Childminder in Hampshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY278450 Inspection date 07/11/2008 Inspector Penny Wood

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years old in Andover, Hampshire. All areas of the home are registered for childminding and due to the layout of the premises, the areas used by children are on different levels. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently has three children on roll aged between eight months and 11 years old. She is able to walk to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a caring environment for children. She ensures children are suitably occupied with an accessible range of age appropriate toys. She shares her time well between those present to ensure all receive support and enjoy their play. The childminder liaises well with parents to enable her to meet children’s individual needs. The childminder takes appropriate steps to develop her practice, such as attending training on the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has addressed the actions set at the last inspection, and as a result, is able to provide improved care for the children, particularly in an emergency.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop understanding of the learning and development requirements, in particular the system for assessing and identifying children's next steps in their learning  develop a system to formally evaluate practice and the provision for children  ensure all hazardous chemicals are stored appropriately

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provision

The childminder provides satisfactory care and experiences for children. Although she does not formally evaluate all aspects of her provision, she has an understanding of her strengths and the areas which she would like to develop. The childminder maintains appropriate records, although the daily register is not always completed upon children’s arrival. Documentation is stored securely and maintains confidentiality.

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provision

The childminder organises her home well and takes appropriate steps to reduce most risks for children. For example, she uses gates to prevent children from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accessing the stairs and ensures all sockets are covered, although not all hazardous chemicals are stored out of children’s reach within the kitchen. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, which enables her to safeguard children’s wellbeing.

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provision

Appropriate systems, such as the completion of a daily diary keeps parents informed of their child’s time in her care. Parents are also able to view children’s scrapbooks on request. During initial meetings and on request, parents have access to the childminder’s policies and procedures, which inform them of her practice and procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder’s care. Children participate in a good range of activities, such as singing, music and a variety of arts and crafts. Where appropriate, activities are adapted according to the ages and abilities of children participating to ensure all are included and able to take an active role. Activities encourage children to make appropriate progress across all areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder does not formally plan activities, but provides a balance of activities throughout the week depending on children’s dispositions on the day and their interests. The childminder maintains scrapbooks and daily diaries for individual children, which detail activities and play opportunities provided, the relevant area of learning and observations on children. However, the records do not record individual children’s learning or targets for their next steps in development in order to maximise potential learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children confidently explore the appropriate range of toys, which are accessible to them within the living room. The childminder rotates the toys to ensure children experience variety and remain interested in their play. Children enjoy outings to local attractions, such as play parks and soft play centres, which enable them to be physically active, to develop their co-ordination skills and to build muscle strength. When on outings, the childminder encourages children to develop their awareness of road safety. For example, they stop at the side of the road and look for cars before crossing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing positive self-esteem because of the praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. They play on the floor, with the childminder close by to offer support where required. Children are developing their emerging language skills because the childminder engages them in discussion, such as talking about colours and the height of towers they build out of stacking cups.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

During the routines of the day, children follow appropriate hygiene routines, which reduce the spread of germs and infections. For example, they wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating. Exclusion times for children when they are ill promote children’s wellbeing and prevent the illness from spreading. The home, toys and equipment are clean and well maintained. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children behave well because of the appropriate strategies implemented to manage their behaviour, which are adapted according to the ages of children concerned. The childminder ensures children have sufficient resources to play with and encourages them to take turns when appropriate. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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