Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY220839 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Catherine Hill 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 2002. She lives with her partner and three children aged seven, 10 and 19 years, in a house in Hampton. The ground floor of the home is used for minding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under five years for three days during the week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She has three rabbits as pets. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills and be out in the fresh air. They walk to and from school with the childminder and, weather permitting, are taken to local parks and can play outside in the rear garden. Children's dietary needs are met by the childminder who introduces them to a variety of different foods. Babies wave their arms happily as they are fed their breakfast together with a bottle of milk. The childminder faces them as they eat

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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 and talks encouragingly to them with plenty of smiles to ensure children feel secure. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and can provide appropriate care if children have an accident. She has an accident and medication book ready to record any accidents or medication given but has not obtained written parental consent to the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment. She helps protect children from the spread of infection by teaching them to wash their hands after outside play, after using the toilet and before eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play within a warm and welcoming home environment. They are able to move freely around the minding area and can independently access age appropriate resources. For example, babies play happily with activity and multi-sensory toys. The childminder has a good range of toys to support children's play and learning which she checks for safety. Children keep safe within the childminder's care. She ensures cushions are placed snugly around babies so they cannot hurt themselves if they fall back. She has a safety gate for use, fire blanket in place and keeps the premises secure when minding. Plastic bags, however, have not been stored so they are inaccessible to children. Children are well supervised and their welfare safeguarded as the childminder understands her role with regard to child protection. She has attended child protection training and maintains relevant safeguarding children information on file for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

reference. Parents inform her of any existing injuries children may arrive with but no records are maintained of these injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and content within the childminder's care. They find a voice as the childminder responds positively to young children's gurgling and babbling by interpreting and giving meaning to their sounds. The childminder talks gently and reassuringly to children and gets down to their level to play with them. Children have fun investigating and exploring, for example, musical and interactive toys. They smile and wave their arms excitedly as the childminder demonstrates how pressing a button can make a cow on a toy move. Children are allowed to follow their own interests and this reduces the incidents when they may feel frustration. The childminder observes children and recognizes when to provide further challenge for them to develop their skills. For example, she ensures floor space is clear and places toys just out of reach to encourage young children to move towards them. Children rise to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

challenge and look around them and smile as they try and coordinate their arms and legs in forward movement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have good relationships with the childminder who provides plenty of cuddles to support their emotional well-being. They snuggle in closely to her and, when tired, relax and fall asleep in her arms. The childminder teaches children to share and has some resources to develop children's awareness of diversity, although she has none reflecting disability. Children develop in self-esteem as the childminder applauds and praises their efforts. They are well supported and occupied and behave well. The childminder shares verbal information with parents about her practice but has yet to provide them with details of how to contact Ofsted should they

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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 have any concerns. She maintains contracts and record forms with children's details on although record forms are not always fully completed for individual children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organizes her practice to provide children with a welcoming, homely environment for play and learning. She maintains some documentation to support her practice but could not find evidence of a record of children's attendance times which is in breach of Children Act regulations. Her registration certificate is also not clearly displayed during minding hours. Suitability checks have been instigated for household members over 16 years of age but evidence is not maintained of checks on all family members. The childminder is kind and caring and closely supervises children in her care. Children are very happy and settled within her home. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has addressed both recommendations made at her previous inspection which related to health and safety. She has ensured that her first aid kit does not contain any medications or creams and has obtained public liability insurance for her childminding.

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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. 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): • improve safety by ensuring plastic bags are made inaccessible to minded children • improve the partnership with parents by sharing with them a procedure for dealing with any concerns raised by parents and include within the procedures Ofsted's contact details • ensure documentation is maintained and available for inspection showing: children's daily hours of attendance; parental consent to the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment and proof of household members suitability

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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 • ensure the registration certificate is clearly displayed during minding hours.

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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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