Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY252791 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 good. 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 September 2003. She lives with her husband and three children who are 17, 14 and eight years of age. The family live in the rural village of Piddington, situated between High Wycombe and Stokenchurch. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with rest facilities upstairs. There is a rear garden available for outside play. The family have two pet cats and the childminder takes children to see the family horse.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and is currently caring for five children under the age eight years and four children over the age of eight years. Children attend on a full and part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently takes children to and collects them from Radnidge Church of England School and Stokenchurch Primary.

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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 good. The childminder follows effective hygiene procedures, which protect children from the spread of infection. For example, she cleans the high chair with antibacterial spray, uses baby wipes to clean children after meals and ensures toys and all areas of the home are hygienically maintained. She further promotes children’s welfare as she has a good understanding of food hygiene procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the value of healthy eating. Snacks and main meals are nutritious and include a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables such as sweet potato, broccoli, carrots and onions. Children have independent access to drinking water.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is well organised, to deal with minor accidents. She promotes children’s welfare, as there is effective communication with parents relating to accidents. Children enjoy a good range of outings and activities, which contributes to their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home offers children a large play space which is effectively organised. Children benefit by being cared for in a safe environment. The childminder takes generally good safety precautions, therefore minimising the risk of accidents. As a result children are able to move around the house, freely and independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder accompanies children whilst playing outside; however, the garden boundary has a small gap which children could access, which compromises their safety. Children have use of a large trampoline, which has secure netting. Toddlers are taught how to manage the small steps onto the grass safely. The childminder reinforces safety rules, such as staying away from the rear of the garden and children gain an understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes children’s welfare, in relation to fire protection. She provides a fire blanket in the kitchen, maintains the smoke alarms and ensures the keys are easily available for locked doors if a quick exit is required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A good range of suitable equipment is in place to support the care of the children attending. For example, toddlers sleep upstairs in the travel cot, eat at the table or in the high chair and all children have appropriate car seats.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection promotes children’s welfare. She has a sound knowledge of the possible indicators of abuse and has the government guidance booklet in relation to the procedures to follow.

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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 good. Children have access to stimulating range of play activities. They enjoy completing puzzles and matching pairs. The childminder extends the development of younger children. She talks constantly to them, extending their language and encourages them to choose a particular colour item, for example, a red tomato from the selection of play food. Children gain much enjoyment from watching their favourite television programmes. During this time, the childminder sits with the children and discusses what is happening, extending and supporting their learning from the programme.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children greatly benefit from the childminder’s time and attention. Children laugh as they are safely raised high into the air and happily repeat their demand for this. They delight in showing off their skill at imitating animals. They snap like crocodiles, jump like kangaroos and extend their arms to replicate an elephant's trunk.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The large garden offers children plenty of scope for enjoyment. The large secure trampoline, enables older children to use their large muscles and offers a secure place for much younger children to sit with age related toys whilst watching others run around.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the wide range of stimulating outings. They enjoy walks in the country, outings by the river and indoor physical play areas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident and secure in the care of the childminder who has a very good knowledge of their individual needs. The childminder cares for the children in a warm manner and meets their needs by giving them much attention. The childminder enhances children’s self-esteem. She praises their abilities and cuddles them warmly as she tells them how gorgeous they are.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behaved very well and have a clear understanding of the house rules. For example, they sit down when they eat their fruit and tidy up after playing with the toys. The childminder is a good role model and provides children with age appropriate explanations, which teaches them right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a strong partnership with parents. The childminder discusses the children’s requirements with parents and provides them with daily verbal feedback. The consistency of care enhances children’s security and development. For example, the childminder adheres to children’s sleep routines and food requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a clear understanding of the complaints procedure. She has recording systems available, which would enable her to record any issues and share these with parents.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of caring for young children, which meets their individual needs. Children feel at home in the well-organised environment. They benefit from the childminder’s effective organisation, which provides them with a good variety of interesting activities.

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Organisation

The childminder cares for children according to their parent’s wishes. She has the majority of written consent forms, signed by parents, which promotes children’s well-being. Although parents know the childminder’s husband very well and they are aware of the fact that he may, on rare occasions, care for the children for short periods, the childminder has not gained written consent for this arrangement. There are effective systems in place to ensure that the childminder’s assistant is fully aware of all the children’s needs, which promotes their welfare. Parents give their written consent for the assistant to transport children in a vehicle.

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Organisation

The childminder has good systems in place to record the attendance of all children. However, the record does not show the times when her assistant cares for the children, which compromises their welfare.

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Organisation

Effective organisation ensures that all adults in the home have the required in enhanced police check. The childminder organises all relevant information and documentation to support the care of children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to maintain an accurate record of children's attendance. The childminder maintains accurate records of all children attending, including those over the age of eight years. The record shows the times of their arrival and departure and includes periods of absence. The daily monitoring of children's attendance supports their welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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 good. 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 the garden is secure • extend the daily attendance record to ensure it includes the names of the persons who looked after the children.

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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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