Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY330537 Inspection date 11 September 2006 Inspector Patricia Joan Latham

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2006. She lives with her partner in a three bedroom semi-detached house, on a residential estate, in Emerson Valley near the centre of Milton Keynes. The whole of downstairs is available for childminding with upstairs used for sleep purposes only. There is a fully enclosed garden available for the children's outside play. Her home is within walking distance of local shops, parks, pre-school and schools. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care. She is currently minding two children, one on a part time basis.

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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder follows hygienic practice, which maintains children’s health. She keeps all areas that children use, clean and follows hygienic routines when changing babies’ nappies. Older children learn to wash their hands frequently to avoid cross infection. The childminder holds appropriate qualifications to deal with medical emergencies and obtains necessary written permission from parents. However, she has not established a clear system yet for recording accidents or medication administered. Children receive nutritious food and regular outdoor exercise, to promote their physical well-being. The childminder provides cooked meals, when required, which include a good balance of freshly prepared ingredients. She collects information regarding children’s likes, dislikes, and meets any dietary needs. Children have access to a good range of outdoor equipment in the garden and are taken for daily

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

walks to local leisure areas. This maintains their health and enables them to acquire, and practise, necessary physical skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and welcoming environment. All exits, and areas within the home are safe and secure. The childminder ensures necessary safety equipment is in place and carries out risk assessments of the areas children use to ensure they remain safe at all times. She follows safe practice when taking children out for outings, obtaining parent’s permission and using appropriate safety seats if using the car. All children are encouraged to follow safe practice, such as crossing roads safely, and the childminder supervises them closely to ensure they stay within sight. The childminder provides a range of good quality equipment and toys, which help support children’s play and development. There is sufficient available for the number and ages of children that are minded and the childminder keeps all resources clean and in good repair. Toys cover all areas of play and the childminder extends and

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children receive good care and are happy and content. The childminder plans her day around their needs, following children’s personal routines such as feeding and

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 sleeping. Around this, she ensures children take part in stimulating activities appropriate for their age and stage of development. Babies take part in activities, which extend their sensory skills, playing with a range of tactile, musical toys. Older children have toys to extend their imagination and creative skills. They can also use the childminder’s computer, with supervision, The childminder interacts well with the children, offering many cuddles to babies, laughing and playing with them. She enjoys offering more structured activities with older children, supporting their learning as they play.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures she promotes children’s feeling of self worth. She offers a great deal of positive interaction with children, providing lots of praise and encouragement. She encourages children to respect others and to understand the cultural differences within our society. The childminder endeavours to always act as a good role model, treating children with respect and extending activities to ensure all ages can take part. She has effective strategies in place for managing children’s behaviour to enable children to develop good codes of conduct. Children with learning needs, or disabilities, can receive appropriate support to aid their development. The childminder is able to meet children’s individual needs and to work with parents and other professionals. The childminder forms a good working relationship with parents and keeps them well informed about her services. This ensures continuity of care for children. She

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

arranges pre-visits at which she explains about her service and gives daily feedback about what children have been doing. She provides information about some of her policies and procedures; however does not include information about her complaints procedure.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her childminding service well. She plans her daily routine to meet children’s individual needs and follows clear procedures to ensure they stay healthy and safe. The childminder has attended all necessary training and in addition has attended several relevant workshops. She is beginning to formulate written policies and procedures to show to parents; however, at present these do not include the procedure for them to follow in the event they have a complaint. The childminder keeps all paperwork secure to ensure children’s details remain confidential. She records children’s attendance, but not in a systematic manner. Neither has she established a system for recording any accidents that might occur to children, nor for any medicines that she administers. There is no complaints log in place. The childminder has a procedure for recording relevant information about the

p.4

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 children she minds and is aware of the timescale paperwork needs to be retained for.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 satisfactory. 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): • establish an organised system for recording children's daily attendance, any medical accidents that may occur and any medicines administered • ensure parents are made aware of the procedure to follow in the event they have a complaint, which includes contact details for Ofsted; establish a complaints log.

p.5

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

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.5