Childminder in Portsmouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302642 Inspection date 12 October 2005 Inspector Lynn Reeves

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and their two children aged under 8 years in a residential area of North End, Portsmouth in Hampshire. The childminder is registered to provide care for four children aged under 8 years and is currently minding one child on a part-time basis. The property is within close proximity to schools, shops and parks. Children have access to all areas of the home on the ground floor, with toilet and rest facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted with regular walks to the park and when walking to and from school, where they benefit from fresh air and gentle exercise. Children develop their large muscle control as they play on ride-on-toys, scooters, swings and the trampoline in the garden and when they visit indoor soft play areas. Children experience a clean and hygienic environment because the childminder has effective procedures in place to promote their good health; for example, wearing disposable gloves for nappy changing and providing individual face flannels and towels for each child. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting; however, hand washing was not evident before eating snacks to prevent the spread of infection. The children receive a good care package for their individual needs because the childminder has effective procedures in place for the recording of accidents and the

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Helping children to be healthy

administration of medication. The childminder has a relevant first aid qualification and a well maintained first aid box to ensure children's illness or injury can be dealt with effectively. Children benefit from a healthy diet as they are provided with an excellent range of home prepared cooked meals, fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. Examples of menus are prepared for parents and their wishes are respected regarding children's dietary needs, which are recorded on children's records. Children are provided with a range of healthy and nutritious snacks and access fresh drinking water from a dispenser to help keep them healthy.

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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 well organised, child friendly environment, where they are able to move around the allotted areas with safety and independence. Children's own artwork and creations are displayed on the walls making them feel valued. Children are provided with a good range of quality play provisions, which they can access easily as they are displayed at low level to enable them to make their own choices. These are regularly checked for damage and cleanliness to ensure children's safety. Children enjoy a safe and secure environment because the childminder is vigilant and aware of potential hazards. Children learn about possible dangers through discussion and routines; for example, they discuss why they shouldn’t jump on the furniture and throw things in the house as someone will get hurt. Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder has good procedures in place for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

maintaining their supervision and safety. For example, she uses a buggy or reigns, reminds the children to hold hands, finds safe places to cross and talks to the children about road safety. The childminder fully safeguards children's safety by

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 carrying a first aid kit and emergency contact details at all times. Children are protected as the childminder has a sound understanding of the child protection procedures and is aware of who to report her concerns to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have many opportunities to develop a range of skills in a stimulating environment. The childminder builds strong relationships with the children, which contribute to their sense of belonging. She gets down at the children's level, taking an active part in their play and extending their learning, asking them to name the colours and shapes of the bricks. Children enjoy the company of the childminder and are confident to engage her in their play, she interacts well, although, knows when to stand back to let them initiate their own play, which enable the children to feel secure and develop a sense of belonging. Children are becoming skilful communicators as they play together and repeat words as the childminder names the animals in the ark. Children use their imagination well as they play with dolls, removing the clothes and finding the nappies and bottles to change and feed them. Their curiosity is stimulated as they play with bubble wrap to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

make jellyfish and use a range of media such as play-dough, water, sand and paint.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of childcare development, she has introduced the Birth to Three Matters framework to help her adapt activities for younger children. Younger children are becoming competent learners; they are exited as they negotiate the buttons on the musical toy, watch the lights light up and listen to the different noises it makes. Children benefit from daily outings to the park; they visit the parent and toddler group and the Tiny Tots service at the church, where they extend their social skills and interaction. They regularly take part in movement to music activity, where they dance and sing a long to nursery rhymes and receive an affectionate, warm and trusting relationship with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs are very well catered for as the childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and a very positive approach to caring for children with special needs. She has the required documentation in place to ensure special dietary, or health requirements are identified, ensuring parents receive the appropriate care package and support. Children access a wide range of toys and posters that reflect diversity and promote positive images of gender, culture and disability. Children develop an understanding of the wider world by celebrating a range of familiar and unfamiliar festivals for

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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 example, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Harvest Festival, Native American Day and have drawn some Rangoli designs, which are displayed in the hallway to offer children a sense of pride. Children gain a good knowledge of the environment as they have picnics in the local woods, where they learn about spring life and collect materials, such as, leaves and twigs to make collages. They develop an understanding of life cycles as they discuss butterflies, lambs and chickens, and watch how things grow as they plant cress seeds and bulbs. Children gain an understanding of the community as they have outings to the Model Village, Staunton Park Farm and the Aquarium. The childminder deals with unwanted behaviour in a calm and consistent manner; children learn what is acceptable through discussion, praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She clearly explains to the children in a language they understand why it is not acceptable to jump on the furniture, or to throw things, in case they get hurt. Children learn to respect each other and things in the house and are encouraged to share and take turns. The childminder has realistic expectations from children; strategies used are discussed with parents to ensure a consistent approach. Children benefit from very good partnerships with parents. Parents are informed about the childminder's service as she provides them with a good range of written policies and procedures. Children's individual needs are discussed at handover and collection time, and daily diaries are used to record babies sleeping, toileting and eating patterns. Parents receive a quarterly newsletter, which gives information on themes, topics and planned outings. The childminder maintains scrapbooks for each child, which shows evidence of children's creations and photographs of their daily

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Helping children make a positive contribution

activities. Parents sign all the required documentation, this ensures children's needs are fully met and strengthens the partnership with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has the required training, child care knowledge and clear understanding of the requirements of her registration to fully support the children who attend. Play resources are laid out at low level to encourage children's independence. Children are fully occupied and engaged with many play opportunities during their time at the setting. Children benefit from a well organised, safe, secure and stimulating environment, where their health, safety and wellbeing are promoted through documentation, which is secured well. The childminder maintains high adult-child ratios and ensures children are well supervised. She has produced a good range of written policies and procedures, which are shared with parents to ensure children's needs are met. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

There are no complaints to report. 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 children's health is promoted with regards to hand washing at meal times

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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