Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY252636 Inspection date 17 May 2005 Inspector Wendy, Elizabeth Lightfoot

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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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, and their four children, one aged under eight years and three aged over eight years. They live in a three bed roomed end of terrace house in a residential area of Porchester, Fareham. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children under eights years at any one time, or seven children when minding in partnership with her husband. Currently 6 children attend, three before and after school and three younger children, some of whom are part-time

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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 home is within walking distance of school, shops and parks and the childminder takes the children on outings to local facilities. All areas of the house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a range of pets, including a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children receive a healthy diet in line with parents' wishes and which they enjoy. Children are cared for in a hygienic environment. They learn good personal hygiene routines, washing their hands before snacks and after toileting. Children receive good personal care, as the childminder has a sensitive understanding of the balance between independence and support needed for each child. Their emotional well-being is promoted through the good relationship the minder has with the children and the childminder's regular use of praise for children's efforts and successes. When the minders work in partnership, both children receive much individual attention and are clearly confident and relaxed. Children develop good physical skills through craft activities, imaginative planned activities, and a range of toys and equipment in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well-planned and child-friendly environment where their safety and well-being are paramount. Children are well-supervised and receive much individual attention to further enhance their safety. They are protected by good use of safety equipment and procedures, indoors, outdoors and on outings. Children practice fire evacuation procedures, so they are well-prepared, in case of emergency. They sit in age/size appropriate car seats on outings and the childminder monitors the use of restraints to ensure they are well-adjusted. Visits to local venues are selected with thought, to be safe and suitable for young children. Children are protected through the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures to follow if concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children receive seamless care between the childminder and home as the childminder makes close relationships with their parents. Children are happy and well

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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 settled, entering the minder's confidently and getting straight down to play. They receive much individual care as, for example, one minder can support a child's creative development indoors, while the other encourages a second child to develop physical skills, such as hitting a tennis ball, in the garden. The childminder has organised the toys and play resources effectively to allow children easy access, so they can follow their own interests and make free choices. Toys are interesting and exciting and children explore with glee, receiving encouragement to develop at their own pace. Children are starting to use mathematical and imaginative language in free play activities showing that their learning is a continuous process, well-supported by both minders. Children have a good grasp of turn taking and a trusting relationship with the minder,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

so they feel relaxed, safe to experiment and try new skills. Children's language development is well-supported throughout the day. They learn to concentrate well and to persist with something they find personally challenging, enjoying the companionship and support of the minder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and receive care and learning opportunities in line with their own stages of development. They are given much free choice, so their interests are built on and children feel clearly at home in the setting. Children are confident and curious, exploring activities independently at times and engaging the minders' support as needed. Children are reminded regularly, in conversation, of their parents' wishes, so children know their parents' importance in the children's lives is valued by the childminder. Children behave well, are relaxed and confident, learning to share and take turns. They are given good amounts of one to one attention, so frustrations rarely arise. They receive regular praise for their efforts so they are clear when they are on the right track and know their efforts are appreciated. Children experience a wide range of exciting activities promoting their development in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

all areas, so are busy and having fun, feeling relaxed and positive. The childminder is happy to consider caring for a child with special needs and to work closely with parents to meet those needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend. Children are supported by good relationships between their parents and the

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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 childminder, who ensures a daily exchange of information about their children's well-being and progress. The childminder supports children in experiencing a wealth of interesting activities. Children have much free choice and gain confidence and independence as resources are age appropriate and very well organised in this appealing and child-friendly setting. Children build trusting relationships with the minder and clearly feel at home. The childminder has much appropriate documentation in place to support her childminding practices and good informal knowledge of the children, but is missing some detail, and advance parental consent in writing for emergency medical advice/treatment. Children's individuality is respected throughout the day and their interests built on to

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Organisation

support their development. They learn that their families are respected and develop a strong personal identity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to :- 1) ensure daily register has accurate times of children's arrival and departures, 2) ensure procedures are in place to monitor sleeping babies, 3) ensure smoke detectors are maintained in a good working order and an emergency evacuation plan is developed and practiced, 4) ensure the correct procedures are followed for child protection concerns, 5) ensure toy provision reflects diversity, 6) undertake a local authority childminding course and an appropriate first aid course for the care of children under 8 years. The childminder has recorded accurate times of children's arrivals and departures. Though no babies are currently attending, the childminder is aware of appropriate procedures for monitoring sleeping babies. The childminder has fitted smoke detectors appropriately and maintains them in good working order. The fire evacuation procedure is displayed in the lounge and practiced with the children. The

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Improvements since the last inspection

childminder now has a sound understanding of child protection concerns. There are toys and books to reflect diversity. The childminder has attended childminder preparation training and her practice is reflecting her increased knowledge and understanding of good quality child care practice, as evidenced through each outcome.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004, one concern has been raised about National Standard 12, Working

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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 in Partnership with Parents and Carers. Ofsted asked the childminder to investigate and report back to Ofsted within ten working days. The childminder responded with details of her investigation. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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): • improve the use of records to support the care of the children, such as written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice /treatment, and ensure sufficient detail is recorded in the register of children's attendance and on children's record forms.

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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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