Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315403 Inspection date 05 April 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 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 is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years, of whom no 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 is not registered to provide overnight care. She currently cares for 2 full time pre-school children and 1 part time pre-school child. She lives with her son and landlord in a modern three bedroom house in Winklebury, Basingstoke. Minded children have access to the ground floor of the home and to one bedroom for sleeping purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 takes and collects children from the local school and pre-schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She has the Diploma in Pre-School Practice (DPP). The family has a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which actively contribute to their good health and help them to understand the need for regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Most days they have opportunities to enjoy the fresh air, for example, as they play in the garden, visit the local park or go for a walk. They develop their physical skills when they join in music and movement activities, dig in the garden or play ball games. They are confident to try out new skills because the childminder offers appropriate activities and levels of support. Children are cared for in a clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through discussion with the childminder and healthy routines, such as washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. They have the opportunity to rest and sleep, in line with their parent's wishes, and are kept protected from illness and infection because of the childminder's effective health and

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Helping children to be healthy

hygiene procedures. Children have frequent drinks throughout the day, which help to keep them well hydrated. They enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. These take into consideration their individual likes and dietary requirements. Older children learn about a healthy diet when they help the childminder to prepare food, for instance, with making sandwiches or mashing the potatoes. Meal times are social occasions because the children sit together around the table. The childminder 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 good. Children are cared for in a very child-centred, welcoming environment where they have space to play freely and move around independently. They keep safe because the childminder has identified and minimised most risks, both indoors and when she takes the children out. However, although she has thought through the fire evacuation procedures, children are not fully protected from the risk of fire since there is no smoke detector on the ground floor and the fire blanket is not fixed to the kitchen wall. Children learn the importance of keeping safe because the childminder gives high priority to helping them understand about safety. For example, children learn about road safety when they go for a walk and know that they may burn themselves if they play with the hot water tap. Children independently select their own toys from the extensive range of good quality, stimulating toys and play materials, which meet safety standards. 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 remain free from harm because the childminder checks the equipment regularly to ensure it is safe and clean. Children play with toys, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development, as she has a skilfully organised storage system and she closely supervises their choice of equipment. The childminder consistently applies her policies and procedures in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children. She holds a current first aid certificate and has a good awareness of her professional duty to protect children. She understands the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well and are confident in their relationship with the childminder who is very welcoming and offers consistent warm support and encouragement, which helps them to feel secure and relaxed. They become increasingly independent as they choose from the extensive selection of well-organised toys and equipment. These provide challenge and cover all their developmental needs. Children enjoy the informally planned activities and experiences which are stimulating and extend their learning and creative skills. For instance, they become engrossed as they play with the sand, construct with the bricks or become involved in a role play game. Outings to watch the trains encourage questions and stimulate their interest in the wider world. They develop their communication skills by taking part in informal, spontaneous conversations and respond well as they look at books and listen to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stories. They enjoy joining in singing nursery rhymes and become calm and relaxed when the childminder plays soothing music at rest times. Children under three years benefit from the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the needs of very young children and from the activities which she plans in order to support and encourage their learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a good relationship with the childminder who knows them well and responds to their individual and specific needs in a sensitive manner. This helps them to feel valued and respected as individuals. Children show care and concern for each other and learn to respect other people and their property. They feel secure and behave well because they understand the ground rules for behaviour. For instance, they know that they must share their toys. They respond well to the childminder's praise and encouragement and listen when she explains how inappropriate behaviour can upset others. They enjoy helping with simple tasks, such as clearing away their toys or wiping the table. This encourages their self-esteem and increases their independence. Children have opportunities to increase their awareness and understanding of other people through resources, such as books and small world equipment, which promote

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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 a positive view of the wider world. They learn about their local community when they go for a walk or visit the park or the shops. The childminder develops extremely good relationships with parents and works very closely with them in order to follow children's home routines. She completes a daily diary for younger children and always has a daily exchange of information with parents so that they can work together to get the best outcome for the child. She gives them information about most of her policies and procedures at the introductory meetings so that they understand how she manages her business. However, she does not give them information about her complaints procedure or her procedures relating to the protection of children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and comfortable in the welcoming environment which is extremely well organised and encourages them to play freely and become independent. They are familiar with the clear daily routine which is carefully planned, but flexible, in order to meet their needs. Children of all ages fully participate in activities because of the childminder's skilful organisation and extensive knowledge and understanding of young children's development. The childminder is committed to on-going training in order to increase her knowledge of the work and enhance the quality of her care. She has most of the required documentation, although she does not have written parental consent to take children out, a log of complaints or a written complaints procedure. This means children's health and welfare is not fully promoted. The provider meets the needs of the range of the children who attend.

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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

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 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 a smoke detector is fitted on the ground floor and that the fire blanket is fixed to the wall in the kitchen • inform parents of the policies and procedures, including the child protection and the complaints procedure • ensure there is a log of complaints, a written complaints procedure, which includes the address and telephone number of the regulator and written parental consent to take children out

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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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