Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY254102 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2006 Inspection date Sheena Bankier Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2002. She lives with her partner and pre-school aged child in Pangbourne, near Reading. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, who all attend on a part time basis. The ground floor of the house is mostly used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder walks and drives to the local schools to take and collect children. The family have a pet cat. The childminder attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. She holds a NVQ3 qualification in childcare and education and is a member of the national childminding association. (NCMA)

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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 good. Children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise as they walk locally, play in the garden with toys such as, balls, scooters and a trampoline and visit the park. Indoors children enjoy dancing to music. This ensures children are active both in and out of doors which supports their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children increase their understanding of healthy food choices as they take part in cooking activities, for example, making fruit kebabs. Children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle is enhanced through discussions with the childminder, as they talk about the importance of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day for their well-being. Children benefit from nutritious meals which are mostly home cooked and have regular snacks of fruit. Treats are offered, for example, ice cream, as part of the children's balanced diet. This encourages children to develop a healthy approach to food. Children have access to drinks through the day which ensures they are able to respond to their individual needs for fluid intake. Children eat together at the table with the childminder, making meal times a relaxed and sociable occasion.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean and warm home. They learn about the importance of cleaning their hands before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder takes appropriate steps to avoid cross-infection between children as they have their own designated drinking cups and the hand towel is washed daily. Children's health needs, such as allergies and medical conditions are managed and understood well by the childminder. Parents are made fully aware of exclusions for illness. This protects the children's good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Younger children's needs are understood well. Children's individual sleep preferences and routines are accommodated. This helps children feel happy and secure as they follow a similar routine each day. Children's changing needs are acknowledged and accepted by the childminder, such as toddlers wishing to sit at the table on a booster seat instead of using a highchair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Most aspects of safety are good, although there are uncovered electric sockets on the upstairs landing where children are not always directly supervised. Children are kept safe overall, through the use of appropriate equipment, for example, a stair gate and boundaries, such as no unsupervised access to the kitchen. Children are closely supervised and remain within the childminders sight or hearing at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussions with the childminder and following rules, for example, holding onto the buggy when walking by the road. Children also practise the evacuation procedure and good road safety when crossing the road with the childminder. This raises their awareness and understanding of keeping themselves safe.

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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 The home is made welcoming to children and parents as the entrance has photos of the children and colourful posters displayed. Toys are put out for children to make choices from and children can make further decisions from well-organised resources, some of which are displayed in labelled boxes. The childminder supervises the children's choice of toys to ensure they are age and developmentally suitable. She observes children closely to ensure resources are played with appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a good understanding of her responsibility to protect children and to follow procedures to safeguard children in her care. This protects children's health and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. The children and the childminder enjoy good relationships with each other. They take part in a good range of activities, play opportunities and outings which are fun and support their development well. Children gain independence away from the home through regular attendance at toddler group. This supports and develops their confidence as they meet other children and adults in the local community.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Art and craft activities, such as gluing and sticking and painting are regularly organised in the home and children always have access to drawing materials. Children enjoy listening and dancing to music and regularly attend a music group. This encourages and supports children's creativity. Children play with role play toys, for example, a play cooker, shopping items and play food using their imagination as they pretend to cook and shop.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children explore and investigate through playing with sand and collecting items, such as feathers, conkers and fir cones on walks and shells at an outing to the seaside. They observe and care for wildlife by putting out food for the birds and visiting animal parks and zoos. This develops and extends their understanding of the world around them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides additional support to the older children's learning at school. She encourages them to take part in activities which develop concentration skills, such as board games and practises what children have learned at school, for example, through using worksheets. The childminder interacts well with the children, joining in play and activities and spends time talking and listening with them. This supports and extends their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has undertaken some training on the ‘Birth to three matters' guidance and uses this to underpin the experiences, play opportunities and outings for the younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides an good range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. These include small world toys, books, and dolls which children use in their natural play. The childminder celebrates some festival and religious dates with children, for example, through her attendance at toddler group where they made rice pictures and dragons for Chinese New

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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 Year. This allows children to increase their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain value and respect as individuals as the childminder responds positively to their needs and requests. She keeps up-to-date with their changing needs through frequent discussions with parents. The childminder has considered what she may need to take into account if caring for a child with additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and they understand the established boundaries in place. Children learn about being responsible as they help tidy up and understand the daily routines, for example, taking their shoes off when they come indoors. The children are learning to share and negotiate as they play together. Children's behaviour is managed well by the childminder using appropriate and consistent strategies to ensure children understand behaviour expectations. The childminder is well aware of using praise to encourage good behaviour and understands the importance of praising and encouraging children to develop and support children's self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has very good relationships with parents and encourages open communication between them. She shares her policies and procedures with them, which ensures they are clear about the service she offers. Regular exchanges of information take place, which contributes to continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Children enjoy a good range of well-organised activities. The childminder provides a good level of support to the children's learning through the toys, activities and interaction she provides. Children benefit from separate areas for sleep, eating and play.

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Organisation

The childminder has suitable experience and she has completed the courses in line with the national standards for childminding. She also holds a recognised early years qualification and has attended some further training courses. This helps to support and develop her practice with children.

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Organisation

The childminder has written policies that provide clear guidelines and procedures for her childminding business. All required paperwork is in place and is organised well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set three actions and two recommendations.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two actions concerned fire safety and the childminder was required to put in place a working smoke alarm and a fire blanket. This has been addressed and these are now in place. One action was in regard to obtaining a First Aid certificate. The childminder has completed a paediatric first aid course. This helps to safeguard children's welfare and safety.

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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 One of the recommendations was to ensure suitable toys to reflect equal opportunities. The childminder has increased the resources to include role play items, books and small world toys. This encourages the children's understanding of diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The second recommendation was to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice for children. This has now been obtained. This ensures children's health and welfare is protected in the event of an emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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.

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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 electric sockets are made safe in all areas of the home to which the children have access.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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