Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY258208 Unique Reference Number 15 October 2007 Inspection date Jenny Scarlett 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 works with another childminder in her own home. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged nine and seven years in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is 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 registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children, three of whom are under eight years. All placements are currently part time. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent / toddler group. The family has a dog. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and / or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is working towards gaining a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in Early Years Childcare and Education.

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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 a clean, well maintained environment where they learn about the importance of good personal hygiene and care. They are protected from infection as the childminder has a positive health policy that informs parents that children should remain at home until they are well. Children have access to the ground floor toilet which promotes their independence. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a current paediatric first aid certificate and feels confident to administer treatment when necessary. She has clear written agreements from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activities which contribute to their good health and they have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they play in the large, well equipped garden. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs and parental wishes. Parents provide packed lunches for their children. However, the childminder will provide nutritious meals in consultation with parents, taking account of individual children's dietary requirements. She provides snacks and drinks and reminds children to drink regularly to keep them hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming home where potential risks and hazards are identified and action taken to minimise them. The childminder shows awareness of children's developing abilities and ensures appropriate safety measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations developing, for example, providing a safety barrier prevents unsupervised access to the stairs. These precautions enables children of all ages to move around the childminder's home safely and independently. Children stay safe on outings because the childminder has good procedures in place. These include laminated information cards, identity tags, written emergency details and consents for transporting children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have use of a wide range of suitable and safe equipment for both indoor and outside play. They benefit from the well organised play environment and select resources from the wide range on offer. The childminder regularly checks toys and equipment to ensure they clean and safe for children to use and play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from possible abuse or neglect because the childminder has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities whilst safeguarding children in her care. She is familiar with local safeguarding procedures for recording information and referral, knowing who to contact should she have concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care. She provides a range of developmentally appropriate activities which take account of who is attending and what their interests are. Children are able to independently choose from a wide selection of toys and resources building on their natural curiosity as well as participating in more structured activities such as art and craft. Children enjoy playing in the childminder's large garden where the tree house, swings and wheeled toys appeal to them.

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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 Children show good concentration skills and persist at activities such as the shape sorter. They explore how to match the correct shapes. The childminder joins in the activities, she helps the children to identify colours and counts how many shapes there are. She is skilled in encouraging the children to think and help them learn. She communicates well with the younger children through gestures, facial expressions and speech. This helps the children to develop their early language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident in their relationships with the childminder because she values and respects them as individuals. This helps to promote a sense of well-being and aids their emotional development. Children learn about the world around them through planned activities and free choice play with a range of resources which reflect positive images of the wider world. Children are encouraged to be polite and behave well. The childminder shares details of her house rules and boundaries with parents and children. She uses strategies which take account of children's level of understanding and maturity to manage unacceptable behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care, welfare and learning are promoted because the childminder develops positive working relationships with parents. By showing parents her childminding portfolio, the childminder shares her policies and procedures and other helpful information with parents. However, the complaints procedure includes incorrect information about how to contact Ofsted. Flexible settling in procedures mean that children settle well and parents are able to confidently leave their children in the childminder's care. The childminder writes a daily diary for the parents of young children in addition to the daily verbal exchanges. This information ensures parents know what their child has been doing and how they have been during the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space, routines and resources are organised effectively to ensure the children are comfortable and content in the childminder's care. Children have opportunities for free choice play as well as more structured activities in the safe and secure environment. The childminder has thought carefully about which areas of her home to use for childminding. This ensure children have suitable and sufficient space to initiate and extend their play while ensuring privacy for her family. Children's care and welfare are safeguarded by clear documentation. Policies and procedures are shared with parents to ensure transparency in the service provided. Records are stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. The childminder updates her knowledge by attending short term training such as Child Protection and first aid. In addition she is currently working towards the NVQ Level 3 qualification in Early Childcare and Education. The childminder

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Organisation

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 asked to introduce key written polices for parents, including a complaints procedure with Ofsted's contact details and review procedure for obtaining consent for medicines. Children's care, welfare and learning are promoted because the childminder develops positive working relationships with parents. The childminder has implemented clear policies and procedures which are shared with parents to ensure transparency in the service provided. However, the complaints procedure includes incorrect information

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Improvements 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 about how to contact Ofsted. In addition the childminder has clear, written agreements and consents from parents to administer medicines. This means children's welfare is safeguarded.

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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 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): • ensure accurate contact details for Ofsted are available for parents.

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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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