Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 160823 Inspection date 09 January 2006 Inspector Debbie Davies

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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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 9 and 6-years in Andover, Hampshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under 5-years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent toddler group. The family have two dogs, however, these are working dogs which do not come in to the home.

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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. The childminder meets children's health, dietary and religious needs through discussions with parents and by providing children with fresh fruit for snacks. Children have the opportunity to visit their local pick your own fruit farm in the summer months, which is an effective way of educating children about healthily eating. If children become ill, the childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection. Records on children are kept to a good standard, promoting children’s welfare at all times. However, the childminder must record accidents appropriately and gain permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment to protect children's wellbeing. Children learn the importance of regular exercise as the childminder plans physical play, both indoors and outside. For example, they walk to and from school and visit the park. They like going to 'Jungle Jungle' the indoor play centre and look forward to

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Helping children to be healthy

meeting up with friends at the local toddler group once a week where there is plenty of room for physical activities. They enjoy playing football and swing ball in the garden and have fun at the local recreation ground playing snakes and ladders and hopscotch. These activities encourage children to become more active and lead a healthier lifestyle. Children enjoy a clean and well maintained home as the childminder has a good awareness of hygiene issues. Children are actively encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times, helping them to learn about the importance of personal hygiene. They take off their own coats and outdoor shoes, which promotes independence and self-care skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are developing well because there is a good range of resources available, which are appropriate to their ages and stages of development and conform to safety standards. Children have free choice of play, self-selecting activities which helps to make them feel secure in their environment and valued as a family member. Children move around the home safely because the majority of potential hazards are minimised within the home; for example, socket covers are in place, doors are shut preventing access to the stairs and garden gates have locks fitted. However, there are some areas of safety within the home that needs improving to safeguard children further. Children develop a good awareness of keeping themselves safe; for example, they

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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 learn to sit on chairs properly at the table or when sitting on the sofa. When playing in the park on the climbing apparatus they must be sensible and listen to instructions and before crossing the road they must hold on to the pushchair. These appropriate methods promote children's knowledge about potential dangers. Clear procedures and the childminders knowledge and understanding of child protection ensure children's safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are at ease with the childminder, confident and are very settled. They enjoy each other’s company and have fun playing together. They learn to become independent and gain good self-esteem through making choices in a positive environment as toys and equipment are readily available and the childminder asks them what they would like to play with. They also have the opportunity to learn through first-hand experience such as cooking, gardening and visiting the shops. The childminder encourages children to develop and enhance their listening skills and language skills by asking them questions about things they have done at home. They particularly enjoy the childminder reading to them and participate in this activity together. Children have plenty of opportunities to use their imagination. They enjoy playing with the pirate ship, knights and warriors, having good access to a number of dressing up

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

clothes and props to compliment their play. This stimulating and creative environment promotes children's personal and social skills. Children are given time to share their family or individual events. The childminder listens with interest and motivates others to join in with their own experiences. As a result, children feel valued and motivated. The childminder has a positive partnership with parents verbally informing them at the end of each day about their child's development and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder has a good understanding about the needs of the children in her care as she obtains all relevant information from parents prior to the child starting. She writes down each child's routine and follows these to ensure they feel secure within their environment. The childminder provides a suitable range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. This allows children to increase their awareness of diversity. Children have good opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and their community through well planned activities and outings to local places of interest such as routine visits to the library, Post Office and the village shop. Children are very enthusiastic about wildlife and like to feed the birds in the garden, plant

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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 daffodils and visit the farm to see the baby chicks. This positive approach fosters children's social and cultural developments. Children benefit from the childminder's consistent calm approach to behaviour management. She ensures they are able to learn about their behaviour through positive direction, taking into account their level of understanding. Children learn to share and take turns when playing their games and are respectful to one another. The childminder acknowledges that some children may have special needs. She will work closely with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes good use of the available space and organises the children's routines well by planning activities, outings, sleep and quiet times within her daily programme. Because of this, children feel secure and confident. Ratio's are maintained at all times, providing children with good support. The childminder understands the importance of maintaining documentation and confidentiality. The majority of documentation, which is legally required is in place and maintained appropriately. Records are kept to an adequate standard, promoting children's welfare. Regular informal discussions with parents ensure continuity of care for all children who attend. This means that, overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made. The childminder agreed to extend the range of resources to reflect on positive images of different cultures and abilities. Since then the childminder has increased her resources which ensures that children are learning about diversity. However, the second recommendation is still outstanding.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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

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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 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 safety in relation to dangerous substances within the home and the night storage heaters • ensure that accidents are recorded appropriately and request written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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