Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY365660 Unique Reference Number 23 June 2008 Inspection date Heidi Wilton 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 and lives with her husband and their two daughters aged over eight years in a residential area of Fareham, in Hampshire. The property is within close proximity to the local school, shops and parks. The childminder is registered to provide care for four children aged under eight years. She currently minds two children under eight years and four children over eight years on a part-time basis. Minded children have access to all areas of the home with toilet facilities on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play and the family have a range of domestic pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children foster a clear awareness of good hygiene procedures. They wash their hands with soap and water before meals and after using the toilet. In addition, children dry their hands with separate hand towels which further prevents the spread of infection. The childminder has a sickness policy in place which she shares with parents. This ensures parents are well informed of incubation periods should their child contract a communicable illness. The childminder has

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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 gained written parental permissions to seek or gain emergency medical advice or treatment. However, these written parental permissions are not consistently with the childminder at all times, such as when she takes children on outings. This does not ensure children will always be treated without delay in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents currently provide their own food for their children and the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to store food appropriately and at the correct temperature. She has a checklist where she records the fridge temperature and checks all food to ensure it is not out-of-date. The childminder is keen to attend training in food and hygiene to enhance her childcare practice. She gains information from parents both verbally and written about their children's dietary and allergy requirements. This ensures the childminder is well informed and children are kept safe.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children engage with a variety of physical activity. They walk to and from the local schools and enjoy going to the park to play on the play equipment. Children have fun at the local beach and large grassy areas where they play a variety of ball games. They enjoy going to local play zones and soft play areas and have fun playing within the childminder's garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder keeps children safe and secure. All doors are secured when not in use and the childminder has good procedures to ensure children are collected by their designated person. The childminder has attached large, fun stickers to the glass on the doors leading to the garden. This ensures children can see when the doors are open or closed. The childminder has written parental permissions in place such as taking children on outings and taking photographs. This ensures parents are well informed and children are kept safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder talks to the children about safety rules, such as crossing roads safely. She encourages children to look and listen and make decisions about when it is safe to cross under her supervision. This equips children with the tools to keep themselves safe in the future. The childminder completes risk assessments for the walk to and from school and for the inside and outside of her home. This ensures hazards are identified and minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection procedures. She shows a clear understanding of how to record signs and symptoms. The childminder shares a child protection policy with parents detailing her professional responsibility regarding child protection. She is keen to attend further training in this area to update and enhance her knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder offers settling in visits to parents and their children at the outset. She works with parents effectively for what works best for them. The childminder communicates verbally with parents about their child's starting points and preferences and additionally gains this in writing on the children's record forms. This enables the childminder to create a smooth transition from the main carer to her own home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy when they arrive at the childminder's home and eagerly find activities to participate with. They engage with a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, board games, dressing up and small world play. Children enjoy going through the well resourced dressing up

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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 box and giggle as they dress as dragons, wizards and princesses. The childminder has a wide variety of different age and stage related books on many book shelves. She encourages children to choose books and reads the stories alongside or to the children. The childminder ensures children are kept stimulated and interested as she rotates the toys and resources regularly to ensure children have new experiences to explore. She often takes children to the local beach where they have fun collecting pebbles and stones. The childminder extends this learning further with the children by looking at research books to find the pebbles and stones and identify their names.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has created good bonds with the children and communicates with them about their interests. She meets the needs of children by providing resources which the children show an interest in. The childminder takes time to listen to the children and she responds to what they say to ensure they feel valued for what they are saying. The childminder has a 'chill out' room in one of the upstairs bedrooms where older children can go to relax and have quiet time. They are able to interact on the computer which has been made child friendly to ensure they are safe when accessing the internet. Young children are able to sleep in travel cots in this room or alternatively can rest and relax on the large sofas in the lounge area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values all the children as individuals and shows them equal respect. She has a variety of multicultural resources such as books and small world play. Children enjoy dressing up in sheets to make saris and listen to music from different cultures. The childminder works hard to include all the children within her care, such as changing the style of taps in the downstairs bathroom to enable all children to turn them on and off independently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of learning difficulties and/or disabilities from other employments and with her own family. She is sensitive to children's individual needs and works with parents and outside agencies to ensure consistency in care is achieved. She continues strategies set by outside medical professionals and works hard to communicate regularly with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and the childminder uses consistent behavioural strategies with them. She uses positive praise and encouragement for their achievements and good behaviour. In addition, she has incorporated rewards charts, stickers and certificates for their good behaviour and achievements. The children have created a set of ground rules each and the childminder displays these, encouraging and reminding children to keep to the rules. The childminder communicates with parents at the end of the day about their children's behaviour. This ensures parents are well informed and consistent behaviour strategies can be achieved between the home and the setting. She communicates verbally with parents each day and passes messages between the school and parents to ensure all are well informed. The childminder ensures parents know they can approach her at anytime. She meets with parents at the outset to ensure they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are well informed about her provision, policies and routines. Parents are given copies of the policies and procedures which they can keep. This enables parents to refer to the information within their own homes.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She organises the environment effectively to enable children to freely access toys and resources from low level shelving units. The childminder ensures she remains within ratios and displays her certificate to ensure parents are fully informed of her conditions of registration.

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Organisation

The childminder has gained an up-to-date paediatric first aid qualification. This ensures she is able to treat children appropriately in an accident or emergency. She has completed her initial childminding qualification and is keen to attend further training such as child protection and food and hygiene. This will further enhance her expertise and knowledge in childcare.

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Organisation

The childminder records children into an attendance register at the actual times of arrival and departure and visitors are recorded into a visitor's log. This ensures everyone is accounted for in a fire or emergency. The childminder stores all documentation securely to maintain confidentiality.

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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 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 written parental permission to seek or gain emergency medical advice or treatment is consistently accessible at all times • continue to further develop knowledge and understanding of childcare.

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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 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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