Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348637 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2007 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood 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 husband on one daughter aged 20 months in Aldershot, Hampshire. The premises is near to local toddler groups and parks. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time. There are currently no children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. From discussion, the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating. She gives parents the choice about food provision and is happy to provide all meals for children she looks after in the future. The childminder has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding children's medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies. She demonstrates a clear understanding of how children’s good health is promoted. For example, she describes how children would learn about personal hygiene through normal daily routines, where they use their own towel and liquid soap when washing their hands. There are systems in place to

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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 record details of accidents and medication administration, including parental consent for children to receive medicine and emergency medical treatment. Documentation shows that the childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of the opportunities she needs to provide for children to develop physical skills. She would take children to local parks where they could use resources such as the swings, climbing frame and see saw.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has taken most necessary action to ensure that risks within her home have been minimised, so that children can play safely. Safety gates are used on the stairs and at the dining room doorway, and a low level glass cabinet has been fitted with protective film. However, low sheds in the garden are not kept locked at all times. This is a safety risk if children play outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are working smoke alarms on each level of the home and a fire blanket is available in the kitchen. Children would be kept safe when travelling in the childminder's car, because she has appropriate safety seating that meets current regulations, would ensure children are strapped in appropriately and has systems in place to obtain written consent from parents. There is a range of safe well maintained play equipment available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder can clearly say how she would keep children safe when walking on local outings and how she would help children to learn about their own safety. For example, by ensuring children hold onto the buggy or her hand, to walk on the inside of the pavement, learn not to run ahead, and to look each way before crossing the road together. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder understands the procedures for recording and reporting any child protection concerns and has all current documentation available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder can clearly explain how she supports children’s learning through a range of play experiences, both inside and outside her home. She provides children with activities at home such as cooking, playdough, drawing and outings to the park. They make butterflies, play in the sand pit in the childminders garden, visit the library, play musical instruments, and dance. Children who previously attended have enjoyed using the playpen as a 'den'. The childminder has an art and craft box, so that older children can choose what creative activities they want to do. She helps children learn a few words in French, and provides opportunities for them to listen to French and classical music. The childminder restricts the use of the television.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Play resources are organised in a manner which helps to promote children’s free choice. They are of good quality and easily accessible in well organised drawers in the sitting room. The childminder talks about how she encourages children’s language through reading stores and learning the alphabet. She helps them develop counting skills using spontaneous opportunities throughout the day as well as when they are using the resources such as the bricks. The childminder is committed to taking children on outings, provided it meets their individual needs and there is sufficient time during the hours they attend.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder forms good relationships with children. She describes how children who were previously attending, used to run into her arms when she collected them from pre-school. She has a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages. The childminder has a positive approach to managing any potentially difficult behaviour which includes time out, calming children down, giving them space to think, and helping them learn right from wrong through clear explanation. In addition, she feels it is important to find out the reason for the behaviour and distract younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of how children would benefit from the friendly relationships that she forms with parents. She has systems in place, such as a daily diary, to record information about each child's day and contract agreements with parents, to record their individual needs. The childminder is happy to look after children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and would seek information and training to support her care of children. The childminder has a few books which reflect people from different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, although she does not currently have any resources, which enable children to develop a positive attitude towards different religions, gender and disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder uses the downstairs rooms of her home only for childminding. Children have space to play in the sitting room and dining room which means they can move around freely, and find their own play equipment. In addition, children would benefit from being able to make regular use of the garden and the opportunity to choose to play inside or outside. The childminder has looked after children since registration, however, she currently has no children on roll. There are systems in place to record the hours of children's attendance. For example, details are identified on parent contract agreements and there is a diary to record daily attendance. However, this has not consistently been completed each day, for children who previously attended. In addition, there is no system in place to record any complaints. There is a range of written policies and procedures. These would be shared regularly with parents to

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Organisation

keep them informed about the service and their child's activities. Evidence suggests the needs of all children would be met.

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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. 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

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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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): • keep low level sheds in the garden locked • improve the range of accessible resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender, religion and disability • ensure children's daily arrival and departure times are consistently recorded and devise a system to record any complaints

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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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