Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY219728 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2006 Inspection date Claudia Padfield Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and their three children in Slough, Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local toddler group and takes children to the library and park. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a current first aid certificate.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing their physical skills through the extremely good range of activities and opportunities available to them within the home and in the garden and local area. Children experience a wide variety of outings within the weekly planning to access physical activities outside the home. These include using toddler groups, going to a selection of different parks and Jungle Mania. Children have access to an excellent range of safe, age and stage appropriate equipment within the home. This enables children to begin to develop both small and large muscle skills and develop confidence in their physical abilities.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because the childminder has highly effective procedures in place to ensure good standards of hygiene and to minimise potential for the spread of infection. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that children's individual needs are met, particularly in relation to hygiene. Children have their own colour set of towel and flannel. The childminder encourages children to wash their face and hands before meals and snacks and when preparing for cooking activities .

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is extremely aware of any specific health issues and problems regarding the children in her care. She updates her knowledge from the parents and effectively ensures she meets the specific health needs of the children on a daily basis, ensuring the on-going continuity of care between the home and the setting. The childminder holds all of the required documentation and extensive policies and procedures are in place to record accidents and administration of medication.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes healthy eating within her home. Children receive healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks. Mealtimes are a very sociable occasion with the children and the childminder sitting together, they chat about the food they are eating. The childminder is able to give effective support to young children who are beginning to learn to feed themselves in a relaxed and sociable way. Children enjoy the variety of fruits on offer at snack time and happily try a wide selection knowing the names of fruits they like.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Risks of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant and has a thorough understanding of how to complete daily risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. Children receive a high level of supervision within the home. Toys and resources appropriate to the children's age and stage of development are available. Children self-select and make choices from the comprehensive range accessible to them. The childminder sources other outlets to help increase the variety of toys and experiences available to the children; she has high regard for children's safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare and development through regular communication with parents, concise and comprehensive written policies and procedures; this

p.3

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 ensures that all required documentation is accurately completed and in place. However contact details in her complaints procedure require updating.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a first aid certificate and is consequently able to deal with minor accidents and incidents effectively. The childminder has an excellent awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has attended training to increase her knowledge. She has extensive procedures in place to record concerns and is aware of the procedures to follow should she need to refer any concerns regarding a child in her care. This ensures the welfare and safety of the children at all times.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an excellent range of exciting play and activities. These are adult led, planned and organised by the childminder. They receive adult guidance to give them extra support if needed, but independence is promoted as much as possible. The childminder sets them challenges along with a range of stimulating play to aid their development. She is aware of the Foundation Stage and Birth to three matters framework which she uses to ensure the children have sufficient challenges and learning opportunities. These are offered in a flexible environment which considers each child's personal routines and development.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle quickly and relish the activities provided. For example spending time decorating cup cakes with icing and sprinkles. They make choices about which activities they complete and discuss their thoughts and wishes with the childminder who listens with interest and uses skilful questioning and pauses to give the children time to think and formulate a reply. Children eagerly participate in the range of planned activities and enjoy the company of the childminder, who ensures that through careful observations and discussions with the parents that each child is challenged developmentally

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows each child extremely well, she treats them with respect, meets their needs and values their individuality, this helps them to feel good about themselves. The childminder has a positive understanding of equal opportunities issues, and this helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through the regular outings within the local community, for example, to the park and local toddler groups and music sessions at the local library.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to the childminder and readily take part in activities; they help to tidy away, and behave well. They are aware of the boundaries and the childminder manages children's behaviour calmly and patiently. This encourages children to respond effectively to any guidance and praise. The partnership with parents is good. Parents have the opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns daily with the childminder. Who also provides detailed records about the time spent at the childminder's. This ensures good home links, which enables parents to share and help with their child's development.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children's needs are met through very effective organisation and excellent communication with parents. Children enjoy the well organised space and resources which they easily access, activities and toys of choice. Children receive excellent support and have a good rapport with the childminder. A balance of child lead activities and organised play ensure children have a range of different enjoyable experiences and opportunities to learn and develop what they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to.

p.5

Organisation

Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. All of the acquired policies and procedures are in place to help the children keep healthy and safeguard their welfare. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience. The childminder has an excellent business like approach to her minding and maintains her records well. These records ensure the children are protected. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to keep to her minded numbers. The certificate of registration is displayed on the wall and the childminder keeps daily records of attendance to ensure her ratios are adhered to. This protects the children and provides suitable levels of support and interaction from the child minder.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

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

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 complaints policy has up to date contact details

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6