Childminder in BuckinghamshireOfsted inspection, 21 Mar 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY314673 Inspection date 21 March 2006 Inspector Ann Field

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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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 3, 11 and 20 years in Edlesborough, a village in North Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor plus first floor bathroom for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is currently minding one child under 5 during the day and one child over 5 after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she regularly attends a parent and toddler group. The family has a dog.

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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 cared for in a warm and welcoming home in which a high standard of hygiene is evident. They feel secure and part of the family. The childminder promotes children’s physical health through a lot of outdoor exercise and activities. Children are active, a daily walk with the dog and visits to the park are part of their usual routine. There are procedures in place to deal with any medical emergencies to children and the childminder has completed first aid training. She records accidents and has written consent from parent to give routine medication, but is it not in sufficient detail. She escorts children to the toilet and supervises them washing their hands, but they do not always remember to wash their hands prior to eating. Children increase their understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, as they freely access drinks. However, they do not have a healthy option at snack time and

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Helping children to be healthy

walk around eating biscuits. Children are developing their social skills when, at lunchtime, they sit at the table and eat the food provided by their parents with the childminder’s own children.

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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 secure and generally safe environment. They develop their independence, as they select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. Children have clear space for play. Enjoying art and craft activities in the dining area of the kitchen and using the conservatory to build a large train track, they also have a comfortable lounge to relax and watch appropriate television. Most safety precautions are in place to reduce risk to children; however, some socket are exposed and the shelving unit where toys are stored is not secured to the wall. The childminder follows safe practice when taking children out, insisting the younger ones hold hands when they walk and making sure that they all use appropriate safety restraints when in the car. Procedures and documentation in place safeguard and promote children’s welfare, and the childminder has an understanding of child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protection issues and her responsibility to report relevant concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and really enjoy their time at the childminder's home. She offers good support to children, answering their questions, suggesting ideas and listening attentively when they talk to her. They enjoy each other’s company and have fun together. They develop their language through good interaction and questioning by the childminder. They learn that mice is the plural of mouse and talk

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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 about melting and freezing after watching the 'Snowman' video. Children spend their time purposefully, exploring a wide range of activities that contribute to their creativity and imagination. Although the childminder loosely plans the day, she is responsive to children's needs and interests; for example, when a child says ''We would like to play at tents.'' she finds a tent from the back of the cupboard, something that they have not played with for quite a while, and watches while they develop an imaginative game together. The family environment that the childminder creates helps children feel safe and secure. They relate well to one another and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain a very clear understanding of others and the world in which they live. They use toys which reflect diversity and collect plastic, card and paper to take to the local recycling centre. The childminder offers a consistently high standard of care, meeting children’s individual needs and promoting their well-being. She has systems in place to integrate all children and they show care and concern for each other as they play together harmoniously. Children receive a lot of praise for their achievements with good support in all areas of play. They are confident to choose resources and move freely between rooms. Children receive good continuity of care because the childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents. She spends time talking with them about their children so that she can take account of their wishes and children's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel relaxed and at ease in the child-orientated home, this means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder is organised and children benefit from the high level of quality time she spends with them. She keeps all the regulatory documents to protect children’s welfare. Her attendance register is marked daily; she displays her registration certificate and shares relevant paperwork with parents. Children's records are confidential and stored appropriately. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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 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 the shelves in the conservatory are securely fastened to the wall • provide a healthy option at snack time and ensure the consent that parents give for routine medication is more specific.

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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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