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 EY253766 Inspection date 28/01/2009 Inspector Lynne Elizabeth Lewington

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in a three bedroom, terrace property in Tadley. Local parks, shops and schools are within walking distance. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor of the property including the lounge, dining room and supervised access to the kitchen. The bedrooms are used for rest. A secure garden to the rear of the property and the front garden are used for activities. Two small steps lead up to the front door and toilet facilities are on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years. Currently, there are nine children on roll; four are in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children experience excellent opportunities to develop their awareness of how to stay safe, be healthy, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being with the childminder. Comprehensive steps are taken to ensure that every child's individuality is recognised and respected. The childminder's commitment to her role has encouraged her to thoroughly self- evaluate her service and develop her knowledge and skills through many training opportunities. Through her own honest analysis of her service she identifies areas she feels need improvement and takes positive steps to implement changes, indicating that she will continue to constructively develop the service she offers.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 further development of the outdoor environment to enable daily opportunities for independent outdoor activity.

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provision

The childminder is confident and knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of abuse and the action she would take to safeguard a child in her care. Clear comprehensive information regarding safeguarding children is available for parents to see, ensuring all users of the service understand what action to take if there are concerns about a child.

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provision

A true partnership develops with parents due to the welcome the children and their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 families receive. Appropriate clear information about the service offered is available and parents provide detailed information about their children enabling the childminder to fully understand each child. Sensible settling in routines and daily information sharing all enable parents to feel confident in the care their children receive. The childminder sought the views of parents and children by using a questionnaire. All spoke very favourably of the service offered.

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provision

The childminder self-evaluates her service regularly and has clear ideas of how she can further develop the service she offers for the benefit of the children in her care. This includes improving her mathematical resources and outdoor environment. Recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed to ensure a safer environment for young children when using the bathroom and toilet facilities. The childminder demonstrates her knowledge and understanding of young children and their development in her interaction with the children and in her comprehensive observations and records of their development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their play and activity with the childminder because she strives to make it a happy, secure environment where they can explore and develop their interests. The environment is organised with the children's needs in mind. For example, the toys for the youngest children are all stored at low level enabling them to see and access the toys independently whilst resources for the older children are stored at a higher level. Furniture is organised allowing for the needs of the children attending. The youngest children need space to crawl and access to solid items to enable them to pull themselves to standing and take first steps safely. A low level table and chairs enables children to easily sit to undertake mark making or puzzles. Secure, good quality travel cots with fresh sheets and covers provide a cosy place to sleep.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of providing a familiar routine to help children to feel secure and confident. For example, a two year old knows the routines after lunch and chooses a book independently for a story before naptime. After sitting cuddled with the childminder for the story the child happily rests in the cot. Ensuring children are rested and well fed helps to keep them happy and interested in the activities on offer.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Comprehensive safety measures throughout the premises and sensible routines on outings all help to keep children safe. A comprehensive risk assessment is in place, fire drills are undertaken and the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of the need to constantly review safety measures as children's abilities increase.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The premises are clean and well maintained providing a hygienic environment for young children's care. Sensible hygiene routines are followed and children demonstrate their increasing knowledge of good hygiene practices. Whilst a secure garden is available it is not used daily in the winter to provide opportunities for outside play and discovery.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy healthy, nutritious food either provided by their own families or by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder. Drinks are available throughout the day to ensure children do not become dehydrated. The childminder provides information for parents regarding healthy eating in order to encourage healthy lunchboxes. Last year children attempted to grow strawberries and the childminder plans to grow more fruit and vegetables with the children this year to increase their awareness of where food comes from and healthy eating.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a very good knowledge of how children benefit from following their interests. For example, when children were interested in the ice they undertook experiments with the ice. Children have many opportunities to develop their social skills as they meet other children and adults regularly at events and parks in the local community. Comprehensive resources and planned activities help them understand and respect our diverse society. The childminder uses props, books and games to support children's learning about diversity and safety. They have talked about what it might be like to be blind and learned about Chinese New Year, tasted Chinese food, used chop sticks and looked at Chinese writing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a broad range of activities undertaken in the home and in the local community. They paint and create their own pictures, use books to support their learning and enjoy story books to feed their imaginations. Pencils and paper are freely available enabling children to develop their mark making abilities. They sort and match as they play games and complete puzzles; they count as they walk up and down stairs, find items and sing songs. They engage in imaginary play, dress up and undertake adventures in the park where they make dens. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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