Childminder in Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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161014 Unique Reference Number 08 September 2005 Inspection date Loraine Wardlaw 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and their two young daughters. They live in a house in the Sholing area of Southampton. It is located close to local amenities. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the local childminding network and delivers nursery education to one child, one session a week. The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of 8, one of whom can be under 5. She currently cares for one child under 5, full-time and two school age children, part-time. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant, and could care jointly for up to seven children, four of whom may be under 5. The childminder does not currently employ an assistant. She drives to the local school and pre-school to take

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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. and collect children. The childminder is a member of the Southampton Childminding Association and is a support childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is satisfactorily promoted through the clean environment offered and the clear nappy changing procedure. However, hand washing before the children eat is not consistently part of their hygiene routine. Young children are developing their manipulative skills well, by the variety of activities on offer, for example a toddler independently paints using a small pot in one hand and a paint brush in the other. Outside in the garden children enjoy the sit on rides or the slide which ensures that they experience fresh air and a fair amount of physical exercise during the day. The funded nursery child has good eye hand co-ordination, she skilfully cuts around shapes with scissors and enjoys using a variety of tools such as glue spreaders and paint brushes. She is confident in using the slide, often going backwards, but there is less emphasis on her using small equipment in the garden such as bats, balls and bean

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Helping children to be healthy

bags. Children receive cuddles from the childminder when they feel nervous ensuring that their emotional needs are met. Suitable sleep facilities and a flexible care routine means that children can rest when they need to. Children's nutritious needs are sufficiently catered for, they enjoy regular drinks and meals, with the childminder taking into account the children's likes and dislikes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children explore in a fairly safe environment and are supervised well by the childminder. Not all safety features are in place to help children stay safe, such as bolts to secure the swing or locks on the kitchen cupboards. Good emergency procedures are in place when the children are on outings; they wear wrist straps showing the childminder's name and telephone number. Children play in a lovely, colourful, designated playroom and messy area with plenty of space for them to move around. They enjoy playing with the extensive range of toys on offer, all of which they can access easily and independently. Children are protected suitably from harm. The childminder has a clear understanding of the child protection procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good amount of play opportunities both inside and outside the home, such as painting, collage, cooking and music. They regularly attend groups such as parent and toddlers. All children are happy and very involved in their play; they can initiate their own activities by accessing the toys themselves. Children are secure, settled and form positive relationships with each other and the childminder, who is readily available to support them. School age children enthusiastically recall what they have been doing at the childminders, referring to their personalised folder which contains photos of the activities and their art work.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. The childminder has put some aspects of the Birth to Three Matters guidance into her practice to benefit the younger child, for example they eagerly explore the treasure basket or Heuristic play items.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Children are making sound progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder has a secure knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum. Planning is sufficient, covers the stepping stones but does not cover all aspects within the areas of learning. Good broad, termly evaluation notes are made of what the child has learnt, but detailed assessment records are not in place and are not used to inform the short term planning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are developing in their speech and language and respond appropriately to the adult's questions, which sometimes requires them to think. They enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. Children demonstrate good pencil control and can represent their ideas, but there are missed opportunities during craft activities to develop these skills further, into emergent writing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are gaining confidence in counting through some routine activities and planned activities. They can recognise two dimensional shapes and proudly complete a six piece puzzle for the first time independently, which gives a good sense of achievement. There is less emphasis on recognising numerals and following through practical maths problems in play such as counting and comparing eggs and spaces in the egg box.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have the opportunity to use their imagination using a variety of mediums, such as chalk, paint and collage materials. They skilfully create a birthday cake with candles out of play doh and engage in role play. Children enjoy using the instruments and singing along to " I am the music man…" They regularly explore water and sand and use every day technology resources to enhance their learning such as the Winnie-the-Pooh computer. Children are beginning to learn about the passing of time, but there is limited opportunity for them to be more aware of and learn about other cultures and beliefs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a caring environment where much emphasis is put upon making them feel equally valued. The childminder juggles the individual needs of each child very well to help them feel secure and happy, for example one child has toast at lunchtime, because he eats hot food, while the others have sandwiches. The childminder is experienced in caring for children with special needs and knows how to support them through taking guidance from 'Together from the start'. Children have a suitable range of resources to play with that reflect the diverse world in which they live and to appreciate others. They learn right from wrong and to be kind to each other by the consistent, positive and firm approach by the childminder. The funded 3-year-old is developing a good attitude to activities and is expanding her concentration skills. She is gaining in personal independence such as going to the toilet unaided and is learning

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to share and play with other children. All children have a good sense of belonging, which is

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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. assisted by them having a record book of their time at the childminders. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Effective relationships are built with parents to ensure there is good continuity of care for children between both homes. A flexible settling in period is offered and an easily accessible parents information folder includes good policies and procedures about the child care setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents of funded children will be offered a monthly newsletter about planned play activities and how they can involve their child in the learning at home. Plans will be on display in the room and parents will be able to see their child's assessment records. In addition, parents will be given a termly overview of what the child has achieved and any action to be taken.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are familiar and comfortable with the well organised day which is very child-centred. The qualified childminder keeps her knowledge well up-to-date to benefit the children she educates and cares for. She is committed to learn more and has recently attended Birth to Three Matters training and a business course. The childminder has a good understanding of what is expected of her and ensures appropriate procedures and documentation is in place to promote children's well being and development. Some good, personal policies clearly outline the service provided for children and parents. The childminder has organised her home and resources effectively to ensure that children can easily play with toys that interest them and have plenty of choice. There is a designated messy area, free play room, room to rest/sleep and to share meals. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection an action and one recommendation was made. The action was to complete a relevant first aid course, which the childminder undertook in May 2004.The recommendation was to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. The childminder has completed this and has this complaints procedure available in her parents folder.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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.

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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 all safety precautions are in place in the home and garden • improve children's hygiene routines to include regular handwashing

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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): • ensure children's progress is recorded along the stepping stones and use these records to inform planning enabling children to be challenged in their learning • ensure all aspects of each area of learning is covered in the planning, in the session routine or both, to enable children to make good progress towards all the early learning goals

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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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