Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311686 Inspection date 21 March 2006 Inspector Lisa, Marie Ellis

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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 2005. He lives with his wife and his two children who are aged over eight years. His wife is also a registered childminder and between them they currently provide care for fifteen children, five of whom are aged over eight years. They live in a house in a residential area of Fareham, Hampshire which is within walking distance to local schools, pre-school, park and shops. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has no pets.

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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 satisfactory. Children are learning basic hygiene routines such as hand washing before eating and after toileting. Each child has their own face cloth that is changed daily to reduce the risk of germs spreading. Children are protected from cross contamination as the childminder wears gloves when changing nappies and ensures children are changed on individual towels. Children's health is promoted as the childminder is able to react promptly to any accidents. The first aid kit is stored accessibly and both himself and his wife have recently updated their knowledge of first aid. There are systems in place to record accidents and the administration of medication although parents have not given their written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment. The dietary needs of the children are met as the parents provide all meals and snacks for the children. The childminder ensures the safe storage of food by storing

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Helping children to be healthy

perishable items appropriately. Children take part in regular exercise both indoors and outside, for example, dancing to music tapes and using large equipment in the garden to develop their fine and gross motor skills.

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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 clean, well maintained and secure environment that promotes their safety. Space is organised to meet their individual needs, for example, they have access to a cloakroom that is adjacent to the dedicated play room and have space to rest or sleep in the lounge. The furniture and equipment are suitable for the age range and are stored accessibly to promote children's independence and to encourage self selection of resources. Children are kept away from harm as all hazards have been identified and made safe, for example, by using socket covers and stair gates to reduce the risk of accidents. Children's safety is promoted in written procedures such as safe evacuation and emergency first aid plans. Older children are spoken to about these plans to prepare them in case of an incident. Children are protected from the risk of abuse as the childminder has a basic

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of the child protection procedures and referral system.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are predominately cared for in the home but sometimes visit the local parks and beaches to interact with other children and to develop their physical skills.

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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 Activities provided in the home are age appropriate and cover all areas of learning. The children enjoy the company of the childminder and respond positively to him. They are confident in his care and are keen to participate in the daily routines, such as helping to tidy up the equipment before using the toilet and washing their hands for lunch. The children interact well with the childminder and often chat and laugh with him as he plays with them on the floor. The childminder ensures children are challenged in their play by providing activities and resources that can be adapted accordingly to children's individual age and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are becoming aware of basic differences in society via dolls and videos that reflect different ethnic groups and disabilities. The childminder works with parents and other professionals to ensure individual children's special needs are met effectively. All children have access to the full range of activities on offer which promotes equality within the setting. Children are clear of the rules and routines in the house. They are learning good manners and are praised by the childminder to encourage and recognise positive behaviour and the effort they put into tasks. Children are given consistent and realistic boundaries regarding their behaviour as the childminder works with parents and his wife to ensure children are not getting mixed messages. Children are supported and encouraged to settle into the childminders care gently by visiting with their parents before they are left alone. The childminder follows

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Helping children make a positive contribution

instructions from the parents to ensure consistency and to meet the children's individual needs. Verbal feedback is given to parents on a daily basis to keep them informed of how their children have been. The childminder is aware of most of the required documentation that should be available to parents, however, he is unaware of the requirement to have a complaints log and therefore this is not in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom he provides. Children are protected from unvetted persons as they are never left unattended. Ratios are maintained at all times and the childminder is well organised to ensure he does not go over his registered number of children. Most of the required documentation is in place and used correctly, although the daily register does not provide an accurate record of children's actual times of attendance. Paperwork is stored confidentially and is shared with parents as necessary.

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Improvements 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 Not applicable.

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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 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 written consent is obtained from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment • ensure a complaints log is in place • ensure an accurate record of children's attendance is maintained

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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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