Childminder in Bracknell Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY316985 Inspection date 23 May 2006 Inspector Nicola Hill

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and their two children aged seven and five. They live in a semi-detached house in Ascot. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities available on this floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler group. She holds a valid first aid qualification. She is

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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 registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged three years, who attends on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Each day the children benefit from fun outdoor activities such as ball games, playing in the sand tray and visits to local parks. This improves children's physical skills and helps them to develop control of their bodies. Daily walks to and from nursery and discussion about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, also enables the children to develop a positive attitude towards exercise. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs. The food provided by the childminder is nutritious and freshly prepared, which promotes children's good health. They enjoy fruit and vegetables that the childminder incorporates into snacks and lunches, such as pasta dishes, potato salads and couscous. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of a healthy diet by talking with the childminder about the food they are eating, taking part in cooking

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Helping children to be healthy

activities and helping to grow vegetables in the garden. They are also able to help themselves to drinking water throughout the day. The childminder discusses and records individual parental wishes and children's dietary needs to ensure she meets the needs of the individual children. Children's health is promoted by daily routines to ensure the premises and resources are clean and well maintained. The children are well protected from infection because the childminder is well informed about children's health care matters and shares this with parents. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They know why it is important to wash their hands, and do so after visiting the toilet, before meals and after messy play activities.

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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 home that is welcoming, safe and in a good state of repair and decoration. The layout is sufficiently designed to enable children to develop their independence as they explore and play freely. Good security precautions also contribute to child safety. The front door remains locked at all times and children are only released to authorised known carers. The childminder acts as a good role model, ensuring children are learning about the importance of staying safe. She discusses road safety with them when out on walks and has effective procedures in place for emergency evacuation. Children are able to access a broad range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate toys and resources. Many toys are easily accessible to the children allowing self-selection. They are stored in a variety of labelled boxes in the living

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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 room to encourage independent access. Toys are rotated on a regular basis to ensure variety. The childminder regularly checks the toys to ensure they are clean and in a good condition. Children are well protected as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home. The childminder has all the consents and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has accident and medication records, written safety policies and takes emergency contact details of the children with her when out. Her knowledge of child protection issues is good and she understands the procedures to follow should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and secure in their relationship with the childminder. The childminder finds out about children's needs and interests before they attend. This helps them to settle well and benefit from care that is consistent with their home routines. The children are comfortable and happy within the home. They are confident to initiate conversations with the childminder and visitors to the setting and talk freely about their families and home events. The children receive lots of cuddles and meaningful praise, which increases their sense of belonging and encourages them to be increasingly independent. These close and caring relationships increase the children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children encounter a varied range of experiences, which contribute to their development, both inside and outside the home. They benefit from walks and regular

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

outings to the park and other amenities, which promotes their learning and stimulates their interest in the wider world. They have opportunities to mix with other children when attending local toddler groups, which develops their ability to relate to a wider group of adults and peers. Young children thrive through the exciting range of activities and experiences offered to them. They are provided with an assortment of fun experiences such as role play, construction, stories, art and craft and outdoor play. The childminder has written plans in place, which helps her to be prepared for each day and ensures the children are well stimulated. However, she is also very keen to build on the children's interests. For example, she helps a child who is interested in Vikings to build and decorate a large Viking ship out of cardboard boxes. The childminder is fully involved in children’s play as she pretends to be the patient for the child playing with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

doctors set. She knows when to join in and give support to children and when to leave children to explore and initiate their own play. The children spend their time purposefully and are eager to participate. Their communication skills are well supported as the childminder responds to their gestures and talks to them as they play. They are beginning to make sense of the world and express their ideas as they join in a range of exploratory and sensory experiences such as sand and water play, playdough, colouring and painting.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are being met as the childminder follows their daily routines and informs parents about their care and development through daily diaries. Relationships with parents are friendly and open and their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to. The childminder has developed well written policies and procedures for parents to ensure they are fully informed of all aspects of the business. Children develop self-esteem and confidence as they voice their opinions, make choices and have their achievements praised by the childminder. The childminder has realistic expectations and acts as a good role model which encourages children to behave well. The clear rules and boundaries in place ensure that children feel secure in their environment. The children are well behaved and polite. Children are becoming more aware of the wider world and are learning to develop a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

positive attitude towards others through regular outings and toys and books that reflect diversity. However, there are currently minor weaknesses in the provision of resources that show images of disability. Children are encouraged to discuss and accept differences and learn about cultures other than their own. For example, the childminder talks to children about her home country of Columbia and helps them to learn words in Spanish.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease with the well organised environment. The areas used for play are safe and welcoming and organised well, which allows children to feel completely at home and ensures there are good opportunities to extend learning and initiate play. Good adult interaction enables the children to be confident and self-assured and they benefit from the sharing of information between the childminder and parents. The day is organised to give children the opportunity to experience a range of both indoor and outdoor activities, and they have regular opportunities to relax as well as be active within the daily routine. Children receive good levels of care and are well supported because the childminder organises her time effectively around their needs and maintains required adult to child ratios at all times. The childminder also makes time to read through new guidance and other relevant childcare publications. This increases the childminder's

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Organisation

knowledge, which contributes to the quality of care. Policies and procedures are used effectively, and are shared with parents to inform them about the service being offered. The childminder has all of the required records and consents in place, which enables her to meet the children's needs. However, there is currently one minor weakness as the childminder has not recorded the attendance of a child cared for as part of an emergency placement.

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Organisation

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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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 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): • further develop the range of resources that reflect diversity to increase children's awareness of the wider world • make sure documentation is completed accurately by ensuring attendance of all children is recorded, including those cared for in an emergency.

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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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