Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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154757 Unique Reference Number 03 December 2007 Inspection date Marie Thompson 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 11 years old in Yateley, Hampshire. The whole of the childminders house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently two children on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have one dog, one cat and one hamster.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment where they learn to follow good hygiene practices. Children use a soap dispenser to wash their hands and a small step to help reach the sink which helps to develop their independence and personal skills. They use individual towels to dry their hands which are identifiable by the different colours and a small rocket on the corner of each towel.

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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 also have their own flannels and they know which one belongs to them because they have their favourite characters on, Sully from Monsters Inc and Action Man. This is a lovely provision to positively control the spread of germs. The children wash their hands before and after lunch and after particularly messy activities or playing in the garden. The childminder is meticulous in her routines when changing nappies. This is done in the downstairs toilet so that children make the association with the procedure. The childminder routinely checks the children's nappies before they have their lunch and go to sleep in the afternoon. Although the children each have their own changing mat the childminder makes sure they are thoroughly wiped after each change. The children sleep in the upstairs bedroom where there is a travel cot available

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Helping children to be healthy

or a single bed for slightly older children. The linen is individual to each child and washed after use. The childminder make sure the children are clean and comfortable by wiping their noses when they have a cold and disposes of the tissues appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder employs a cleaner to come in once a week to ensure that the house has a thorough clean and the gardener keeps the lawns tidy for the children to play on. Throughout the day the childminder wipes down the surfaces and tables and when the children have gone home she will mop the kitchen floor and run the Hoover around. The dog and cat visit the vet to ensure that their flea and worm treatments are regular and the children are encouraged to wash their hands after they have touched the animals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide the food for their own children and the childminder makes sure that it is stored appropriately in the fridge. The children's bottles are also ready made and supplied by the parents. The childminder cuddles the children in when they have their bottle and talks gently to them. The children therefore feel relaxed and content and thoroughly enjoy their milk. During the summer months the children have great fun eating their lunch in the garden at the picnics table.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is a qualified nurse and therefore children receive appropriate first aid, which is recorded and countersigned by parents. She has also attended a relevant first aid course which is specific to administrating paediatric first aid. Children are only administered medicine that has been authorised by parents. The childminder has an excellent understanding of caring for children when they are sick. She makes sure that she is sensitive to their needs and follows appropriate procedures which reassures and comforts children. She has an extensive knowledge about procedures related to infections, notifiable and communicable diseases and is able to advise the parents on the appropriate incubation periods or action to take.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to experience a range of activities which encourage their physical development. The childminder ensures that they have a wide range of activities to encourage physical development. Each day the children get fresh air because they all take the dog for a walk in Amber Woods where they can also watch the trains go by or collect sticks and pine cones to use in art and craft activities later in the day. There are ample opportunities in the garden for the children to develop their physical skills; for example a large and small trampoline, a small slide, copious amounts of footballs to kick into the goal and the very popular bubble blowing lawn mower. In the house there is another small trampoline, a tunnel and a tent. The younger children really enjoy riding around on the little green and purple Dinosaur ride on toy. The children's fine motor skills are encouraged through the provision of lots and lots of toys including

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Helping children to be healthy

shape sorters, puzzles and construction, as well as art and craft activities.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children choose from a wide range of good quality toys to enable then to make good progress in all areas of development. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises their use to make sure that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children can access resources independently as these are well organised in small boxes laid out on the floor and all resources are of extremely good quality. Children are interested in the toys provided, such as puzzles, soft toys, books, cars, construction and role play. Children freely explore as they have sufficient space and good access to the range of resources both inside and outside the home, using the living room, conservatory and the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected from hazards by the childminder's good regard to safety. She identifies risks through the use of risk assessment and has implemented various techniques or equipment to keep the children safe. The children are safe when they go on outings because the childminder uses a buggy with a secure harness and the children walk holding hands or onto the buggy. She encourages them to be vigilant when they are crossing the roads and her car is fitted with appropriate seats so that the children travel safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has smoke alarms fitted on both levels of the house and in every bedroom. They are tested regularly and this information is recorded. She has an excellent fire evacuation procedure in place, however this has not been practised with the children to ensure that they can all exit the building safely. The fire blanket is located in the kitchen where it can easily be accessed in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place including suitable car and personal liability insurance which makes sure the children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has a current first aid certificate and an easily accessible, suitable first aid kit. Children are protected because the childminder has a very good awareness and understanding of her role and responsibilities in keeping the children safe from harm or abuse. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedure to follow if there are any concerns. She has attended several relevant training courses and has her own child protection policy in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the environment where the childminder sensitively interacts with them. They primarily use the conservatory as a play room which is a bright, warm and attractive room. There are some very nice posters on the walls showing the Solar system, numbers and wild animals and the children's work is dotted around for them to see. They move around the house as if it is a 'home from home' and are very comfortable in the surroundings. Children know where everything is, which means they can confidently initiate their own play and what the boundaries are within the house. Children are confident and relate very well to the childminder and to each other and enjoy the company within the warm environment. Conversations, hugs and smiles are frequent, kind, genuine and warm. Many of the children have been with the childminder since they were babies and are now 'part of the family'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Social interaction with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups helps to develop relationships with children of a similar age. On Mondays they go to 'Creepy Crawlies at the Arena Leisure Centre' which has lots of soft play, parachutes, a bouncy castle and ball

