Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY219737 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2006 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington 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 outstanding. 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 registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and two children under eight years in a detached property on the outskirts of Bracknell. The childminder uses all areas of the house for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for four children under eight years. She occasionally works with an assistant. There are currently five children on roll. The childminder collects and takes children to the local school. She attends children's music activities.

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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 outstanding. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of how to promote children's good health, by providing good food, a clean and pleasant environment and fun opportunities to develop physical abilities. Children enjoy healthy varied and nutritious meals cooked freshly each day. The childminder ensures children have sufficient amounts of fruit and vegetables each day in their diet. Arrangements for the very youngest children’s meals enable the children to receive continuity in their diet as parents provide their food.

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Helping children to be healthy

The immaculately clean premises, toys and equipment provide a pleasant and healthy environment for the children's play. Sensible routines ensure toys are cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of germs. All children learn good hygiene routines from a very early age as the childminder talks to them and sets a good example by cleaning their hands after nappy changes and toileting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical abilities confidently in the spacious environment. Furniture and equipment is organised efficiently to provide floor space for the children's play whilst still ensuring there is room for young children to roll and pull up to the standing position safely. Older children benefit from the spacious garden where they can safely run, climb and dig in the sand and soil developing their muscle control and physical strength.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Excellent care is taken to ensure the children play in a safe environment where they begin to develop awareness for their own safety. Children play and rest in a well maintained, clean and fresh environment which benefits from natural light. Space is used well enabling all children to play safely with their respective toys and also develop their personal independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the childminder's extensive understanding of safety issues. As a result children develop their understanding of safe behaviour both within the home and on outings in the community. For example, children play games which help to develop awareness and understanding of road safety as they act out the role of the lollipop lady. The childminder gets to know the children and allows them to develop their independence at a level suitable to their individual requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is supported by a childminder who has a secure understanding of child protection issues and the action she would take if she were concerned about a child in her care. Therefore, the children's well being is actively promoted at all times.

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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 outstanding. Children have outstanding opportunities to develop their skills in the care of the childminder. They experience good opportunities to choose resources independently and to initiate activities for themselves. For example the children explore the playroom, independently accessing age appropriate toys. Children have great fun singing and doing actions with the childminder who sets a good example demonstrating, listening and encouraging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the warm caring relationship they have with the childminder. Through good communication with parents the childminder understands their differing needs of each child in her care. Children undertake visits within the local community enabling them to develop their social skills and awareness. They enjoy weekly visits to a music group where they learn songs and use musical instruments.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their senses through excellent opportunities to play with natural materials in the fresh air. They enjoy the experience of digging in soil and sand, and splashing in puddles. The childminder recognises the importance of ensuring children have sufficient stimulation, activity, nourishment and rest to enable them to enjoy the experiences they are offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are valued and acknowledged as individuals, which has a positive impact on their confidence and feelings of self worth. They are gaining an awareness of diversity by accessing a good range of easily available resources, including dolls, books, puzzles, dressing up clothes and small world figures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care and development is enhanced through the positive relationship that exists between the childminder and their parents. Positive letters of recommendation and thanks indicate that parents are happy with the quality service that is provided by the childminder. There are informal, daily opportunities to share children's progress and achievements and records are maintained of the children's developmental progress. This helps to promote a consistent approach to the children's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good behaviour is encouraged through excellent role modelling. The childminder verbally demonstrates an excellent knowledgeable understanding of effective strategies to promote children's positive behaviour. Children are learning to share, take turns and show respect for each other in all that they do.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is an experienced childcare provider who makes excellent use of all her available resources. She organises the provision very effectively to promote the children's care and development ensuring all the children's physical, emotional and developmental needs are met well. She ensures 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 children have a stimulating and interesting day by taking the children on outings, providing fun activities and devoting her time to their care. Children are happy and relaxed in the environment.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the requirements of her childminding registration and maintains all necessary documentation clearly and effectively taking into account the needs for confidentiality.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given recommendations to improve the record of attendance, obtain information about the area child protection procedures and ensure she had sought consent to seek medical advice or treatment. The record of attendance is now maintained clearly and contains all the required information to provide an accurate and clear record. The children's welfare and well being is promoted through the childminders understanding of child protection issues and consents for emergency advice or treatment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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