Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276734 Unique Reference Number 30 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 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 husband and children aged three and seven years. They live in a house in the Sarisbury Green area of Southampton. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding 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 a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for two children before and after school. The childminder walks to and from local school to take and collect children. The family have a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing an understanding of a healthy lifestyle and the benefits of exercise. Children are healthy as they have regular physical exercise when walking to and from school. They are taken to local parks frequently and also play games in the garden. Children state that

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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 they particularly enjoy playing football. The childminder is very well aware of the importance of physical exercise and ensures children are fit and having fun while exercising.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are aware of the importance of eating nutritious foods and are offered plenty of fruit and vegetables for meals and snacks. The childminder teaches children about good diet and nutrition. She offers drinks of water or low sugar squash.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are aware of good hygiene routines and wash their hands after using the toilet. However, they share a hand drying towel and are at risk from cross infection. The childminder keeps suitable records of accidents and medication administered. She holds written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment for each minded child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a safe and secure environment as the childminder takes the necessary steps to keep children safe. The front door is kept securely locked when children are present. The rear garden is well fenced and secure. A fire guard is fixed in place around the fire place. All low level glass has been made safe and cleaning equipment is stored in a locked cupboard. Children remain on the ground floor of the home and a stair gate is available if required. The childminder ensures children are aware of the fire evacuation procedure through discussion, although this has not been practised or recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access resources freely, developing their independence. They have free choice of a large range of toys and activities which are stored in the playroom. Children help themselves to toys on lower shelves and can easily see what is available on the higher shelves as all containers are very clearly labelled. The childminder ensures toys are suitable and safe for those children present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has knowledge of child protection procedures and is well aware of her professional duty to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy a familiar and warm relationship with the childminder and chat easily over their activities. The childminder ensures children have a good balance of physical exercise and more relaxed play activities. She is very aware that children often need to unwind after a busy day at school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered a wide choice of toys, games and activities. They choose to create large scale pictures of witches as it is Halloween. They help themselves to colouring crayons and felt tips from the drawers. Some children work together while others prefer to make their own picture to take home later. They talk to the childminder as they work and ask for help as needed. The childminder discusses the colours they are using and how to make the pictures look most effective.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy putting on shows for one another and displaying their dancing and gymnastic skills. They sometimes organise their own exercise sessions inside the house, when they are unable to go outside to play. Children create their own exercise routines under the watchful eye of the childminder who is a qualified fitness instructor.

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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 good. Children behave very well. They are polite and have good manners. The childminder treats children with respect and takes them to one side to discuss behaviour management issues. She is very aware that she cares for both older and younger children and has to meet all their needs appropriately. The childminder encourages older children to be aware of the younger children and also gives them additional responsibilities. She acts as a good role model to the children and praises their positive behaviour. Children are well aware of the rules of the home and remove their shoes as they enter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the daily communication between the childminder and their parents. The childminder gives parents brief feedback when children are collected. She makes parents aware of her policies and procedures including the complaints procedure. Parents complete all necessary documentation and permission forms.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated as individuals and the childminder knows them well. Children develop an understanding of equal opportunities as the childminder encourages them all to use any equipment they wish. She provides some toys which reflect diversity and celebrates various festivals with the 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.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are settled and happy in the familiar environment. They help themselves to activities and talk over their day with the childminder. Children are well supervised as the childminder ensures she is fully aware of what the children are doing at all times. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Both a register and calendar are used to keep a record of attendance and the childminder ensures the register is accurate when signed by parents each week. The childminder ensures she remains within her ratio at all times.

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Organisation

Children are well cared for by the knowledgeable and trained childminder. The childminder has been pro-active in ensuring her first aid training remains up to date and has booked a suitable course. She is planning future training to enhance her current skills. The childminder has good awareness of the National Standards and refers to them regularly to ensure a high standard of care of children. She does not leave children with anyone who is not vetted.

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Organisation

All necessary documentation is in place and records are stored in a confidential manner. The childminder has a well organised filing system and she ensures children's records are available when required.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen, and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements 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 The childminder has a suitable fire blanket which is available in the kitchen area. She has obtained signed permission from parents to obtain emergency medical advice or treatment and children therefore remain safe at all times.

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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 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): • record and practise fire drill with children • ensure children are protected from cross infection after washing their hands

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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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