Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY245001 Unique Reference Number 03 January 2008 Inspection date Loraine Wardlaw 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 their two children, both of whom are of school age. The family live in a three bedroom bungalow, situated in the village of Old Basing, near Basingstoke. The children have access to all areas of the home, except the utility room. There is a large, enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to look after five children under the age of eight, two of whom may be under the age of one. There are currently four children being minded on a part time basis, three of whom are under three years of age. The registration does not include overnight care. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has received level 3, quality first accreditation from the association. She is also a community network childminder and is able to care for children whose families are involved with social services.

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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's health is effectively promoted because the childminder has very good hygiene procedures; for example she wears an apron whilst preparing food, in line with food hygiene regulations, and she uses freshly laundered flannels on babies faces and hands before and after meals. Babies' runny noses are frequently wiped with a tissue by the childminder to prevent cross contamination. Young children enjoy good care routines of play, mealtimes and sleep which the childminder adheres to well. For example, a baby who shows signs of tiredness is swiftly settled to sleep in their familiar cot, clean bedding and soft, sleep toy which contributes positively to their physical growth and development. They feel emotionally secure and happy because the childminder offers them lots of cuddles, good eye contact and attention which helps them build a strong bond with her. Children are provided with nutritious snacks, meals

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Helping children to be healthy

and regular drinks because the childminder has good regard to healthy eating. Babies are encouraged to meet their physical, developmental milestones because the childminder is careful to promote their gross motor skills. For example, their beakers of water are placed at toddling height on a low table which encourages a baby who has just mastered the skill of walking to walk to the table and pick up and drink from their beaker. Children enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise daily; they walk to and from school each day with toddlers having the freedom to run in a safe 'walkway' environment. They regularly visit the park or go on walks to feed the ducks. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder keeps good, complete accident and medication records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in safe environment where the childminder puts a very high emphasis on keeping children safe. She conducts regular, written and extensive risk assessments on all areas of her home and actions any areas which need addressing, such as buying a small kitchen fire extinguisher and always checking that children's car seats are suitably tight and fitted well. Children themselves undertake regular fire drill's with the childminder and young babies learn the safety boundaries, such as not to bang hard on the safety glass in the low table. When out and about with the childminder, older children are taught to always stop at the kerb, to look for a suitable place to cross the road and to listen and look for cars as they cross. Toddlers and babies are either safely strapped in buggies or have a wrist strap on. Children are able to play with an extensive range of safe and age appropriate toys; the childminder also makes excellent

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

use of the toy library to extend her toy provision which enhances children's play opportunities further. Children are well protected from possible abuse because the childminder prioritises her duty to protect children; she has undertaken advanced, up-to-date training, is confident about the procedure and has many sources of information which includes her own self devised child protection policy which is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Babies and young children experience excellent care and attention from the childminder who demonstrates a natural warmth and affection towards them. Babies relate extremely well to the childminder who interacts quietly and confidently with them to successfully promote their all-round development. They sit together on the floor and explore the treasure basket full of

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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 natural objects and the heuristic play tin; the baby gleefully copies the childminder and makes sounds by hitting the tin with a cylindrical cardboard shape. The baby snuggles close to the childminder, when they share a book together looking at the pictures while the childminder points out the baby in the pictures' features and encourages the baby to point to their own hair or their own nose. They laugh and have fun together when the baby tries to climb in the tin and the baby listens intently when the childminder sings them a nursery rhyme from a book. Babies and toddlers love to sit in their high chairs and make marks on paper with crayons; they explore corn flour and cooked spaghetti with their fingers, sometimes at the childminder's home, sometimes at the toddler group they attend. School age children enjoy craft and cooking

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities and all children enjoy regular library visits to choose books with the younger ones taking part in 'rhyme time' too. Children learn about nature and the world in which they live through the woodland walks and nature trails they take part in with the childminder; older children love to look out for different birds or wildlife and make dens.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a very caring environment where there is good emphasis on treating people equally and with respect. They have a good range of resources to play with that reflect cultural diversity and to help them appreciate people with disabilities. School age children are being introduced to different languages, such as French from the resources the childminder has to offer. Babies thrive on the praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder; she demonstrates through her good policy and through discussion that very young children are able to learn the boundaries of behaviour. For example, a toddler who likes to throw their toys, learns it is not appropriate to do this through consistent and firm talk from the childminder. However, toddlers personal independence is not wholly promoted by the childminder, such as encouraging their own personal hygiene routines. Children's continuity of care is successfully

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Helping children make a positive contribution

enhanced because the childminder builds excellent relationships with the children's parents. She communicates regularly with them, in the babies and toddlers daily diaries, writing down observations of their play and development, and through daily discussion. Parents write fondly and positively on thank you cards of the care offered to their children by the childminder and enthuse over the photographic calendar they are given, which shows the children at play. Good policies and procedures underpin the practice which are reviewed annually; these are shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Babies are extremely happy and relaxed in the home from home, nurturing environment. Their day is well organised by the competent childminder and it is centred around their needs. The childminder is a well qualified and highly committed practitioner who keeps her knowledge constantly up-to-date to benefit the children she cares for. She attends numerous courses each year, such as workshops on observations, music and movement, Early Years Foundation Stage training and puts the knowledge and skills she gains in to her childminding practice. She is very aware of her responsibilities and keeps to her ratios to ensure children receive good attention and supervision. There is a good amount of space for children to play and learn, with toys and activities organised well for children to freely select. The registration certificate is clearly displayed in the hall. The childminder has devised many personal policies which are shared with

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Organisation

parents and underpins the childminding practice. Documentation and record keeping is organised

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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 effectively, up-to-date and is thorough. 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 inspection the childminder was requested to extend resources to reflect positive images of people with a disability. Books and puzzles have been purchased to ensure children are able to appreciate and respect all people in society.

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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): • continue to develop the childminding practice with emphasis on promoting the young child's personal independence

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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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