Cox, Rosemary Christine

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 116939 Inspection date 15 June 2005 Inspector Christine Cutts

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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 has been a registered for since 1995. She lives with her husband and three children; all of whom are work age. The childminding premises are situated in Caversham Heights. The ground floor is mainly used for childminding, with sleeping facilities located upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight and is currently minding, one child under five, full time and three children under three, on a part time

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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 basis. The family have a pet hamster and rat kept in son’s bedroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop and achieve with the childminder promoting children’s physical development and well-being effectively. Each day there are opportunities and activities to help children develop control of their bodies, for example visits to activity centres, walks to the park and play in the garden. Effective use is made of age appropriate toys helping children progress in their development, with craft activities, activity books and puzzles. Children develop co-ordination skills and an understanding that actions can cause reactions, giving children a sense of self and that they have an impact on the world around them. The children's home routines are valued such as sleep and feed patterns to help give a consistency of care, building children's emotional well being and sense of belonging. The childminder works well with parents to meet each child’s individual dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from the childminders previous food handling training enables her to ensure food and drink are prepared and stored appropriately and this reduces the risk to children’s health. Children have a clean and well-maintained home environment in which good hygiene routines help minimise risks of cross infection, keeping children healthy and well. All relevant documentation is in place however, parental consents for and acknowledgement of medication are not clearly recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well organised home where the childminder identifies and reduces risks. This means the children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The children are happy playing with a very wide range of good quality toys, confidently choosing and exploring the toys that are safely stored for the children to easily access, enabling them to make their own choices. To safeguard the children's welfare and protection the childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place, for example the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 Children play and learn in a home environment, with a good range of quality toys easily accessible and supporting their progress in all areas of learning. The childminder does not use the Birth to Three matters framework in her planning of activities to support younger children's development; however, she does offer a balance of activities in a flexible daily routine to meet the developmental needs of the children. Children's early communication and learning skills are developing well, the childminder joins in their play and acknowledges their use of language, encouraging them to talk and read books with her. She develops their concentration skills by encouraging them to try and praising their efforts, building the child's confidence and self-esteem, while making cards and collage pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy playing and moving around the home, selecting from age appropriate toys, sorting through the toys boxes. The childminder encourages and praises the children's efforts, helping the children to contribute to their own learning. The children develop an understanding of others through socializing at toddler groups and using an excellent range of resources that promote equal opportunities and celebrating events from other cultures such as Chinese New Year, learning to value themselves as well as others. Good relationships with parents, with good exchanges of information, help the childminder meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder has a clear understanding of special needs issues and prepares well to meet the needs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the good organisation of the space and resources available as well as the childminding commitments, which enable the childminder to support fully the children in her care. Offering the children a safe and secure environment in which they feel happy and relaxed. The childminder has undertaken an extensive range of training including the National Vocational qualification in childcare to a level three, which helps her support the children in her care. All relevant documentation is in place, however, some areas lack detail. The childminder provides a full range of information for parents, including daily diaries and good relationships between childminder and parents help her, meet the children's individual needs. Overall, the needs of the children attending are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The children have very good opportunities to learn about the world around them with access to an excellent range of resources that promote equal opportunities. The childminder has put a lot of thought into her resources that support children's understanding of themselves and others and now offers a good range of resources and activities to improve this area of her provision. Parents have information on how to make a complaint, however not all information to parents has been updated.

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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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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 written parental permissions are in place before medication is given and use in place medication records to record dosage and time given as well as parental acknowledgements.

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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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