Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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510585 Unique Reference Number 17 May 2006 Inspection date Jennifer Pearce Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2000. She lives with her husband and three children in Portchester.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. She walks to local pre schools and schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups and takes the children to the library and local parks.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care, for example children are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting, before food and before they start to cook.

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Helping children to be healthy

This promotes an awareness and good understanding of personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet as the childminder introduces a variety and choice of fruit, healthy snacks and home cooked meals with fresh vegetables. These may be hot or cold depending on the children's preference. Children are provided with plenty of drinks and they are able to access their own containers to quench their thirst. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents to ensure that each child's individual needs are met. This helps the children to gain an understanding of healthy choices and personal preferences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of activities both in and out of doors that contribute to their good health and physical development. Each day the children walk to school from the childminder's home. Children have opportunities to use different parts of their bodies as they run and jump, push and manoeuvre the doll's pram, climb when they use large play equipment in the garden, visit the local park and a variety of other activity play areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have freedom to move around in a friendly and child centred environment. The careful organisation of equipment and resources enables children to access them easily and safely. The toys, equipment and resources are in a good state of repair and they are checked regularly for safety. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example safety gates, socket covers, smoke alarms and a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a good awareness of safety through practising the emergency evacuation procedure on a regular basis. Children begin to learn how to follow instructions for staying safe as the childminder teaches the children about road safety and staying close, always watching out for traffic when they are on outings and walking to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children respond well to the childminder when she reminds them to be careful when they are involved in a running activity indoors to not crash into each other.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place for the children in her care. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She knows the procedures to follow should she have any concerns and these are shared with parents before the children attend.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and clearly enjoy being in the childminder's care. Children are confident in their play as they select equipment and resources of their choice from the good selection that is available and accessible to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show interest in all of the activities in the playroom and they respond well to the childminder. She encourages speech and language during all activities. For example, the childminder talks to the children as they share books together. Children are attentive and involved as the childminder asks questions about the animals in the story and who is going the slowest. Children smile happily as they play, they make sounds and use actions to describe animals. They also develop their imagination as they become engaged and involved in a variety of different activities. For example, they select play food and dolls for role play activities, they line up chairs to make a train to go on a pretend journey and discuss what they are doing with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children identify colours and count during drawing and play dough activities. They are able to take their art work home to share their achievements with their parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children socialise with other children as they attend a variety of group activities. These include meeting with other childminders, trips to the beach, picnics, playing football, visits to children's activity centres and the local library for story telling sessions. The childminder keeps the parents fully informed about all outings, their child's activities and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a warm and friendly relationship with the childminder as she seeks to meet their individual needs, takes time to listen to them and is interested in all they say and do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. They have opportunities to celebrate special events and visit local places of interest to develop an awareness of their local area. The childminder is able to adapt activities to meet the needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn good manners and gain an understanding of appropriate behaviour by the good role model set by the childminder. She praises the children when they achieve and respond to her instructions. For example children are praised when they draw, make shapes or write their name. They respond well to the childminder when she suggests an alternative chair when children want the same chair. This helps to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops a good relationship with parents as she seeks to exchange information on a daily basis about the children's dietary and routine needs, where the children are going and what they do. This seeks to ensure that each child's individual needs are met.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's play room is spacious, bright and child centred with plenty of comfortable areas for children to relax. The childminder ensures that all areas both in and out of doors are planned to provide children with choice and freedom in all of the activities available. Children are also able to access the lounge for rest or quiet activities and the older minded children may play upstairs with supervision.

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Organisation

All information is shared with parents to encourage the welfare, care and learning of the children.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps a good standard of records for the children in her care. This includes detailed information and permissions to take children in a vehicle and permission to seek emergency medical first aid or advice so that children can be treated in an emergency.

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Organisation

Whilst the majority of documentation is in place and up-to-date there is no written record for complaints to share with parents and the certificate of registration for childminding is not visible during the hours of childminding.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder needed to ensure that all relevant details for each child are in place. These are now all in place ensuring that the children's welfare and care are promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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Complaints 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 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):

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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 • ensure that the certificate of registration is visible at all times when chidlminding. • maintain a written record of complaints.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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