Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY254042 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Anne Jacqueline Nicholson 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 2003. She lives with her husband, who is also a childminder, and her two school aged children. She lives in a residential area within easy driving distance of Ash Vale, Aldershot, Farnborough and Farnham. Childminding occurs on the ground floor. Overnight care is available for a maximum of two children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently co-minding seventeen children who attend on both a part-time and full-time basis. The childminder is within walking and driving distance of local schools and takes and collects children from these and local nurseries. The childminder regularly attends local parent and toddler groups and the local childminding group. The family has three guinea pigs in an outside hutch. The childminder is an active member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA)

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children participate in regular activities that support their healthy development. They enjoy physical opportunities, for instance, walking along the canal path, going to local parks and playing in the garden. Their need for periods of relaxation and rest is met and children go down for their sleep with minimal fuss.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children gain an understanding of good personal hygiene practices. They wash their hands with soap and water before food and after messy play, using paper hand towels to dry them before placing them in the nearby bin. When outside or on outings to prevent cross infection they use hand gel for convenience. The childminder has recently renewed her paediatric first aid certificate to ensure that children receive appropriate treatment when hurt. She clearly records details of any accidents and incidents in her documentation and requests that parents read and acknowledge these with a signature. There are comprehensive policies in place ensuring that sick children do not attend and medication is only given with prior written consent.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Parents supply written and verbal information about their children's individual dietary needs. The childminder has experience of providing meals for children who eat Halal food, vegetarian meals, who do not eat pork and of supporting those participating on elimination diets to identify food intolerances. She provides a variety of home cooked meals throughout the week following a written monthly menu that she displays on the fridge. Children receive encouragement to participate in the planning by contributing their likes and dislikes. They enjoy going to the local shops to purchase the burgers and other ingredients to make their lunch. Everyone sits together around the dining table or outside table to eat. The childminder encourages good table manners and encourages children to talk and socialise with each other.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children receive care in a light and welcoming environment, where they can easily access a wide range of resources for themselves from boxes and of shelving. The available space is effectively divided allowing both younger and older children to have their own space to play. Children can move around independently between the lounge, dining area and conservatory whilst playing. The co-childminder takes responsibility to routinely check the environment before children arrive, to ensure potential hazards are identified and minimised. Both childminders check all resources and equipment for safety at night when they are cleaned and put away. Children participate in fire drill practices to develop an awareness of how to evacuate the premises in an emergency. The childminder offers overnight care and all requirements are met to promote children's safety. Whilst on outings children wear reflective vests with the childminders contact

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

details on to ensure they are visible and if separated from the childminders they can be quickly reunited. Children receive instructions on how to remain safe whilst walking near roads and the canal. Younger children hold either the childminder's hand or the buggy. When crossing roads or on outings older children buddy younger ones, to build their self esteem and encourage them to reinforce safety issues.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good basic knowledge of child protection however she wishes to further develop her knowledge of the Local safeguarding children's board procedures through training. She has a child protection policy in place highlighting to parents her obligation to put children's

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 welfare first, by passing on any concerns to the appropriate outside agencies. She ensures that any pre-existing injuries are recorded and signed by parents.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children happily enter the house and display good relationships with both the childminder, her husband and the other children present. Children benefit from the daily routine being flexibly implemented to take into account who is present, their ages and any dropping off or collection commitments of the day. The weekly planning ensures a variety of different play opportunities and activities during the term week, whilst also taking into account the individual need of the children. During school holidays this routine is amended and the childminder also tries to plan in at least one special outing each week. Children appear relaxed and enjoy time to play calmly with each other throughout the busy daily routine.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy participating in a variety of creative opportunities and imaginative play. Their art work is on display within the conservatory and they enjoy playing with cars and the newly purchased farm re-enacting things they have seen whilst out. Children usually attend weekly toddler and childminding groups however, during the holidays these shut down. To continue their socialising with each other, whilst also including the older children, activities are planned to get them all together. This summer these include a sports day and a teddy bears picnic. During the holidays to ensure that both older and younger children enjoy a variety of activities, suitable for their ages the childminder plans more adventurous outings. Children recently enjoyed going to a farm in Dorset, where they saw three day old piglets and are looking forward to going to the seaside.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder positively interacts with children during play and provides encouragement and support. Children happily play with the available resources and can select these for themselves only receiving additional support from the childminder when she sees they need it. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to plan learning opportunities for the younger children and is developing her awareness of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) ready for it's implementation in 2008.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from there being both and 'Equal opportunity policy' and 'Special requirements policy' in place. These are readily accessible and provided to the parents. Children gain a positive awareness about the wider world they live in and disabilities whilst accessing a wide range of books, and resources. They undertake charity events like the 'Barnardo's great toddle' and talk about why they are doing this and who benefits. Children attending come from several different cultural backgrounds and this enables the childminder to seek a wealth of first hand knowledge from the parents, whilst also encouraging children to share their personal experiences as well. Children send postcards from their holidays and these are on display in the conservatory. They also gain awareness of how it would be to have a disability. After hearing children discuss over dinner a school friend who had a limb missing the childminder encouraged them to try to

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

imagine how that may affect their everyday tasks and to see if they could write using only their feet or mouth. This made all the children think and provided an impromptu learning opportunity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn positive behaviour through observing the example set by older children and the childminder. The behaviour policy is available to parents and consistently implemented by both

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 childminders. Children receive support and praise whilst doing activities and the childminder positively interacts both physical and verbally. The childminder uses distraction techniques and a 'three strike rule' for inappropriate behaviour. If a child receives three warnings, they are removed from the activity to sit or just to reflect on what they did if this is developmentally appropriate. Children explain why they acted in the way they did to understand why it was unacceptable and then apologise before resuming play.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership developed with parents is very good and in written feedback that state they are happy with the care their children receive and the service available to them. Parents record all their children's individual details on contact sheets and also enter into a contract with the childminder. They enjoy feedback on their children's day both verbally and in writing. They receive a written prospectus about the service and what they can expect. Documentation is in place to ensure that parents are made aware of the appropriate procedure to follow if they have a concern or complaint.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive cohesive care from both the childminder and her childminding husband. Both work together to provide one flexible service. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. The available space is effectively organised to ensure that both older and younger children can play safely and access appropriate resources at the same time. Children settle quickly and become familiar with flexibly followed routine, assisting them to feel at home.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has a professional approach to her childminding and keeps accurate records, promoting the children's welfare, care and learning. She ensures that her registration certificate is clearly on display for parents to see along with all her policies and procedures. Since her last inspection she has undertaken several training sessions to further her knowledge, and is currently working towards becoming an accredited childminder alongside her Network childminder status.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection it was recommended that she ensure children's safety with regard to hazards in the garden, to the horizontal banisters on landing and to the stacked toy boxes in playroom and all these areas have now been satisfactorily addressed.

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

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

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): • increase knowledge of the local safeguarding children's board child protection procedures

p.6

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

p.6

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