Childminder in Bracknell Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY331807 Inspection date 12 July 2006 Inspector Deborah Jaqueline Newbury

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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 satisfactory. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and one child aged one year in a residential area of Bracknell, in Berkshire. The childminder's home is close to the town centre and other local amenities. Children have access to all areas of the home. There are communal gardens to the rear of the property, which children use under the direct supervision of the childminder. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one

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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 time. She is currently caring for one child aged six years of age after school, for two days a week. Children regularly go to the park, soft play centres and local places of interest. During the day, the childminder goes to toddler groups and a local music group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, comfortable home that is well-maintained. They stay healthy, because the childminder takes generally suitable precautions to minimise the risk of cross infection and to ensure good standards of hygiene. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and after outside play. They do not, however, always wash their hands before eating. The childminder provides all food for the children currently in her care. This includes fruit and vegetables to encourage an awareness of healthy eating. Children are encouraged to drink regularly, especially in hot weather. The childminder's practice of leaving children's cups within their easy reach means that they can help themselves as and when they wish, and thus, do not go thirsty. The childminder takes account of children's preferences and their individual dietary needs when planning menus.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to be active and develop a positive attitude towards exercise, because the childminder takes children to the park every day or stops to play with them in the school playground. She includes outings to other places during school holidays, when children are present for a longer period of time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally safe inside and outside the home, because the childminder identifies areas of potential risk and takes mostly positive steps to minimise these. There are good procedures in place to ensure the security of the premises. Fire safety measures are generally effective. For instance, the childminder has devised a fire plan, and there is a fire blanket and smoke alarm in place. However, children are unaware of the procedure they should follow in the event of it being necessary to evacuate the premises, as the childminder has not talked to them about this nor have they practised a fire drill, to develop their understanding. Children learn the rules for their own safety, as the childminder guides and explains things. For instance, she teaches children about road safety and sets clear boundaries for when they are out and about. Children use an appropriate range of resources, equipment and furniture

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

that are of good quality and clean condition. Children are protected, because the childminder is aware of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect and the procedure to follow, if she has any

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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 concerns about children. Parents are notified of the childminder's responsibility with regard to child protection, by means of a written policy statement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. There is a relaxed, homely atmosphere at this childminder's home. Children attend after school and are therefore only in the childminder's care for a limited length of time. They have the freedom to make their own decisions about what they do, be it sitting and relaxing or engaging in free play. The childminder recognises that, after a busy school day or in very hot weather, children do not always want to be organised and busy and she respects their decisions, about what if anything, they choose to do. Children benefit, because the childminder spends time talking with them and asking questions, for instance, about the recent school sports day. Thus, she is able to demonstrate to them that she is interested in what they do when they are not with her. This helps children feel valued. She willingly joins in with their play and provides support and encouragement; for example, as a child shows an interest in trying to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

juggle some soft balls. There is a broad range of easily accessible toys available for young children. However, the range of items available for older children is not nearly as extensive, although the childminder is expanding this. For instance, she has identified items she would like to acquire and has put together a wish list. Whilst older children know what toys they have to play with, they cannot easily access these by themselves. This limits their opportunity for independent selection and restricts their ability to make decisions for themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel self-assured as the childminder acknowledges them as individuals and treats everyone with equal concern, both minded children and her own. Relationships are friendly and children are at ease with the childminder and her family. Children have access to some resources within the home that reflect positive images of diversity, to help children gain awareness of the wider world in which we live, although currently, the range available is minimal. Children behave well. Their self-esteem is fostered by the childminder's use of praise and positive language. They learn about acceptable behaviour as the childminder talks to them about her house rules, and explains why certain types of behaviour are undesirable. The childminder provides parents with a comprehensive "Parent Pack" that includes useful information about the way she organises her childminding service, her policies

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and procedures and contact information for Ofsted, as well as details about infectious diseases and recommended exclusion periods for these. This system benefits

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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 children, because it ensures that their parents are well-informed and have easy access to information they may need in the future. There is a daily informal exchange of information about children, which is supplemented by a communication diary. Children decorate these diaries and thus are able to feel included and involved.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home in an appropriate way, to enable children to move freely and safely around those areas used for minding. Thus, they are able to develop confidence and a sense of security in the environment. Regulatory documentation and other records that promote the health, safety and welfare of children are in place and are well-organised. Paperwork is kept securely and there are suitable procedures in place to ensure confidentiality. The childminder is aware of the most recent revisions to the National Standards and has taken steps to ensure that her policies and procedures reflect these. For instance, her written complaints procedure includes full details of the way she will investigate any complaints, together with the time-scale for doing this. Written consent is obtained for all aspects of children's care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • talk to children about the procedure they should follow in the event of a fire and provide opportunities for them to practise this, to further develop their understanding • investigate ways of making toys more easily accessible to older children to enable them to make their own decisions about what they do and build on their independence.

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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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