Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265556 Unique Reference Number 26 September 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 2003. She lives with her partner in a house in the town of Bishops Waltham, Hampshire. All areas of the property are used for childminding, however, this normally occurs downstairs and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under five during the day. The childminder attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She is registered to provide overnight care for one child under the age of eight years. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children and babies are cared for in an extremely clean and well-maintained home, where highly effective health and hygiene routines are followed. For example, nappy changing procedures

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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 are effective and follow home routines. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of the importance of enabling children to develop good self-help skills. She offers very good support to them as they attempt to manage for themselves. Babies are kept clean using wipes to meet their needs. Children and babies receive suitable care in the event of illness or an accident as the childminder has a full and detailed understanding of first aid procedures. They are able to rest and sleep according to their needs and daily routines, for example, during the inspection both children went off to sleep at different times and awoke refreshed and happy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children and babies are well nourished as the parents provide for all their needs. The childminder has a high regard for healthy eating, and always makes sure that healthy choices are available at snack time. For example, apples, bananas and dried fruit are enjoyed. Drinks are made available whenever required and the childminder ensures that they drink regularly as they are not all able to ask when thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children and babies have plenty of physical exercise, they can use the garden which is well equipped with equipment to promote physical skills as they grow and develop. They crawl in and out of the ball pond indoors and enjoy going out for walks. The childminder takes them out on visits to country parks and zoos and they visit local toddler groups to socialise. This allows them to develop different physical skills in a new environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and babies are cared for in a secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. Their safety is well maintained as the childminder has a good understanding of safety issues. For example, cupboards are kept locked and doors and stair gates are used as necessary. All children are closely supervised at all times to ensure they are kept safe. Suitable systems are in place to monitor the sleeping children upstairs and any staying overnight as she is registered for overnight care. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of emergency procedures and she practises evacuations with all children to ensure that she can evacuate quickly whilst supervising effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures that she provides suitable and safe toys for the children and babies. The range of equipment in place gives good support for them and promotes their care and learning. The childminder has organised and stored her resources well at all times 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 and babies are well protected, as the childminder understands her role in child protection and is aware of her responsibilities for their welfare. She has a suitable knowledge of child protection issues, she is however, not fully secure in her understanding of the guidance issued by The Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children and babies are happy and settled with the childminder. She successfully promotes their learning and uses the Birth to three matters framework as a reference point and is booked to attend the training to further develop her knowledge. Babies are encouraged to explore and investigate and bright and colourful toys are selected for them to play with. The childminder interacts really well with the children giving them good support as they experiment. For example, one child paints their hands and makes pictures and is really pleased with the painting and uses

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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 a variety of coloured pens to make marks on paper. Babies enjoy sitting in a highchair picking up small pieces of sweet corn from the tray which very effectively develops their small hand skills. Together with the childminder the children and babies look at pictures and posters on the wall and sit and play with the toys on the carpet. Children and babies regularly go on outings to socialise. For example, to local toddler groups, visits to other childminders and further afield to parks, zoos and occasionally swimming.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children and babies' sense of belonging is fostered through the warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere and the childminder's dedication to their care and learning. Close and caring relationships have developed and this increases children and babies sense of trust and helps them to start developing confidence. They begin to develop an awareness of their local environment as they go out for walks and outings to places of interest. Suitable resources that promote positive images of diversity are provided to promote children's awareness of the wider world as they develop their learning. Children and babies' individual needs are discussed with parents in detail. The childminder has a practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of how to deal with a range of behavioural issues and would use a range of age appropriate methods to support the children. For example, for the younger children she uses distraction if they become fractious or tired and this works effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops strong and supportive working relationships with parents. This enables clear discussions to take place on a regular basis in order to promote good continuity in children and babies' care. Parents receive a good introduction to the setting and a range of policies and procedures are provided and these help promote children's welfare and well-being. Written agreements and consents are maintained as required. A clear complaints policy and procedure is in place and this ensures that parents are aware of the system to resolve issues if necessary.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children and babies' care is enhanced by the effective and efficient organisation and by the childminder's professional attitude to her work. Policies and procedures are clear and well implemented to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement. The premises are effectively organised to meet children's needs and to ensure they feel welcome. Routines are well established to help them to feel secure and toys and resources are well organised to create a stimulating and accessible environment for children and babies.

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Organisation

Children are well protected as suitable systems are in place for keeping records and all required documentation. These are well-maintained, well organised, suitably stored and made available for inspection. Time is routinely made to ensure information is regularly shared with parents and this helps to highlight any concerns and monitors children's progress. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to extend her knowledge of child protection procedures. This recommendation has been met in order to improve children's safety and welfare. She also agreed to improve her selection of resources to promote positive images of disabilities. New and appropriate resources have been provided that enable children to begin to understand the needs of others. These are available to be used by the children as their learning develops.

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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 the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance.

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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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