Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY222452 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2005 Inspection date Pamela Woodhouse Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2002. She is registered to care for 5 children under 8 years and there are currently 9 children on roll, 4 of whom are under the age of 5 years. The childminder is also registered to accept funded nursery children, however, currently there are no children on roll in receipt of this.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and 2 children aged 5 and 8 years old in a house in Boscombe which is within walking distance of local schools and amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this includes the lounge, playroom, conservatory and toilet facilities are on the 1st floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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. have two rabbits which are housed in the garden. The childminder takes the children to toddler group and on outings to local places of interest.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is an accredited member of Bournemouth Children Come First Childminders Network and is a member of Bournemouth Borough Childminding Association and the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted through the childminder's effective practice, for example, maintaining a clean environment and having sensible precautions in place to prevent the spread of infection. She raises children's awareness of health and hygiene in everyday routines such as washing hands before eating, and through regular topics and activities. The children are currently learning about their senses in the 'All about me' topic which also introduces them to taking care of their bodies. They have very good opportunities to exercise outdoors and to move to music indoors. A varied range of resources encourages children to develop their co-ordination skills through, for example, climbing, riding push-a-long and wheeled toys and through the use of small resources such as scissors, rollers and cutters. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and their wishes respected. Snacks are healthy and the children

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Helping children to be healthy

always have access to drinks of water. Their health is further safeguarded by the comprehensive system in place to record accidents. The childminder ensures that parents receive a duplicate copy of this so that they are fully aware of any treatment given to their child to enable them to make a decision about whether any further treatment is required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a stimulating and safe environment where they can access their toys and activities freely and independently. There is a very good and varied range of appealing resources which provide appropriate challenges for the children attending. Space is organised effectively which means that they can move around, play and rest comfortably. Children are kept safe by the stringent procedures which the childminder has in place, for example, she undertakes a daily check of the premises and equipment before they arrive and practises her emergency evacuation procedures with them. She makes sure that safety equipment is in place and constantly supervises the children, making regular checks of the younger ones when they are sleeping. The outdoor play area provides a safe place for children to play and the bark chippings underneath the slides provide extra protection, however, some paving stones are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

uneven which present a tripping hazard. Children's well-being is safeguarded through the childminder's knowledge and clear understanding of child protection procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's developmental needs are fully understood by the childminder who uses this knowledge to offer appropriate challenges. They are confident and settled, responding well to her frequent praise and encouragement as they achieve small tasks such as climbing up the steps of the slide without assistance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder engages children's interest and supports their learning by involving herself in their play, for example, introducing language and colour recognition as they make cakes with the sand. All children have very good opportunities to choose from a wide range of stimulating toys and play resources and are encouraged to initiate their own play and develop their own ideas, for example, organising a puppet show. They are frequently able to meet up with other children to participate in additional activities, for instance music group and creative play workshops thus developing their social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are currently no children on roll who receive funded nursery education. However, through discussion, activity plans and samples of work, the childminder demonstrates that the quality of teaching is satisfactory. She is committed to extending her knowledge of the Foundation Stage through training and plans a varied and appropriate curriculum to promote children's progress in all areas of learning. She demonstrates some understanding of observation and assessment but is not confident about using these to inform the next stage of children's learning. This leads to inconsistent tracking of their progress. The activities provided for the younger children show that she has a very good awareness of the importance of learning through play and offering challenging and stimulating opportunities for children of all ages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Partnership with parents is good. Parents wishes are respected and they are kept informed through a daily exchange of information about their children's progress. They receive clear and comprehensive information about the provision which includes copies of the childminder's policies. This means that they are fully aware of her childminding practices and the activities she provides for their children. Children's awareness of diversity is promoted through the play environment which is decorated with pictures and posters which display positive images of different cultures and through a range of practical activities such as cooking, creative and role play. They celebrate festivals, for example Diwali and their own birthdays and enjoy stories about the wider world. This means that their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Children's individual needs are well met by the childminder. She is knowledgeable

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about their likes and dislikes and follows their home routines such as meal times and sleeping patterns as practicably as possible. This means that disruption to their settled routines is minimal. Children are very secure and the childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and approach to promoting good behaviour, for example, the children are encouraged to share and take turns. She employs consistent and simple behaviour management strategies which are appropriate to the children's level of understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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. As there are no children on roll, partnership with parents is satisfactory in respect of nursery education.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The children are confident and relaxed in the welcoming, organised, child oriented environment where space is used imaginatively for different types of play, for example, areas for creative, quiet and general activities. They are able to play separately where appropriate, for instance, the older children enjoy organising a puppet show in the playroom whilst the younger children play with the train set and farm animals in the lounge. Resources are organised and stored on low shelves which means the children can reach these independently and are able to make their own choices. The childminder's comprehensive range of policies are regularly reviewed and reflect her good practice. She maintains detailed documentation and required records are kept secure. Children's care and education is enhanced by the commitment the childminder gives to her role and through her willingness to undertake regular training to update her knowledge

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Organisation

and skills. She continues to keep abreast of current practice with regard to the Birth To Three Matters and to the early learning goals, regularly attending network training and activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last childcare inspection an action was set requiring the childminder to ensure that parents countersign accident records and a recommendation that she applies behaviour management strategies consistently. She has addressed these issues by obtaining parents countersignature and also giving them a duplicate copy of the accident record. She has attended behaviour management training and applies a more assertive and consistent approach which means that children are clear about their boundaries.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND 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.

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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 paving stones which are accessible to the children are made safe

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop a more secure understanding of observation and assessment techniques

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 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.

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