Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY303824 Unique Reference Number 25 October 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 2005 and works closely with her husband, who is also a registered childminder. They live with their school-aged child on the outskirts of Aldershot, Hampshire. The downstairs area of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, with sleeps for younger children taken upstairs. There is a secure garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. When working together with her husband the maximum number of children minded must not exceed seven. There are currently seven children on roll. The childminder takes and collects children from school and attends the local childminders toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children play in a clean, warm and well-ventilated accommodation. They receive protection from illness through the childminder sharing her written sickness procedure with parents. This ensures unwell children do not attend, which prevents the spread of infection. Children have their medical needs met through the childminder administering prescribed medication appropriately and sharing her records with parents. Children receive appropriate care following minor accidents and the childminder has up-to-date first aid training. However, the childminder does not have parental consents for requesting emergency medical advice or treatment to further support children following an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder following home routines around sleeps. Younger children know which is their cot and settle quickly for their rests. This ensures they have sufficient energy to cope well with their day. Toddlers confidently approach the childminder and her husband for a hug or to sit on their lap. This provides good emotional support.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about hygiene through following daily routines. They wash their hands 'to get rid of germs' before meal and snack times. They sit up to the clean table for meals and use cutlery appropriately. Children have good diets and eat cooked lunch and tea which the childminder prepares from fresh, often organic, ingredients. Children develop personal preferences although the childminder always encourages them to eat everything that is offered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to play outside in fine weather. They use garden equipment such as seesaws, wheeled toys, the slide and trampet. They play football on the nearby green or visit the park to use the large apparatus. Some children walk to school. Indoors, toddlers develop confidence as they learn to walk as they chase small balls or dance to music. This supports their health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in premises that are secure and in good decorative order. The childminder takes steps to remove most hazards, such as by securing the garden gate and making resources safely accessible to the children on low shelves and storage boxes. Children play with toys that are in good condition and appropriate for their ages. There is a safety gate to prevent children accessing the kitchen but this is not always used when cooking is in process. Although the childminder is vigilant and children know not to go into the kitchen, this presents a hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children sleep safely. She uses a baby monitor and every room has a smoke detector. The childminder shares her written fire procedure with parents. However, children do not practise the fire drill to help ensure the safe evacuation of the building in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to play safely as they develop control when using toys such as the trampet, slide and seesaw. Indoors toddlers develop confidence as they move quickly about the room chasing toys. Children learn to cut safely with the childminder's support as they use a knife to chop fruit for smoothies or use scissors. Children have further challenges when they visit the park to use large apparatus with the childminder providing support as necessary. This helps children develop awareness of risk and how to manage it safely.

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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 Children receive protection through the childminder being aware of the signs of possible abuse. She shares her written procedure with parents and shares her existing injuries record with them. The childminder has the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures on file for reference which contain the contact numbers for Social Services, should a concern need reporting. This safeguards the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children happily engage in the activities available and settle well. They develop friendly relationships with the childminder and her husband, toddlers especially like to go to them for a hug or to sit on their lap. Young children develop confidence as they move about freely and select their resources. They make connections as they press toys with buttons that flash or make noises. They dance to music, do action rhymes and play instruments as childminder sings nursery rhymes. The childminder repeats their sounds and words and they pretend to speak into play telephones. This helps them develop their language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

School-aged children concentrate well as they play boxed games together independently and with the childminder's support. They try out new drawing ideas the childminder introduces, such as ways of creating patterns and of holding the crayon to colour them in more effectively. Children show a sense of achievement in their finished pictures and show them to the childminder and her husband, who praise their efforts. Children make independent choices about their activities. Toddler's toys are particularly accessible while resources for older children are stored on higher shelves. Children confidently ask for any games that they want, which the childminder then gets down for them. Children maintain interest in the selection available through the childminder rotating equipment regularly. Children attending after school do their homework at the table, with the childminder giving support if they require any.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop independence well. Toddlers develop control as they feed themselves finger foods at snack time and use a spoon at lunchtime. Older children clear away their dirty bowls after lunch. They look after their personal hygiene well, taking themselves to wash their hands and to use the toilet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children usually go out daily, weather permitting, to play football, visit the park or play in the garden. They take trips to the library for story time or occasionally go further afield, such as to the beach. Children meet up with other childminders and their children for picnics or visits to a farm. This provides children with exciting activities to anticipate activities and opportunities to socialise with others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good partnership the childminder establishes with their parents. Parents show their appreciation of the care and support they receive in written testimonials. The childminder seeks information from parents about children's individual care and home routines through discussion and the completion of contracts and child detail forms. She is aware of their cultural and religious backgrounds and reflects these within the setting through planned activities and resources. Parents learn about the provision through sharing the childminder's comprehensive portfolio, which clearly sets out the policies and procedures, sample menu's and background information about the family. The childminder shares records and information with parents on a daily basis during handover. This provides good continuity of care.

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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 Children learn about social diversity through activities such as dressing up and reading stories. They reflect their own culture as they make Easter cakes and toffee apples at Halloween and do art and craft activities to reflect Hindu and Muslim festivals. Children learn about their community as they attend toddler groups, the library or go shopping. However, there are no resources to reflect positive images of disability to further widen their understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children know they are valued as individuals by the childminder. They have their pictures on display and their own drawer for their belongings. They confidently ask for their needs. Toddlers freely approach both childminder's to give them a hug or pat them with affection. This shows they have a sense of belonging. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities receive appropriate support. The childminder identifies any difficulties the child has and promptly liaises with parents. Parents share advice and set activities from therapists for the childminder to continue in her setting. This supports children well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and clearly understand the rules for behaviour. They play happily together and share well. The childminder praises children for being helpful and is very consistent in her approach. Toddlers immediately know if they have acted inappropriately, such as if they hit another child, as they have to sit to one side for a short period. This gives children clear boundaries for behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder and her husband work closely together and form a strong team. They have clearly designated tasks, such as particular school runs, which are known to the parents and children. The childminder organises the provision well, creating a welcoming environment for children. Children have space for their activities on the floor and up to the table and have direct access to the garden. The childminder is careful to manage her time effectively, particularly around school runs, to ensure children are secure and on time. Children benefit from the childminder developing and implementing appropriate policies and procedures. She keeps documentation up to date and shares records with parents. She has most parental consents in place, such as for transporting children in a vehicle and for taking children on outings. This supports the children's safety and welfare.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder maintaining close links with the Aldershot Childcare Association. This provides her with opportunities to discuss and evaluate her provision and changes within the childcare field. She considers her professional development and has attended first aid and Birth to three matters training. The childminder has also applied for Level 3 Children's Care Learning and Development training. This supports the continual development of the provision for children.

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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 provision for younger children, make cleaning materials safe, attend first aid training and seek consents from parents for requesting emergency medical treatment.

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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 The childminder has attended training for Birth to three matters to support her provision for young children. Children now have good access to their toys, which they find stimulating and developmentally appropriate. This supports their development well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has moved house since the previous inspection and there is no longer any low unsafe glass except on the front door, which children do not access. Children are unable to access any cleaning materials as they are now in cupboards with child-safe catches. This ensures children's safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed a paediatric first aid course. This means she is able to provide appropriate support to the children following an accident.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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): • seek written consent from parents for requesting emergency medical advice and/or treatment • practise the fire evacuation procedure with the children • ensure children cannot access the kitchen when the cooker is in use.

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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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