Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349815 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2008 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington 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 has been registered since 2007. She lives with her husband and child in a flat in Hook in Hampshire. Local transport facilities, parks and toddler groups are nearby. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is registered for overnight care. There are currently two children on roll. Children have access to the sitting room, the bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom. There is no garden, however, there are nearby parks and playgrounds available for outside play. The family have two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Snack and meal times are happy social occasions at the table where children enjoy a variety of healthy snacks and meals. For example, a snack of raisins and banana or crackers with a drink of milk, water or squash provides the children with energy to continue their activities. Drinks are freely available ensuring children do not become dehydrated.

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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 Children learn simple good hygiene routines to prevent the spread of germs. They know the routine and wash their hands before snack time and after toileting, using their own individual towels to dry their hands. Appropriate important health information is obtained from parents and carers enabling health and dietary issues to be managed efficiently. A comprehensive range of first aid materials are easily accessible and a small first aid kit is taken on outings ensuring that accidents can be dealt with efficiently and effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children demonstrate increasing control and co-ordination as they use the skittles and ball, complete puzzles, use pencils and crayons and construction toys. Each day they walk to local activities and visit the park, where they have opportunities to run and climb. They dress appropriately and enjoy their activity irrespective of the weather, ensuring they get fresh air and physical activity everyday.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from an environment where good consideration has been given to making them and their families feel welcome. They have use of the lounge, hallway and child’s bedroom for their play. Toys and resources are all very good quality and stored at low level enabling children to make choices in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good consideration is given to promoting safety in the setting. Children practise evacuating the premises each month ensuring they can leave the first floor flat swiftly if they need to. Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are all in place to promote safety. Sensible measures ensure small children cannot enter the kitchen or bathroom without supervision. Children learn sensible safety routines when they go on outings to ensure they behave safely near roads. The childminder talks to them about dangers at a level suitable to their understanding encouraging them to behave safely both in the home and on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's sound understanding and awareness of child protection issues. A clear policy supports her practice and information leaflets are available promoting good practice regarding child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good variety of activities both in the home and in the local community which help to build their skills. A simple daily routine helps the children to feel secure and confident in the setting where they are building positive relationships with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder sits at the children's level and encourages their play providing a variety of interesting activities for them. She recognises the children's need to have opportunity for stimulating activity, physical activity and times of peaceful rest and this is built into the routine. For example, the children enjoy a skittle game, standing the skittles up and throwing the ball to knock them over, they make choices using puzzles and construction toys before sitting together to enjoy their snack. Pencils, paper and crayons are freely available enabling the children to make marks and create pictures as they wish. Children naturally count and identify their colours and shapes with the encouragement of the childminder as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities in the local community enable the children to meet other children and develop their social skills with children and adults. They enjoy visits to the local soft play areas where they

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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 develop their physical abilities and a recent visit to a farm enabled the children to learn about animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to meet many people and develop their awareness of their local community. They have access to toys and books which reflect a diverse community and the childminder plans activities and stories which increase children's awareness of other people’s lives. The childminder demonstrates an appropriate awareness of how to adapt to meet differing needs ensuring that all children’s needs can be met effectively whilst they are in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop their abilities to share and co-operate with others as they play games together and follow the daily routine. They use good manners following the childminder's positive example. Consistent boundaries and expectations help the children to feel secure and develop an awareness of right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed of their children's activities through informal conversations, a newsletter and information displayed in the hallway of the premises. Policies are comprehensive and cover all areas of practice although some do not reflect the positive service offered. Parents do not have clear information regarding the emergency childminders.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder clearly enjoys her work with children, she relates to them well and develops positive relationships. She is continuing to develop her knowledge and skills through studying and has obtained her first aid certificate.

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Organisation

All the relevant documentation is maintained to meet the requirements of registration. Good care is taken to promote children’s health and safety, and to enable children to make a positive contribution to society. Children feel secure and happy, therefore, have good opportunities to enjoy and achieve in the childminders care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 may see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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): • improve partnership with parents policy • improve information for parents regarding emergency arrangements.

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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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