Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY365652 Unique Reference Number 19 May 2008 Inspection date Jacqueline Munden 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 2007. She lives with her two children in St Deny's, Southampton. The ground floor is used for childminding with bathroom facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a cat.

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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. She is currently minding three children under eight years on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National and Southampton Childminding Associations and holds the National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in childcare and education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s good health is promoted well by the childminder who has a sound understanding of health, hygiene and nutrition. Children learn about good personal hygiene as they are reminded to wash their hands before eating and to cover their mouths when they cough. Effective

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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 procedures ensure the risk of cross-infection is minimised as children use individual towels to dry their hands and individual changing mats are used when changing nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health records are maintained appropriately. Although there have been no accidents or medicine administered since the childminder started caring for children, she is fully aware of how to record them. The childminder is generally well prepared to respond to emergencies as she has a current first aid certificate and carries a first aid kit and emergency contact numbers with her on outings. However, she has not yet obtained parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes a healthy lifestyle by encouraging regular physical exercise. Children develop their large muscles as they use the swing and trampoline in the garden. They play with sand and move around in wheeled toys. They walk to local parks and toddler groups. Babies and young children learning to walk use suitable equipment to develop the muscles they need to sit and stand. Shade is provided over the paddling pool enabling children to play without risk to their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy meals and snacks provided by both parents and the childminder. These are healthy and nutritious. The childminder ensures drinks are always available and she ensures children’s individual needs are met by obtaining information of children’s dietary requirements.

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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 relaxed and comfortable environment. They select from a generally good range of play equipment and books that are available, all of which are safe and clean.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to play and move about freely and safely in and outdoors whilst being supervised at all times. The premises are secure and the childminder has minimised risks within the home. For example, cleaning materials and the stairs are inaccessible. The childminder ensures children are protected regarding fire as smoke detectors and a fire blanket are in place. They learn to keep themselves safe as they practise the evacuation procedure and are reminded about moving carefully up and down the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well safeguarded as the childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and recognises her role and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm. She has a policy that is shared with parents and has obtained relevant consent from parents to ensure children are well protected, such as, permission to take photographs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children happily explore the activities on offer. They relate well to the childminder who offers a caring environment. The childminder is familiar with the children she cares for and ensures their care routines are met well. The childminder has a sound understanding of child development and how to ensure children's care and learning is promoted. She provides a good range of resources that children find interesting and that meet their developmental needs; she plans her days to ensure children have a variety of experiences in and out of the home. They develop social skills as they visit toddler groups and physical play sessions. Children particularly enjoy playing outdoors and 'touch the sky' as they jump and stretch on the trampoline. They use their imaginations well as they become engrossed in role play with dolls and caring for 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 The childminder encourages this as she asks the babies name and offers the pushchairs to extend their play. Children learn about living things; in the garden they look at the differences between flies and bees. Babies start to reach for toys and show great interest in others as they respond to the childminder. She engages them with eye contact and lots of chatter and provides resources that interest them. Therefore they are happy and develop well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They develop strong relationships quickly due to the nurturing environment, which means children feel secure. Babies enjoy the closeness of being held when fed and children are confident to ask for help and reach to her for a cuddle. They become confident as they are invited to make choices of activities they take part in and feel valued as the childminder listens to them and takes an interest in what they say and do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and they respond well to her calm and consistent manner. She encourages children to learn good manners as they are encouraged to say 'please' and 'thank you'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are starting to learn about diversity although they do not have many opportunities to play with resources and books that promote all people in society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude to supporting those with learning difficulties and disabilities. She has attended training and would work closely with parents to ensure children are supported appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops close relationships with parents. She is familiar with children's families and routines through regular open discussions; they share information as children arrive and leave. Parents are given a wide range of written information about the childminder's care and good practice. However, they are not informed fully of the childminder's procedure for complaints. The notice board is used to display other information regarding registration and the education of children for parents to see at all times.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. All aspects of the childminder's care are generally well organised. She is experienced and well qualified and committed to improving her skills further by attending training. She spends her time concentrating on the needs of children. The environment is welcoming and well planned allowing children to move around freely and access play materials independently. Most documentation, including her own written policies, contributes to children's good health, safety and wellbeing. Children's records are maintained well and stored in a confidential manner.

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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

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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.

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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): • increase the range of resources available to children that promote positive images of all people in society • obtain parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment and ensure they are fully informed of the childminder's complaints policy.

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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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