Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY269271 Inspection date 24 May 2005 Inspector Michelle Ann Parham

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She is registered to provide care for five children. Registration does not include overnight care. The childminder currently provides care for two children on a part-time basis. The childminder lives with her young child, in a residential area of Bridgemary, Gosport. the home is within close proximity to local shops, pre-school and community parks. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding with the upstairs accessed for toileting, play and sleeping if required. There is a rear garden area suitable for the children to access outside play.

p.2

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. There are currently three cats in the home.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to outside play and regularly walk to the school, this helps improve their fitness and they begin to gain an understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Children enjoy washing their hands and independently visiting the toilet, they have a step and wipes available in the bathroom which help to develop their independence and self-care skills. The childminder works with the parents to ensure the children receive an appropriate care package. She has effective procedures in place to address accidents and emergencies and is fully aware of children's health and specific individual needs. The children benefit from a selection of nourishing meals and snacks, which the childminder provides. This helps them gain an increased understanding of healthy eating and ensures their dietary requirements are met. Overall, the home is suitable for childminding however, some areas of the floor are unclean which means children

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

do not always have hygienic areas to play in and could lead to ill health.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a secure and generally safe environment where most risks have been minimised. However, the fire blanket is not appropriately sited for use in the kitchen, which could cause delay and possible injury for children if required in an emergency. In addition, the lid on the water butt in the rear garden is accessible and not secure, making it difficult to fully ensure children's safety. Children are made aware of hazards through general practice, for example, they know that they hold the childminders hand when they walk near the road. The childminder has effective procedures for maintaining their safety in the car with appropriate seating and restraints and for general overall supervision of the children. However, currently the childminder does not have the appropriate business insurance to transport minded children in the car. Children are well protected because the childminder has the required documentation

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and procedures are in place to ensure their welfare. She has sound knowledge and understanding of child protection and awareness of her responsibility to act upon concerns noted.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 are confident and well settled in the home. They relate well to the childminder because she has a calm and relaxed manner. The childminder gives a lot of opportunity for independent play and child led activities, giving support, guidance and engaging in activities when required or invited to by the child. The children develop confidence and emerging social skills through interactive play with peers and enjoy many imaginative play opportunities they initiate themselves. Children have fun and enjoy a stimulating range of resources because the childminder provides a good selection of toys, books and games. However, they would more easily identify what is available and further initiate their own choices of play if the toy resources are better organised.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides an environment where children are valued and their individual needs met. Children gain an increasing awareness of diversity because the childminder provides a good selection of resources that promote positive images. They are also beginning to gain a growing awareness of their environment through visits into the local community. Children's health and special need requirements are addressed because the childminder works closely with parents to provide the appropriate care packages. Overall children's general behaviour is satisfactory; on occasions, the childminder uses some intervention and distraction to manage unacceptable behaviour. Children show increasing independence and self-confidence, deciding and making choices about their play for themselves and exploring the environment freely. Children enjoy lots of free play with their peers, which develop their social skills and confidence.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel happy and relaxed in the home, where they are confident to explore and play. Children's needs are met because the childminder has all the required documentation and working practices in place. She is suitably qualified to deal with accidents effectively and appropriately, which helps maintain the health of the children. Parents are welcomed into the home, fully informed and up to date about their children's progress and all documentation is shared and co-signed. This promotes working in partnership and ensures continuity of care and individual needs of the children are addressed. Overall, the childminder is meeting the individual needs of the range of children in her care.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 water butt is safe and inaccessible to children and fire blanket is appropriately sited • ensure all required insurance is in place • ensure toy resources are appropriately organised to be identifiable to children • ensure all areas accessible to children are kept are clean

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5