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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 pits, song time and a big trampoline. The children have further opportunities to develop their physical skills and to socialise when they go to 'Run about' which is a purpose build indoor play area, with two tiers, tunnels and slides. They usually do this on a Tuesday morning. The childminder notes and plans general themes in her activity book for the coming months and the children have so far enjoyed some lovely activities; for example, in January, they decorated gingerbread men, had great fun sticking and gluing flower shapes and squeezing and squashing the play dough. During 'Hamster' week the children learnt how to feed the childminder's hamster and how to carefully clean out the cage. The Mother's Day cards the children made gave them the opportunity to learn to use stencils, felt and tissue paper with charming results. The children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

really like finger painting and using the paint sticks and their pictures take pride of place in the conservatory. Everyone had a super time making Easter cards and taking part in the Easter egg hunt. The day was completed with a delicious activity which involved decorating a chocolate egg with chocolate buttons and icing sugar. Other activities that the children have really enjoyed are making textured pictures by sticking pasta in a variety of designs and bread making.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose between a variety of stimulating toys and resources within the conservatory, which appeal to all. A good range of activities supports children's learning and development. Children enjoy books and stories, which are part of the daily routine and the childminder has a lovely selection for them to choose from.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's imaginative development is enhanced through role-play and they clearly enjoy dressing up as the 'Incredible Hulk'. The childminder organised a Halloween party for the children which was great fun. The children made the posters to go on the wall and they enjoyed some great games including apple bobbing, pin the bone on the skeleton and 'mummy' wrapping. Tea time was a feast of hot dogs, Halloween cakes, carrots and cucumber. During the summer the children enjoyed playing in the garden in the sand pit and the paddling pool. Children are developing a healthy self-esteem and confidence, enjoy their play and are engaged in their activities. Children's pleasure in their activities is facilitated by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of development and play, while her care and kindness ensure they feel valued and accepted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel respected as individuals and made to feel good about themselves because the childminder gives them lots of support, cuddles and positive encouragement. The childminder talks to them about their home life and things that are important to them. Children's drawings are displayed in the conservatory which develops their self esteem and confidence in their own abilities. They learn about the world through outings and activities that introduce them to other cultures. Children have access to a reasonable range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder is aware of the festivals which occur throughout the year such as Al Hijra, Chinese New Year, St David's' Day, St Patrick's day, St Georges Day, the Jewish Feast of Weeks, Jewish New Year, Ramadan, Remembrance Sunday, St. Andrews Day and Christmas. She addresses some of these through activities with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the children which are appropriate for their ages and stages of development. The childminder is aware that as the children get older she will need to increase their knowledge and understanding of other cultures and festivals to enable them to develop a greater appreciation of others within the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder meets the children's needs by following normal daily routines as discussed with parents, which helps the children feel secure. They have time to relax as well as be active,

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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 which develops the children's independent freedom of choice. Children learn important social skills such as sharing and listening to each other. Children benefit from lots of praise, cuddles and reassurance. They behave very well. Good, calm and sensitive explanation helps children learn right from wrong and teaches self-discipline.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are currently no children with learning difficulties or disabilities within the childminder's care. Although, the childminder has some personal experience and a good understanding of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities through her experiences working in a respite care unit and paediatrics. The childminder is confident she would be able to liaise with parents, associated professionals and outside agencies to ensure that all the children's needs are well planned for and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has very good relationships with all of the parents, which is friendly and supportive and sometimes social. Parents are fully informed of her practice, ensuring the children's continued support and welfare. Each child has a care diary and the childminder gives verbal feedback at the end of the day. Parents feel welcome and value the childminder's warm and pleasant approach to caring for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children play safely as the childminder organises the toys and environment well. Toys are rotated to maintain children's interest and are well-organised. The childminder organises the daily routines very well, taking into account the needs of the children who attend, for example, allowing time for the children to sleep and setting out toys and activities that are aimed at the children's different abilities, ensuring they all gain the most from the resources. The childminder is fully aware of the registration requirements and ensures she maintains the correct ratios, helping to protect the children and ensure they are fully supervised and receive a very good level of support at all times. Children go upstairs to sleep and use the kitchen for messy play activities. The garden is well stocked with suitable and safe age appropriate toys. Children benefit from the childminder organising outings to toddler groups and soft-play areas to

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Organisation

increase their social skills and develop knowledge of the wider world.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminders involvement with the local childminder network and her commitment to ongoing training. She has already attend a lovely range of courses through her post as School Governor which include safeguarding children, understanding children's special needs, health and safety and a course on dealing with and preventing bullying. The childminder is currently studying for her Diploma in Home based Childcare. This means that the children are cared for by a practitioner who is keen to enhance her own knowledge and skills in order to develop and consolidate her practice. The childminder has devised her own policies and procedures which are very good. Within the 'partnership with parents' policy is the complaints procedure which is very comprehensive and gives the website address however it does not state the address and contact numbers of the regulator Ofsted.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains a very good range of documentation with all appropriate records in place that are stored confidentially to promote and underpin children's safety, welfare and learning. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she 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 was asked to send a copy of first aid certificate to Ofsted, to assess safety in the house and to review resources to include positive images of diversity of the wider world we live in. The childminder was also asked to review and update documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has sent her first aid certificate to Ofsted, she has assessed the safety in the house and updated her resources to include positive images of diversity of the wider world. All documentation has been reviewed and updated.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These measures contribute to ensuring children's continued health, safety and wellbeing.

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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): • further develop fire safety procedures • ensure the complaints procedure contains the address and contact numbers of the regulator, Ofsted

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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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