Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY275044 Unique Reference Number 15 October 2007 Inspection date Judith Reed 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 9 and 4 in the Chilworth area of Southampton. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part time basis. The childminder sometimes walks to local schools to take children. The childminder attends a local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are healthy as the childminder has an understanding of suitable hygiene procedures and employs them when changing nappies. She ensures she washes her hands and disposes of the soiled nappy in an appropriate manner. Older children use the upstairs bathroom independently. The childminder has a first aid kit in the home and carries a small kit when out and about. An accident and medication record book is available and is used as required.

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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 Medication is stored in a locked cupboard to ensure children's safety. The childminder has not obtained individual written permission to administer emergency medical treatment and children may be at risk in an emergency situation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a number of physical play opportunities which contribute to their health and physical development. They walk to school via a footpath through fields in the summer. Children are regularly taken to the park for physical play activities. They also experience small scale physical play at toddler group. A garden with a small trampoline, scooters, a tricycle and a slide is also available for outside physical play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy and nutritious diet. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children are offered familiar foods which fit in with the family routine. She is aware of individual children's dietary requirements. Children have snacks of fresh fruit, raisins and drinks of water or squash. They have finger food lunches of sandwiches, fresh salad vegetables and a small yoghurt as a dessert.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure environment where they are watched carefully at all times. The childminder has an understanding of safety issues and plans further improvements to ensure all children's safety. Children are currently accompanied in the garden at all times as the fence and gates are not secure. In the kitchen cupboard locks are fitted where cleaning equipment and medicines are stored, however, there is no lock on the cupboard containing glasses which poses a risk to children. Stair gates are in place and can be moved as necessary. Socket covers and smoke detectors are in place and a fire blanket is available. The childminder has devised a suitable fire evacuation procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are encouraged to help themselves to toys and equipment in the conservatory which is set out as a play room for young children. There is a range of home corner equipment with kitchen utensils and food available for play. Children also have books, a rocking horse, and a low desk and bench with paper and crayons. Children move around freely. The childminder is aware of keeping younger children safe from unsuitable toys with small pieces. She ensures all toys are cleaned regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has an understanding of child protection procedures and knows her professional duty regarding child protection. Parents are made aware of the childminder's duty to report concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder who encourages them to play. The childminder has quickly built a warm relationship with the minded children. She talks to them to encourage their speech and language development, and laughs with them. The childminder shows children how to play "Beep Boo" with a mirror saying "Beep Boo-there she is! I can see you". Children are interested in looking in the mirror and handling it. They also cuddle into the childminder, hiding their faces, and the childminder talks gently to them, encouraging them to peek out. Children are shown a shiny pom-pom which rustles when it is waved. They hold the pom-pom and wave it up and down developing hand eye co-ordination.

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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 Children explore the kitchen equipment arranged around the playroom. The childminder shows children how to use pans and cooking implements. They sort the food together and the children try to eat the play bread. Children also enjoy discovering press buttons on toys which then make noises. They repeatedly press the button on the Gingerbread Man so that he will say his rhyme. The childminder supports children who are learning to stand and quickly gathers them into a cuddle when they become upset after a wobble.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered a range of activities and take part in drawing celebration cards for their family as well as painting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive a good level of consistent care due to the communication between the childminder and their parents. Most documentation is completed and the childminder ensures she follows the routine and requirements of the parents. The childminder gives parents a copy of her policies and tells them about the procedure for making complaints, however, parents are not made aware of Ofsted contact details.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated as individuals and the childminder knows them well. They begin to develop a little knowledge of diversity as the childminder has a dressing up outfit from China and a few books which show children from around the world. The childminder is planning to use the library and toy library to extend the range of toys available to children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and respected. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, but has a positive attitude towards additional needs and would work closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure children's individual needs are met. The childminder has taken training in Makaton sign language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are encouraged throughout their activities. The childminder keeps a close watch on the children at all times and praises them. She uses distraction to manage behaviour issues and gives clear warnings, changing her tone of voice to ensure children understand. Behaviour management concerns are discussed with parents as necessary.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home in the well organised environment. They become confident to initiate their own play. Children have space to play freely and are taken out regularly. The childminder ensures she remains within her ratio at all times and that her register is up to date and accurate.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by a well trained and experienced child carer. The childminder is enthusiastic about keeping her knowledge up to date by attending training courses and reading publications. She has an awareness of the National Standards and is aware of the requirements of her registration. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised and keeps all documentation confidential. She keeps necessary forms and contact information to hand, however, she does not hold all necessary permissions from parents.

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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 was required to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has purchased a dressing up ensemble and a couple of books which promote equal opportunities, however, she is aware that she needs to obtain further equipment which reflects diversity, and this remains a recommendation.

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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.

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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 written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is available for each minded child • make all areas of the home safe for children • provide complaints information for parents which includes the contact details for Ofsted • improve the range of toys and equipment which reflect diversity.

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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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