. The childminder's home

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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 provides a welcoming environment with displays of the children's work and colourful posters and hangings.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's appropriate training. She has completed the Introduction to Childminding course and has a current first aid qualification. She is planning to attend child protection training later in the year.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is enhanced through the keeping of all necessary records. The childminder is aware of the need to record accidents and medication administered although she has not yet had to do so. She is also aware that she must investigate any parental complaints and keep a record of these. She keeps an attendance register but this is not always completed regularly or kept up to date.

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Organisation

Overall the provider meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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 satisfactory. 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 that the attendance register is completed daily and shows the exact times of children's arrival and departure • increase the range of outdoor toys available to encourage children's physical development

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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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