Childminder in West BerkshireOfsted inspection, 16 Mar 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 510202 Inspection date 16 March 2006 Inspector Jenny Scarlett

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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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her family and 2 teenage children in Thatcham, West Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. Toilet and rest facilities are available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time. She is currently minding 4 children under the age of 5, part-time and 3 school-aged children after school and some holidays. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and

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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 toddler groups. The family has a dog and a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children receive a healthy diet consisting of regular and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks. The older children take an active role in planning the weekly menus. They enjoy home cooked food, such as pasta and shepherds pie or children can bring their own lunchboxes to the setting. Children with special diets have their needs met and all the children enjoy the social aspects of eating meals together. Children enjoy and benefit from regular physical activity through visits to local parks, an indoor play centre and local attractions. Younger children can freely practise physical skills indoors, as they have plenty of space in which to move around. Children’s risk of infection is minimal. There are hygienic nappy changing procedures in place for younger children and individual hand drying facilities for older children. Older children understand good health and hygiene practices, as they wash their

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Helping children to be healthy

hands before and after meals and talk about why this is important. Good hygienic arrangements are in place to protect the children from the family pets. Children are protected and benefit from good health and hygiene procedures. These include no smoking on the premises, first aid, medication and illness arrangements. Children benefit from the childminder’s attention to their needs. For example, her caring approach when discussing a child's visit to the doctors when they have an ear infection. Most medical records are in place. However, the childminder does not consistently document and countersign all medication administered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play comfortably in a welcoming and inviting home from home environment. They have access to a large open-plan living area, with comfortable sofas and chairs, a table for eating and craft activities, and accessible toy storage. Children use a good range of interesting and safe resources, which the childminder regularly checks for damage. Children’s risk of injury is minimal as the home is safe and child friendly, for example, stair gates prevent access to the kitchen and stairs. Children are under close supervision at all times, particularly when in the garden and the family dog is present. Effective fire evacuation and prevention procedures ensure that the risk of fire to children is minimal. The older children discuss and are aware of the evacuation procedures although, these are not consistently put into practice. Children stay safe on outings as the childminder has effective procedures in place,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

such as carrying a mobile phone, written emergency contact numbers, and

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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 emergency bag. Children’s risk of harm from others is minimised, as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She ensures that all adults living in the household have appropriate checks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. The childminder has a very good understanding of the developmental needs of young children. She plans a wide range of interesting and enjoyable activities that children are eager to join in with and help them to learn. The childminder has warm and friendly relationships with the children. She enjoys playing with them and there is a lot of lively conversation and chatter. This is particularly evident when children are looking at and exploring the pictures in the books and using their imagination when playing with the firemen and the hospital play sets. The childminder is skilled at asking questions that encourage children to think and help them learn, for example, asking what bone the fireman has broken and which room he needs to go to in the hospital. She helps children develop mathematical skills by counting and comparing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

shapes and sizes. She encourages them as they build tall towers and create buildings with duplo. Children are able to choose the toys they want to play with and this helps them develop confidence and independence. The childminder is warm and affectionate, making children feel comfortable and valued. The childminder has good relationships with the children; she enjoys their company and knows them well. As a result, children are confident in their play and are making good progress in their development. Children enjoy outings on most days, which include visits to local parks and meeting other children with their childminders. This provides them with opportunities to socialise with a wider group of children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and have a strong sense of belonging. The childminder knows the children well and they freely approach her for support and affection. The children benefit from a warm, positive and trusting relationship with the childminder. Children understand responsible behaviour. The childminder uses effective methods and has a positive and consistent approach to behaviour management. As a result, children are beginning to understand the need to share toys appropriately. The children behave well and are regularly praised and encouraged which underpins the children's developing confidence and self-esteem. Children are content in the calm and settled environment. They benefit from effective continuity between the home and care environments. The childminder and the parents develop good relationships and share information on an informal regular basis. This includes the childminder discussing the details of the policies and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminding practice. A notice board detailing Ofsted contact numbers and the

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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 registration certificate is sited in the entrance hall. Parents receive daily information about their children through regular discussions. This exchange of information enables the childminder to care for the children with consistency and work with the parents to meet the changing needs of their children All the children are made to feel welcome. The childminder has a good understanding of caring for children with special needs to ensure that they are fully included in the setting. Children become aware of wider society as they access varied resources and books to develop their knowledge of diversity. They receive good support from the childminder in understanding equality and the need to respect others.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is relaxed and confident when working with the children. She sufficiently maintains her records promoting the children's welfare, care and learning and keeps a good register of the children's attendance. All mandatory documentation is in place to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting and contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing. There are written agreements in place for all the children and appropriate consents in place as required. Parents are kept fully informed about all aspects of the care, which helps build trusting relationships and ensure children's individual needs are well met. The children feel at home and are welcomed within the family environment. The space and toys are organised well to allow the children to move around freely and choose activities for themselves. The daily routine is structured so that the children

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Organisation

feel secure, but is flexible enough to allow their individual needs to be met. Children are settled and know that they can rely on the childminder for support, affection and assistance at any time. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Adults living within the home are appropriately vetted and the childminder ensures that confidentiality is maintained at all times. The childminder shows a commitment to developing her childcare knowledge and skills. She regularly attends relevant training and meets with other childminders to share aspects of good practice. The childminder is currently familiarising herself with the Birth to three matters framework, in readiness for attending the training. This additional knowledge will support her care of the younger children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to develop documentation to improve the organisation of care, to improve resources promoting equal opportunities and to ensure safety in the lounge. The childminder provides resources and activities which reflect the diversity of modern life. She has made the glass in the lounge cabinet safe to ensure risks are minimised around the children. Documentation has been developed and procedures implemented. This ensures the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children.

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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

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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 record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 administration of medicines are consistently recorded.

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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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