Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY229512 Unique Reference Number 16 June 2006 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 three children aged nine, four and one in Theale, a village west of Reading. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler groups, takes children to the local library and to local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

four children, three of whom are at school. All of the children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has two cats and some fish as pets.

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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 learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine. They wash their hands after going to the toilet, playing in the garden and before meals. Children know which is their individual towel and are clear about why they need to wash their hands, because of germs. The childminder has good hygiene practices herself when changing nappies and preparing food.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder actively promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. She has accident and medication records, and has written permission for first aid or emergency advice. She has a valid paediatric first aid certificate. The childminder has knowledge of the children's medical and dietary needs. The children have healthy options for snack, such as bananas and apples. Younger children are given regular drinks, such as water, juice and milk. Older children access drinks easily when they are thirsty. Children enjoy varied balanced, nutritious lunches and older children who stay for a cooked tea are able to help choose the menu.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy physical exercise and the childminder successfully ensures that they have a wide range of activities, both indoors and out, to help them develop their physical skills. Children go to the park regularly, as well as playing in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She is aware of potential hazards and minimises these so that the children are in a safe environment. Children learn to keep themselves and others safe, for example an older child tells the baby that they must not go towards the kitchen. Children practise evacuation procedures and items such as smoke alarms are tested weekly. However, the fire blanket is in a cupboard in the kitchen, which is not easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending, which includes items such as safety barriers. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use. The childminder has a good range of toys and equipment for the children to use, which covers all areas of their development. The children independently access and choose from the toys that are available within the living room. The childminder supports the children with their selection and rotates the toys with both favourites and others, so that they do not become bored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a working knowledge of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good relationships with the childminder. She is very aware of individual children's developmental needs and ensures they receive appropriate support. The children get on well together, learning to share and to take turns. The minded child involves the baby, for example, suggesting that he turns the next page of the story they are all reading together. The children enjoy imaginative play especially when playing with the dolls house. They receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder, which promotes their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children take part in a variety of activities, both in and out of doors. The childminder plans each day according to the needs of the children attending. She uses the Birth to three matters framework effectively to ensure that the children have a variety of experiences. The children make choices about what they would like to do and direct their own play. The children also take part in planned activities, for example, making father's day cards. They confidently select items to play with from the range available in the living room.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans and undertakes regular outings with the children, which promotes their social development. These include trips to the park, the library and to local toddler clubs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has good knowledge of the individual needs of each child through discussion with parents. She is clear on routes of referral, including discussions with the parents, if she has concerns about a child in her care, so ensuring the child's welfare. When planning activities, she considers the children in her care, their stage of development and ability and chooses activities in which all the children can take part. The children are using a range of resources to learn about the diversity of society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages the children’s behaviour appropriately for the age and stage of development of the children. The childminder encourages good standards of behaviour, by the use of positive behaviour strategies, praise and encouragement, which builds the children's confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. Contracts are in place so that both parents and childminder are clear about the arrangements. The childminder discusses daily with parents to keep them informed about their children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She organises her time and the space available well, to give the children a good range of play and learning experiences both in and outside of the home environment. All the children benefit from the

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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 childminder's organisation of the day. All areas of the house used for childminding are laid out well, which benefits the children.

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Organisation

The childminder has all the required documentation in place to make sure that she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. She also has a range of policies in place, which she shares with the parents.

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Organisation

The childminder undertakes a variety of courses to update her knowledge and understanding of young children. She uses the Birth to three matters framework when planning her activities. The children benefit from her knowledge and experience, which she uses to ensure their ongoing well-being, safety, care and enjoyment of activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made. The provider was asked to consider having the gas boiler and fire serviced to ensure they meet safety requirements and to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The boiler is serviced annually and documentation has been seen to verify this. All parents have given written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for their children, should the need arise. These measures contribute to the safety and welfare of the children.

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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 any 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): • review the location of the fire blanket in the kitchen, so that it is easily accessible in an emergency.

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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 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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