Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY227367 Unique Reference Number 12 November 2007 Inspection date Louise, Caroline Bonney 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 two school-aged children in a house in Aldershot. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there are parks nearby.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor. Toilet and sleeping facilities are available on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in clean and hygienic premises. The childminder keeps children's toys clean by washing or wiping them each month. Children follow daily routines, such as washing their hands after messy activities or before lunch, which reinforce their awareness of good hygiene. Parents are aware of the sickness procedure, which prevents unwell children attending. This helps to stop the spread of infections. Children successfully potty train at a time when they are developmentally ready, and enjoy the praise they receive as they recognise their needs in good time. The childminder adapts her activities according to the energy levels of the children. She maintains home routines around sleeps and takes into account any occasional lack of sleep they might have had overnight. Children receive good emotional support from the childminder, approaching her for the occasional cuddle. This ensures the children feel happy and secure,

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Helping children to be healthy

and that they have sufficient energy for the activities available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their medical needs met well. The childminder seeks consent from the parents for requesting emergency medical support. She administers medication with parents' prior consent and shares her medication and accident records with parents. Children receive appropriate treatment following minor accidents as the childminder has up-to-date knowledge of first aid. This protects the children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children currently attending bring all their own food with them. The childminder is careful to reheat and cool pre-prepared meals brought from home appropriately. This helps ensure food is not contaminated. Children develop independence as they feed themselves and mealtimes are relaxed and sociable. They talk about their favourite foods and make choices about which foods they will eat at snack time. Children have drinks available at all times, frequently accessing them. This supports the children developing an enjoyment of food and ensures they have sufficient fluids.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for exercise. They visit toddler groups, local parks and an indoor soft-play centre. Each day they walk to school to collect older children and in fine weather use the garden. This supports children's good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children stay safe through the procedures in place. The childminder seeks advice and support from the fire service, which installs alarms and supports the development of an appropriate fire evacuation procedure. The childminder talks to older children about the evacuation plan, but does not practise it to reinforce children's awareness of how to behave in an emergency. Children play in premises that are warm, safe and secure. Safety gates prevent their leaving the main play area unaccompanied. They use toys and equipment that is developmentally appropriate and in good condition. They safely and independently access their toys from storage boxes kept on the floor. The childminder risk assesses the premises well and takes children out to groups and parks she knows to be safe and appropriate. This means any hazards are successfully minimised to prevent children having accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about safety as they play. The childminder reminds them gently of safety rules, such as not to stand on their chair in case they fall. They have opportunities to be adventurous

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 as they play on large apparatus such as climbing frames, slides and wheeled toys in the garden and park, or when attending the softplay centre and toddler groups. This helps them develop control and to have an awareness of risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children receive protection through the childminders awareness of the possible signs of abuse or neglect. She discusses her child protection procedures with parents and they share the existing injuries record. She is aware of who to report any concerns to and when it is appropriate to discuss concerns first with parents. This safeguards the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well and develop friendly and affectionate relationships with each other and the childminder. They very much enjoy the activities the childminder prepares for them, such as collage activities when they decorate butterflies and colour paper plates. Children concentrate well during their activities, with the childminder offering extra ideas to extend the activity when they need further inspiration. For instance, she extends their game with the railway sets by introducing the playhouse, so the passengers have somewhere to go. This inspires the children to further develop their imaginative play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children freely make choices about their activities as they access a good range of toys that they find stimulating, showing delight as they discover a favourite toy. Children develop good communication skills as they busily engage the childminder and each other in conversations. Children enjoy copying what the childminder says, repeating phrases over and over again such as 'it's a bit bruised!' as she throws away some banana. They love looking at books, pretending to read as they turn the pages and recite the familiar rhyme repeatedly. They recognise the sounds in words as the childminder gives them the sound of the first letter as a clue when they try to name something. They enthusiastically sing along to the song tape with the childminder and do action rhymes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very confident as they ask for their needs or make choices, such as the potty or something to eat. They know the childminder respects their choices as they say 'no' to a suggested activity and choose something different. They have a hug when they want one and they know the childminder always listens to them with care and affection. This supports the children's confidence and self-esteem well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to socialise with others. They attend various toddler groups and go to the local toddler gym, where they use a bouncy castle, trampoline and clamber on large soft shapes. They often visit local parks to play on the large apparatus or to feed the ducks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a weekly rota for activities, which includes activities such as outings to toddler groups, a gym group and music time. However, she does not use the Birth to three matters framework to further develop her provision for younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good relationship the childminder develops with parents. Parents attend an introductory meeting to discuss the provision. They agree gradual settling-in procedures for new children. The childminder seeks information about children's individual

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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 needs, such as home routines, religious and dietary requirements. The childminder discusses and agrees with parents the activities she provides for the children. Parents complete contracts and child detail forms. They share all records about their children once care is established. This ensures good continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop awareness of social diversity. They play with resources that reflect other cultures and disability, such as play people and books. They have art and craft activities to reflect Diwali and Christmas. Children show a sense of belonging as they relax and play in the homely environment. Each child has their own potty and babies sleep in a familiar room. However, activities and resources do not currently reflect the variety of children's cultural backgrounds to further develop their sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and play happily together. Young children show care and concern for each other as the childminder helps them take each other's feelings into account. The childminder encourages them to think of others, such as when saving a few craft resources for absent children to use later. Children receive praise as they politely ask for a crayon or offer one to each other. Children enthusiastically join in tidying up as the childminder turns it into a game. This supports the development of appropriate behaviour well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the good organisation of the provision. They have space for their various activities indoors and the garden is currently being developed to provide an all-weather surface to support all-year-round use. Children receive good support during their activities from the careful maintenance of correct ratios and from the childminder attending additional training, such as the Level 3 Diploma in Home Childcare.

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Organisation

Children's safety and welfare receives support through the childminder developing and implementing appropriate policies and procedures, some of which are in writing. She maintains documentation well and shares records with parents. She shares information verbally about children's progress with parents during relaxed handovers at the end of the day.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection, the provider was recommended to develop her documentation, risk assessment and to provide positive images of disability. The childminder now maintains documentation effectively. The attendance record is accurately maintained and she seeks parental consent for requesting emergency medical treatment and for outings. She records any existing injuries the children arrive with and shares this record with parents. This supports the children's safety and welfare. The childminder has removed poisonous ivy from the garden. This safeguards children's health. Children access books and toys which reflect positive images of disability. This develops their awareness and provides opportunities for the childminder to support their development of positive attitudes towards disability.

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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

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 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): • develop provision for young children further by using the Birth to three matters framework • reflect the home culture and religion of all children in the resources and activities available • provide opportunities for children to practise the fire drill.

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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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