Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY362393 Unique Reference Number 21 July 2008 Inspection date Penny Wood Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and three year old son in Andover, Hampshire. The whole of the home is registered for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years old at any one time and currently has two children on roll aged one and three years old. She is able to walk and drive to local schools and pre-schools. The family have a cat.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a good understanding of good hygiene procedures which reduce the spread of germs and infections. They regularly clean their hands, particularly after visiting the toilet and before eating. A small poster within the toilet reminds children to wash their hands and the provision of individual towels restricts the spread of germs between children.

p.2

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 benefit from a clear sickness policy which is shared with parents. For example, when she or her children are ill, the childminder does not care for minded children in order to restrict the spread of illness. In the event of an accident the children receive appropriate medical care from the childminder who maintains a current first aid certificate. Documentation recording such events contains clear information and is shared with parents, informing them of the care their children receive.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular opportunities to participate in physical exercise which promotes their good health. They enjoy visits to local play parks, indoor play centres and opportunities to play in the shaded garden. Free access to drinks throughout the day ensures children are able to see to their own needs when thirsty. Children enjoy a healthy range of snacks, such as fruit and raisins. The childminder endeavours to provide children with healthy options for lunch, based on foods which they enjoy. Records of children’s allergies ensure the childminder only provides foods which are suitable for children’s dietary needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good amount of space which allows them to play freely within the living room and conservatory. The garden offers plenty of shade during the summer months, which protects children from the harmful effects of the sun. Children enjoy access to a good range of toys, which are regularly checked to ensure they are safe for children to play with. When providing toys the childminder is mindful of ensuring that young children do not have access to toys which are unsuitable for their age, particularly those which present a choking hazard.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good safety precautions in place within the home promote children's safety. For example, the use of stair gates prevents children’s access to hazardous areas such as the kitchen. When on outings, the childminder’s good practice promotes children’s safety. For example, children are encouraged to look out for traffic before crossing the road.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing an excellent understanding of emergency procedures through enjoyable activities provided by the childminder. For example, children have enjoyed making and decorating their own cardboard flames which were later used to signify the location of a fire during a practice of the evacuation procedure. Children benefit from the childminder’s knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and the use of her child protection policy as a working tool to inform her practice.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and at ease in the childminder’s care. They experience a very good range of activities and play opportunities and are occupied well throughout the day. Children play well alongside each other and are developing very good imaginations during their role play games. The childminder enables children to follow their own interests and provides toys and resources on children’s request. For example, following a minor injury, children chose to play with a doctor’s kit and asked the childminder to bandage different parts of their bodies.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy variety in their play. The childminder rotates the toys and resources to ensure children remain interested. During their play, the childminder gently adds suggestions in order to extend children’s experiences, such as suggesting the dolls may like a tea party in the children’s den.

p.3

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 enjoy a good range of outings which enables them to gain an understanding of the wider world, such as trips to play parks and local attractions. Weekly trips to toddler groups enable them to develop their social skills and to meet other children of similar ages.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is developing her systems for recording children’s learning in preparation for the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Large scrap books display photographs of children at play with clear annotation on how children are learning.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the attention they receive from the childminder who shares her time well between those present. The childminder ensures that all children are able to participate in activities and plenty of resources are available at all times to ensure children are involved and enjoying their play.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing their awareness of the wider world through an appropriate range of resources which depict positive images of culture and disabilities. Good systems ensure that all children receive appropriate support and their individual needs are met.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the calm approach adopted by the childminder in managing their behaviour. Good systems ensure children receive clear guidelines, which are age appropriate and understandable to the children, such as instructions not to stand on the furniture.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder values the relationship developed between her and children’s parents. Good strategies to share detailed information with parents, such as her policies and procedures, ensure they are informed of the childminder’s provision and responsibilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the information gained from parents which enables her to provide care according to their routines and individual needs. Daily diaries and scrap books are shared with parents, offering them a good insight into their child’s time in her care. Should parents wish to raise an issue with the childminder a complaints policy informs them of the childminder’s procedure. However, the required system for recording concerns is not sufficiently planned to ensure all aspects of a concern are sufficiently recorded.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is appropriately qualified having completed the introduction to childminding course and is in possession of a current first aid certificate. The childminder values the benefits of attending further training opportunities in order to develop her practice and to develop her professional expertise.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder organises her time and home well and provides children with a good range of experiences and opportunities. She has good systems in place when working with an assistant to ensure parents are informed of her role.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures which she refers to for guidance in her practice. All documentation is available for inspection, stored securely and maintains confidentiality.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable. This is the first inspection since registration.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • further develop the system for recording complaints and concerns received in writing

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5