Childminder in West Berkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY232309 Inspection date 18 October 2005 Inspector Melissa Cox

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

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and their two daughters in a two bedroom maisonette in Thatcham. The property is on the first floor and is accessed by a small flight of stairs outside the property and inside the property. She is registered to care for three children under the age of eight years and currently cares for two children on a part-time basis. Overnight care is not offered. The children have access to the lounge, hallway and child's bedroom The master

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 bedroom will be used for children sleeping in a travel cot. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have no pets. Local amenities such as the library, town centre shops, local parks, Pre-schools and school's Toddler Clubs and the Children's Centre are within walking distance. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive approach to maintaining and protecting children's good health. The children are familiar with the routines during the day for hand washing and childminder remains alert to reinforce good practice as necessary to give children a thorough understanding of good hygiene. Children's occasional accidents are noted and the childminder shares the information with parents. The children enjoy regular snacks and drinks during the day which are healthy and nutritious. The childminder works with parents to ensure that she meets the children's dietary needs. The children sit together at the table to eat their food, making it a pleasurable and sociable time. Babies and young children settle remarkably quickly. They receive huge amounts of attention, and are cuddled and talked to constantly to help them feel welcome and emotionally secure. Children follow their own routine for eating and sleeping to

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

improve their comfort and good practice provides children with security and familiarity. All children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise which is appropriate for their age and stage of development and they participate in an extensive range of activities to challenge their physical ability.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children spend their time in a very clean and welcoming environment. The family home has spacious areas for play and the children can access many toys for themselves, from low shelves and cupboards. The children are familiar with what is available and they can readily point out where items live, appropriately developing their independence. The resources they play with are in good condition and there is a good range on offer, which caters for the wide age range of children the childminder cares for. In the outdoor area the children play safely in the secure garden. The childminder conscientiously preserves children's wellbeing by continuously monitoring safety issues in and around the home, and by supervising children closely. Children learn house rules and good practice to avoid accidental injury and

p.3

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 they develop a caring nature through copying the childminder. The childminder protects children's welfare by having a good awareness of how to address child protection issues.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children very much enjoy their day. They all receive attention and genuine affection from the childminder and they are very secure. Children participate in a huge range of activities, which develop new interests and extend their knowledge, and the childminder's skilful planning provides increased challenges to help children make all round progress. The children have opportunities to make choices about what to play and the childminder helps to sustain their concentration by her involvement and interaction with them. Conversations are frequent and the childminder encourages the children to talk about what they are playing. The children receive good support from the childminder, as she gives them just the right amount of help, for example showing a younger child how to arrange the happy street tracks. Babies and young children are responsive to adults and their non-verbal communication is excellent. They join in activities with older children, with

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the help of the childminder, and they show interest in everything around them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are developing good social skills as they learn how to share toys and take turns. The childminder intervenes appropriately to help the children to be fair and to think about their behaviour. She is a very good role model in her calm and patient approach. The childminder has good strategies for building good relationships with parents and carers, which contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. She ensures records of activities and procedures are comprehensive and clear, and religiously shares information to ensure consistency and help parents and carers feel actively involved in their children's development. The children are learning about diversity in the wider world, as they play with resources that present them with positive images of different cultures and backgrounds.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her paperwork neatly and all the required documentation is in place. She is careful to record information from parents to help her attend to the children's needs and to ensure that she builds positive relationships with families.

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 The children benefit from the childminder's supportive and caring attitude. She uses her knowledge to provide children with a pleasant and safe home environment. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend. The children have a good balance, in the organisation of the daily routine, between play and rest. The childminder has good local knowledge and she ensures that the children have outings to parks and groups to provide interest and opportunities to mix with others.

p.4

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.

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 good. 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): • develop and implement a complaints procedure

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