Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299204 Inspection date 16 November 2005 Inspector Deborah Jaqueline Newbury

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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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and their child who is 4 years of age in a residential area of Farnborough in Hampshire. The house is in walking distance of local parks, shops and schools. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is mostly used for childminding, although there is an upstairs play room which is also used to provide facilities for sleeping. Toilet facilities are provided on the first floor of the house. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 registered to care for a maximum of 3 children under 8 years of age at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 on a full-time basis. The childminder drives to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. She regularly makes use of a Play gym in a neighbouring town and provides opportunities for children to play with other children outside the home. The family has two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene practices and takes suitable precautions to minimise the spread of infection. She maintains her home in a clean state and ensures family pets do not pose a health risk. Children learn about personal hygiene as part of the daily routine and through discussions with the childminder. Access to soap in a fun shaped dispenser appeals to children and provides a useful incentive for them to wash their hands. Children do not use individual towels although the childminder changes these regularly. She helps children understand the importance of placing their hands over their mouths when they cough to avoid spreading germs. She does not care for sick children because of the implications this may have for other children in her care and talks to parents about this. There are, however, some gaps in the health care records of children

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Helping children to be healthy

attending the setting which may mean that the childminder does not have access to all information she may need in the event of an emergency. Children drink regularly. The childminder's practice of placing a jug of water within easy reach means that children can help themselves independently and do not go thirsty. Parents and childminder share responsibility for the provision of food for the children currently in her care. Meals include healthy options and the childminder takes into account parents' preferences and children's individual dietary requirements. Children have opportunities to be active as they play in the garden where they can ride bikes and explore the climbing apparatus available. They go to a local Play gym each week which offers a wider range of equipment and more scope for them to further develop their physical skills. Babies have sufficient space to move around and practise crawling. They sleep according to their individual need and their parents'

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Helping children to be healthy

wishes. The childminder takes steps to ensure that they are warm and comfortable and sleep in pleasant surroundings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety, inside and outside the home, is generally well promoted. Use of

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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 appropriate safety measures in the rooms accessible to children enable them to move around freely and independently. The childminder is very conscious of her responsibility to adapt her home as necessary to take into account children's changing capabilities, for example, as a baby becomes more mobile and adventurous. Suitable security and fire safety precautions contribute to children's overall safety. Currently, however, a water feature and an unprotected drain in the garden do pose potential hazards to children. Children access a suitable and satisfactory range of play materials that are age and stage appropriate. The childminder regularly checks toys to ensure that everything is clean and ready for them to use. She minimises potential risk to babies and young children by ensuring that they cannot reach any toys with small pieces. Children learn

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

how to keep themselves safe as part of the daily routine. They practise crossing the road safely and learn about staying close to the childminder when they are out and about. Children are protected because the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of issues relating to child protection and the action she should take if she has any concerns about a child. She does not, however, inform parents of her responsibility with regard to this. The childminder is currently attending a First Aid course to ensure that she is well prepared to deal with any accidents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and secure in their relationships with the childminder and her family. They are happy and respond in mostly positive ways to her warm and friendly manner. Babies enjoy the closeness of cuddles as they snuggle in. They play with age appropriate toys but do not explore a variety of natural and everyday objects or take part in any type of messy or creative play. Currently, the childminder is unfamiliar with the Birth to Three matters framework of good practice as an aid to extend the range of experiences and learning opportunities she is able to offer young children. She spends time talking to and playing with children. She provides appropriate support and encouragement as children try to do things for themselves, for example putting the train track together. The childminder recognises and acknowledges children's changing interests by suggesting other activities or toys they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

may like to play with and thus, helps them to stay occupied. Older children's creative development is encouraged through activities such as painting and junk modelling. Children have opportunities to develop their social skills as they mix with other children and adults outside the home when they go to the Play gym or meet up with friends of the childminder who also have young children. Children play with the range of toys accessible to them. The childminder regularly rotates resources to maintain children's interests and she reacts positively to their requests for play materials that are stored upstairs.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of issues relating to equal opportunities. She knows the children in her care well and ensures that they are treated as individuals, and with equal concern. Her practice of allowing minded children to display their artwork within her home, alongside that of her own child, contributes to their sense of belonging. Currently, children do not have access to many resources that reflect different aspects of diversity and positive images to help them gain awareness of the wider world in which we live. Children benefit from care that is consistent with their home routines because the childminder spends time seeking the views of parents about their preferences and the individual needs, likes and dislikes of their children before the commencement of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

any childminding placement. Arrangements for the exchange of information about her childminding service and how children spend their time are mostly informal. The childminder sometimes uses a communication diary, for example during school holiday times, but this is not consistently completed. The childminder has a consistent approach to behaviour management. She sets clear boundaries and encourages good manners, which helps children develop understanding of acceptable and unacceptable ways to behave. Her use of praise and positive language contributes to children's developing self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. They are comfortable and at ease in the warm and welcoming environment of her home and they receive appropriate adult support which helps them feel secure and confident. Required documentation and other records which contribute to the health, safety, and welfare of children are mostly in place. However, the childminder has not obtained written consent for all aspects of children's care and her procedure for the recording of any medicines given to children is not fully appropriate. In addition, the childminder is unaware of the recent changes to the National Standards and has not yet considered steps she may need to take to address these.

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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

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Complaints 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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • further consolidate the health care records of children attending the setting by requesting written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and obtain relevant contact details for the children's doctor • assess the risks to children in relation to the water feature and drains in the garden and take action to minimise these • provide a greater range of activities for babies and children under three, for example, by using the Birth to Three framework, with particular reference to the use of natural and everyday objects in their play and opportunities for messy and creative play • expand the range of resources that reflect different aspects of diversity and positive images to help children gain awareness of the wider world in which we live. Obtain written parental consent to transport children in a vehicle and

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The quality and standards of the care

ensure that they are aware of the childminder's responsibility with regard to child protection • improve existing arrangements for the recording of medicines given to children and develop greater knowledge and understanding of the changes to the National Standards and take whatever steps are necessary to address these.

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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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