Fox, Seema

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY303824 Inspection date 15 November 2005 Inspector Louise, Caroline Bonney

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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 satisfactory. 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 2005. She lives with her husband and school-aged child on the outskirts of Aldershot, Hampshire. The downstairs area of the childminder’s house is mainly used for childminding. There is no garden available for outside play. The childminder currently cares for one child, and is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about maintaining their health through ready access to drinks and the provision of nutritious meals. The childminder liaises with parents about children's diets and toddlers develop wider tastes as they try new foods. They enjoy the close interaction they have with the childminder at mealtimes and find these sociable and relaxing occasions. This contributes to their general health. Young children are able to sleep according to their home routines, which ensures they are fully rested and cope well with their day. Toddlers have opportunities for more physical activity as they run and clamber on furniture indoors. However, they do not have daily opportunities to play outside or use larger equipment to further contribute to their health and developing awareness of how to keep fit and healthy. Children stay healthy through the procedures in place. The childminder shares her

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Helping children to be healthy

sickness policy with parents and through its implementation protects the children from illness and infection. Children in nappies have suitably hygienic changing arrangements in place. Toddlers learn about hygiene as the childminder looks after their personal care, wiping their hands and faces after eating, washing her own hands appropriately. However, the childminder is not able to provide full medical support as she does not seek parental consents for emergency treatment and is not yet qualified to administer first aid.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in secure premises which provide a warm and welcoming environment. They move freely between rooms downstairs. Safety gates restrict their access to less safe areas, such as the stairs. The childminder risk-assesses the house, identifying and effectively dealing with most hazards. =The childminder is vigilant in ensuring the children's safety and is always close to them. However, some hazards remain accessible, such as low glass and cleaning materials. Toddlers learn to be safe during their activities. The childminder reminds them to eat grapes slowly so they do not choke. They use suitable seats when travelling by car and sit safely in the highchair. Children have access to equipment and resources that are in good condition. Children generally use toys that are suitable, although toddlers occasionally access toys meant for children over 3, which are less safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder protects children sufficiently through her awareness of the issues around child protection. However, she is unaware of the latest guidance available to further develop her procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Toddlers settle well in the caring and homely environment and develop good relationships with the childminder. They find their activities interesting and enjoy the involvement of the childminder in their play. Toddlers freely select their resources from the limited range available downstairs, which the childminder rotates with others toys kept upstairs to maintain their interest. Toddlers develop communication skills through the childminder's constant interaction with them during their activities. They repeat words as the childminder names objects for them and makes sounds to reflect the animals in a book they are looking at together. They enjoy listening to songs and doing action rhymes with the childminder. Toddlers develop dexterity as they handle crayons, push beads round a frame, or pick up grapes to eat. However, they do not have opportunities to use malleable materials such as playdough to further develop their strength and skills. Toddlers

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develop some larger physical skills as they run between rooms and clamber onto furniture. However, the childminder does not provide daily opportunities for physical play outdoors, or opportunities for toddlers to socialise with larger groups of children. The childminder does not use materials such as Birth to Three Matters to further develop her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Toddlers settle well, and show a sense of belonging as they greet the childminder and seek out her husband. They relax as they confidently move from room to room, accessing their toys and initiating their own play. The children enjoy the childminder's warm and friendly approach. They involve her in their play and look to her for support as she promptly attends to their needs. This helps the children develop self assurance and to feel valued. Children have their individual needs met through the friendly and business-like relationships the childminder establishes with their parents. Parents complete written contracts and child information forms and there is a good exchange of information during the daily handover. The childminder takes care to liaise with parents about children's developing diets, care needs, and any special needs. This helps to ensure that the children's individual needs are met, and they benefit from the maintenance of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

home care routines, such as around sleeps and feeds. Parents are aware of the policies and procedures in place which protect the children's welfare, and most consents are in place. The childminder seeks information about children's home cultures and religions and has a good understanding of the significance of their festivals to share with them. They learn about diversity as the childminder celebrates other festivals, such as Christmas, and as they use resources such as books and dressing up.

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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 Children behave well and benefit from the childminder's positive approach to behaviour management. Children enjoy the praise and gentle encouragement she gives them, and this helps them to develop self-esteem and confidence.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children settle well and feel secure through the familiar routines in place that support their needs. They happily settle on arrival and show they are comfortable as they access the various rooms and resources freely. The childminder organises the premises to provide suitable play areas for toddlers, with safety gates preventing their access to less safe areas, such as the stairs. Although the toys available at any one time are limited, some are kept in low storage units so that toddlers can safely and independently access them. Children receive good support during their activities through the childminder's effective organisation of her time and her hands-on approach. For instance, she plays with the children while they are awake and prepares their lunch while they sleep. Children benefit from the routines in place, which reflect their home routines around sleeps and feeds.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the written policies and procedures in place which the childminder shares with parents, and which effectively support their safety and welfare. However, the childminder does not seek written consent from the parents for requesting emergency medical advice or treatment, and does not have first aid training. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 satisfactory. 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

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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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): • develop provision further by using materials such as Birth to Three Matters • attend appropriate first aid training, and seek written consent from parents for requesting emergency medical assessment and/or treatment • assess the risks to children in relation to low glass and cleaning materials and take action to minimise these • ensure that the child protection procedure complies with that of the local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC).

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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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