Home Childcarer in HampshireOfsted inspection, 23 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299594 Inspection date 23 February 2006 Inspector Carol Patricia Willett

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and her pre-school aged child in a residential area of Yateley, Hampshire. The childminder has a stepson of high-school age who occasionally visits. The house is situated within walking distance of local shops, schools, pre-schools and parks. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat and fish. The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under 8 years. There are currently 5 children on roll. Of these 1 child is under 5 years who attends every day. The other

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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 children are all over 8 years and are cared for after school only. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for one child. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder attends the local toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are healthy because the childminder provides a child friendly home which is well maintained, comfortable and welcoming to children and their parents. Children play and sleep in clean and safe areas as the childminder has highly effective hygiene routines and procedures in place which ensures the home, toys and equipment are in a good clean condition. Children develop a good understanding of personal hygiene through daily routines as they are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times. They read books which show them how to stay healthy. Good hygiene procedures ensures the family cat does not pose a health risk to the children. Children rest and sleep according to their needs as the childminder follows discussions with the parents. They enjoy the wide range of activities provided to enable them to be active and develop their physical skills. These include visits to the

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Helping children to be healthy

local park, toddlers groups and outings to local physical play areas; such as, Creepy Crawlies. Children enjoy dancing and exercising to a Tumble Tots video at home. They have fun in the garden where they learn to pedal ride on toys and play with balls and bounce on the trampoline. Children regularly use a range of toys to develop manipulative skills; such as, jigsaws, construction toys including building bricks and train tracks. They thread beads to make necklaces and enjoy drawing with crayons, and painting. The childminder offers good support to encourage their developing skills; such as, when children try to make the train track. Children enjoy a varied selection of healthy meals and snacks which are well prepared. They are given a choice about what to eat and which fruit they want for snacks. They enjoy plums, melon and kiwis for example. Meal times are social occasions where children sit to the table and enjoy discussing their families and

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Helping children to be healthy

experiences. Younger children are given plenty to drink throughout the day. They freely access their water bottles which are kept on the table. The childminder further develops her knowledge to improve her practice of food hygiene as she attends training with the local childcare partnership.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play happily in a home that is maintained to a high standard and is warm and comfortable. They freely select from the wide range of good quality, age appropriate play materials which are kept in boxes within easy reach. This develops

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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 their independence skills. Children can explore and develop safely with sufficient space to meet their needs as the childminder has organised the environment well. This develops children's confidence and independence. The childminder has a sound knowledge of hazards and checks the home and garden before children arrive to ensure their safety. She takes good measures to minimise most risks; for example, a safety gate is in place on the stairs and across the kitchen, cupboards have catches on and sockets are covered. The childminder has not fitted the fire blanket in the kitchen according to instructions. Children stay safe as they are carefully supervised throughout the day. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks about road safety and staying close when in shops. She explains to children about using resources and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

tools safely; such as, holding and using scissors correctly. She explains house rules to the children; for example, not jumping on the sofa as they may hurt themselves. The childminder has a good range of documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. She has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures. She does not have a copy of the local child protection procedures which provide contact details should there be a concern. She records accident and incident details appropriately and has appropriate insurance cover in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and secure as a result of the childminders warm, caring, attentive manner. They develop confidence and a sense of belonging as they form close relationships. They easily approach her for help with the toys and to join in with play, bringing her cups of tea and plates of pizza. The childminder informally plans a varied range of daily activities and outings both in and outside the home. Children benefit from regular outings to the park, library and shops which promotes their learning and stimulates their interest in the wider world. Visits to toddler groups and physical play groups such as Creepy Crawlies develops the children’s ability to relate to a wider group of adults and children. This contributes to children's overall development. Children enjoy craft activities; such as, making key rings for Valentines day and drawing, taking their pictures home for their parents. The childminder talks to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children constantly responding readily to their requests and uses good strategies to develop children's language and communication skills as she joins in with their play. They enjoy sitting on the sofa to read books. Children are encouraged to share resources and have good opportunities to develop in all areas. The layout of the premises and toys allow children to explore the environment and become independent. Children begin to learn right from wrong as the childminder gently encourages them to learn house rules and to use resources such as scissors properly for example.

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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 are happy, secure and settled as the childminder is aware of and values children's needs and personalities and provides experiences to meet their needs. Children benefit from care that is consistent with their home routines because the childminder seeks useful information from parents about their children. This ensures that she is fully aware of children's individual needs, and how to manage aspects of their behaviour. She is well informed of parents' wishes. There is a good verbal exchange of information on a daily basis. The childminder provides parents with written information about her practices, policies and procedures. She ensures parents are aware of the procedure should they have a concern about their children's care. The childminder does not have documentation in place to record parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

complaints. The childminder has written consents in place to follow parents requirements about their children's care. This ensures the children's health and welfare is safeguarded. The childminder has a sound understanding of issues relating to equal opportunities. She ensures all children freely access the resources. The childminder obtains sufficient information from the parents and from her observations to meet their individual needs. Children learn to value and respect others as the childminder provides play materials that reflect diversity. There is a good range of books to provide positive images and support children's awareness of the wider world. Children behave well and care about each other as the childminder uses good behaviour management strategies which are appropriate to children's stage of development. She uses distraction well for younger children. Children are developing good self-esteem as the childminder uses positive language and meaningful praise

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and encouragement; for example, she thanks the children as they help pack away the toys. She acts as a good role-model using please and thank-you when talking to the children. Children are polite and say excuse me and thank-you as the childminder helps them make the train track for example.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises the environment, resources and documentation well to enable children's needs to be effectively met. Space is used effectively, indoors and outdoors, to meet all children’s needs for food, rest and play and allows children freedom to explore safely. They are able to play and select resources freely to develop their confidence and independence skills. They receive very good support from the childminder and the organisation of the minding week allows for a good variety of experiences and activities. Consequently the children are happy, comfortable, settled and secure. The childminder maintains comprehensive documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare. She develops very good relationships with parents who are very happy with the service provided. The childminder has sound practices in place for example she records accidents in an appropriate manner. She

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Organisation

does not have documentation to record parents complaints. The childminder realises the benefit of professional training to increase her

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 knowledge and understanding and to increase the quality of care she offers. She has attended various workshops which contribute to her knowledge and understanding; for example, first aid and provision of activities for the under 3-year-olds. She has good procedures in place to ensure children are protected from un-vetted persons and she closely supervises children at all times. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 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 the fire-blanket is fitted according to instructions • obtain a copy of the local child protection procedures from the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) to further develop knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe • develop documentation to record any complaints relating to the national standards that includes action taken, ensure it is available should parents wish to see it.

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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:

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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 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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