Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 510562 Inspection date 07 February 2006 Inspector Jacqueline, Ann Connell

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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 has been registered since 1995. She is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years, of these, not more than 3 may be under 5 years, and of these, not more than 1 may be under 1 year at any one time. She does not provide overnight care. At present, the childminder cares for 3 pre-school and 3 school aged children. She lives with her two teenage sons, in a three bedroomed, detached house in Bordon, Hampshire. Minded children have access to the ground floor of 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 with the exception of the conservatory. The upstairs is occasionally used for the purpose of sleeping the younger children. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local shops, schools and preschools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a range of activities, which contribute to their good health and help them to understand the importance of regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Most days there are outdoor activities to help them gain control of their bodies, for example, as they walk to the school, dig in the sand or ride on the wheeled toys. Regular visits to use the equipment at the local park encourage the development of their physical skills. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through routines, such as washing their hands after playing outside or using the toilet, which help to keep them healthy. They have the opportunity to rest and sleep, in line with their parent's wishes, and keep protected from illness because the childminder follows procedures which reduce the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy having meals together and develop their social skills through conversations around the meal table. They have regular drinks so they keep well hydrated. The childminder works with parents to ensure she is meeting the children's individual dietary needs. She has appropriate storage facilities for food supplied by parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a child-centred home where they have the use of a separate playroom and the childminder identifies risks and minimises hazards. This means children are able to move around safely and independently which helps to develop their confidence. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when they are outside the home because the childminder follows appropriate procedures, such as ensuring young children hold her hand or are strapped into their buggy, and she talks to them about road safety as they walk to the school or park. Children independently select their own toys from the balanced range of appropriate toys and play materials, which meet safety standards. They remain safe because the childminder checks the equipment regularly, so that it is safe and clean, and supervises their choice of equipment to ensure it is suitable for their age and stage 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 The childminder has procedures to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a sound awareness of her professional duty to protect children. She understands the child protection procedures. However, she does not have all the required written consent from parents. This includes consent to take children out and consent to transport them in a car.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well on arrival and are secure in their relationship with the childminder whose warm manner helps them feel settled and confident. They become increasingly independent because she gives them consistent support and meaningful praise, for instance, when they develop a new skill such as becoming potty trained. They respond positively to her relaxed and friendly manner, which contributes to their sense of belonging and enjoyment and encourages them to play and learn. Children enjoy the activities, which cover all areas of their learning and meet their developmental needs. They spend their time purposely engaged in their play, for instance, absorbed in games and puzzles or with the small world equipment. They develop their ideas and communication skills as they engage in stimulating conversation with the childminder and respond to her skilful use of open ended questions. Spontaneous games, such as playing hide and seek with the toy boxes,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are fun and contribute to the children's enjoyment. Children relate very well to one other and socialise with other children through visits to the local toddler group and the homes of other childminders.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a good relationship with the childminder who knows them well and responds to their individual and specific needs. This helps them to feel valued and respected as individuals. Children show care and concern for each other and play happily together as they learn to share and take turns. They treat one another kindly and show respect for example, by apologising if they say or do something hurtful to another child. They respond well to the childminder's praise when they are helpful or considerate and become involved in simple responsibilities, such as tidying away their toys. This encourages their self esteem and increases their independence. Children have some opportunities to increase their understanding of other people through discussion with the childminder and resources, such as a calendar showing different festivals around the world. This helps to promote a positive view of the wider

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Helping children make a positive contribution

world. They learn about their local community as they go to the park, for a walk, or visit the shops. The childminder develops sound relationships with parents and works with them in

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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 order to follow children's home routines. She has a daily exchange of information with them so that they can work together to get the best outcome for the child. Although she explains how she manages her business at the initial interviews with parents, she gives them limited information about her policies and procedures. In addition, she does not have a complaints procedure or keep a log of complaints which means parents are not aware of these procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel secure and comfortable in the homely environment where they are familiar with the daily routine and are confident to initiate their own play. The childminder organises the routine around the children's needs and combines a balance of activities with periods for rest and quiet play. She meets regularly with other childminders. This helps to broaden her experience and contributes to her quality of care. She recognises that increasing her knowledge of the Birth to three matters' material will enhance the care she provides for younger children. The childminder has most of the required documentation in place, and uses it appropriately, to support children's health, safety and welfare. However, she keeps limited records and does not have parental consent for taking children out or transporting them in a car. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain a first aid certificate which she has done. She was asked to improve the procedures for checking equipment and to improve the documentation, the recording and the parental consent procedures. She checks her equipment regularly, although does not record her checks. She has improved her documentation and some of the recording. She has obtained written parental consent to seek emergency treatment or advice. However, she does not now have consent to take children out or transport them in a car. The completed measures contribute to the children's health, safety and welfare. The childminder was asked to increase the materials to reflect diversity. She is slowly building her resources but recognises that she requires more. The resources she has in place help to promote a positive view of the wider world for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since the last inspection.

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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 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 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): • ensure parents are aware of the complaints procedure and that a log of complaints is maintained • increase knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters material • improve the systems for record keeping and ensure there is written parental consent for taking children out and transporting them in a car

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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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