Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY316948 Inspection date 25 April 2006 Inspector Clare Louise Perry

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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 two daughters aged five years and eight months in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's property is used for childminding, with sleep facilities on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have some fish. The childminder is currently minding two children, all who attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The childminder

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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 has a Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, which is clean and hygienic. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines and guidance; they wash their hands after using the toilet, having contact with animals and before meals. There are good procedures and documentation in place for dealing with accidents and sick children, to safeguard their welfare and promote children's good health. Children are well nourished; they enjoy nutritious home cooked foods. The childminder is careful to provide a balanced diet and encourage the children to try new foods. Children enjoy a range of fruits and vegetables as snacks, for example raisins and carrot. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents, supporting children with specific dietary needs. Children freely access their individual drinking cups from the side in the kitchen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activities both in the home environment and in the local community. They go out into the garden to play with a range of toys, visit the park to access larger climbing equipment and swings. They also enjoy dancing to music and copying dance routines from a DVD. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs and parents' wishes. The childminder reads children's signals of tiredness well and puts them to sleep in a travel cot or spare bed upstairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play, rest and eat in a welcoming and safe environment. For example, children eat their meals and enjoy creative activities in the dining area of the kitchen, have a comfortable area in the lounge to relax and play quietly, as well as a playroom. Children are able to independently select activities from a range of good quality safe toys and equipment, stored in the lounge or playroom. Children access a safe and secure environment. They remain safe on outings as the childminder uses good methods to safeguard children. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through discussions and good daily practice. The childminder explains clearly to them possible hazards, for example, sitting down whilst eating so they do not choke and being aware of hot drinks. They talk about road safety and stranger danger. The childminder has taken most precautions to reduce risks to children, however, she does not have sufficient smoke alarms on both floors in her

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

property. Children are well protected as the childminder has a very good knowledge of child protection issues and a clear understanding of her responsibilities to refer relevant

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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 concerns and how to protect herself and others in her family. The childminder has undertaken child protection training in the past to improve her understanding and knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, happy and well settled. They feel a sense of belonging and are at home in the setting. Children access a good range of planned activities to develop their learning. The childminder produces a weekly written activity plan related to a simple theme, where she records outings, toys and activities. She includes a good balance of structured and free play. The children enjoy cooking, creative activities, dancing, story time and singing when they are at the childminder's house. The children also enjoy going out and about to the local park, for walks, to toddlers and on bigger trips in the school holidays. Children make positive relationships; they relate well to each other, they are happy in each other’s company and that of the childminder. The children are developing their independence skills and are able to make choices, for example, they select toys from the play room and select which activity they would

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

like, either drawing or singing. The childminder knows the children well; she has a very good understanding of child development and how to support their learning, as she is a qualified nursery nurse with many years experience. The childminder has a basic knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework, which supports children's learning and development in their earliest years. The childminder is careful to use her time effectively, ensuring she allows time to spend with the children in a group but also as individuals focussing on things the children particularly like to do, for example, watching and feeding the fish or dancing. The children enjoy imaginative play, pretending to change a dolls nappy with real baby wipes and then putting the doll to sleep in the baby swing. Children receive a great deal of praise and encouragement from the childminder. She acknowledges their kind gestures, such as sharing toys, as well as all their attempts and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children follow their individual daily routine; they rest and eat according to parents' wishes and their needs. The childminder manages the needs of a group of children of mixed ages well; they are all well occupied and happy, she talks to them all constantly, offering much praise and encouragement and her time. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through discussions, resources and by celebrating special occasions, festivals and birthdays. They learn about the local community as they visit toddlers, the park, shops, and friends. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to care for children with special needs, although none currently attend.

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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 Children behave well, they understand responsible behaviour and are learning the reasons why some behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder has produced a detailed policy to ensure she is able to work with parents so expectations of children are consistent. Partnership with parents is good. The childminder works well with parents to meet children's individual needs. The childminder shares detailed written information about her childminding practice with parents. She also shares daily written and verbal information about children's well-being and activities, ensuring a close working relationship.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of caring for children and how to meet their needs. She undertakes regular training to increase her knowledge and skills and to support her childminding practice. The childminder has a good awareness of her own strengths and weaknesses and strives to improve her practice. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children, she organises her home and routines efficiently to provide children with an environment where they are safe, settled and happy. She plans her days well to ensure each child's needs are met. The childminder produces good written policies and procedures, which work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Her documentation is well organised and presented and effectively shared with parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of

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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 appropriate smoke alarms are in place on all levels of the property.

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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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