Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY263052 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2007 Inspection date Margaret Moffat 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and two children aged 11 and nine years in Prestwood, Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five on a part time basis, and one children over five before and after school and during school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. The childminder takes the children to the local park and activities in the area. The family have some fish.

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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. Children flourish in a warm and welcoming, clean family home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. For example, from an early age they are encouraged to wash their hands and wipe their own noses. The childminder keeps all areas the children use hygienically clean and the children use paper towels to prevent the spread of germs. The childminder is a good role model, washing her own hands at appropriate times and using gloves when changing nappies. She has considered the appropriate procedures to ensure children's welfare whilst in her care. For example, she holds a first aid certificate and has a sick children policy. All required documentation is in place to record accidents and medication administered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to engage in a very good range of physical activities that keep them healthy, such as soft play area and walks to the local parks and woods. They play with wheeled toys in the toddler group and have access to an excellent range of safe and age appropriate equipment within the home which helps develop their fine motor skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes healthy eating within her home. All meals are homemade and the childminder uses fresh ingredients to prepare these. The childminder discusses and records children's individual needs and parents' wishes, and provides menus to ensure they are aware of what their children will be eating. Children enjoy their food at meal times as they tuck into the healthy and nutritious lunch of cheese, bananas, grapes, strawberries, carrots and ham sandwiches, which is attractively presented. Younger children develop independence as they learn to feed themselves.

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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 safe and secure environment where the childminder has taken suitable precautions to minimise hazards and ensure children's safety. For example, socket covers and safety gates are in place. The childminder has a written fire safety plan which she shares with parents and regularly completes a fire drill with the children. The children learn to keep safe in the home as the childminder discusses potential dangers with them, for example why they should be still until hot drinks are put on the table out of their reach. The childminder gains written permission from parents to take children out and ensures they travel in appropriate age car seats.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a good range of toys and resources, which are suitable for their age and stage of development. These are stored appropriately and the childminder regularly checks and cleans them, to ensure they remain safe for the children to use. Older children have opportunities to play with toys and resources which contain small parts, when the younger children are asleep. The childminder has a culture box which contains a very good selection of books, costumes, puzzles and small world items helping the children become aware of the wider world.

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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 Children benefit from the clear understanding the childminder has on child protection. She is fully aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, settled and very at home in the childminder's house. They settle quickly when they arrive back from outings and the older children play harmoniously together as the childminder prepares lunch. They make independent choices about the toys and resources they wish to use from the exciting range available. Children play well together; they share and are polite to each other. For example, when threading beads one child asks the other for a particular bead and the child gives it, child responds by saying thank you.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children eagerly participate and enjoy good levels of adult interaction during their play. When telling stories the childminder uses puppets as props and encourages the children as she stimulates conversation by being the voice of the rabbit. Children show delight as the rabbit asks them how they are and they sing 'the rabbit song'. The childminder extends the activity by introducing other soft toy creatures such as butterfly, ant and ladybird. The children describe the creatures and they talk about caterpillars changing into butterflies. The childminder reads the story of the 'very hungry caterpillar' and children re-tell the story by looking at the pictures. Children have opportunities to go with the childminder and purchase new toys such as creative tiles. They proudly inform visitors that they went to the shops to buy them and like playing with them. Children use the tiles to make the models they see on the pictures and confidently

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ask the childminder to help put them together. They develop their imagination through activities such as pretend play. Children instigate their own scenarios and discuss how they are going to creep along the floor and catch the witches. They experience a well balanced day with opportunities to be active, quiet and have time for resting. Outings are undertaken on most days and include visits to a variety of local parks and toddlers group and soft play centre providing the children opportunities to socialise with a wider group of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very warm and affectionate towards the children making them feel comfortable and valued. She develops excellent relationships with the children; she enjoys their company and knows them well. She plans an interesting and stimulating range of activities ensuring the children are making good progress in all areas of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gets to know the children well, by talking and listening to them and as a result they are treated with respect and equal concern. The childminder has a sound understanding of equal opportunities issues and has a positive attitude towards diversity. This helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures. They access a suitable range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity, for example celebrating different festivals from around the world and food tasting.

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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 Children receive encouraging praise and recognition for their positive behaviour and their efforts, which develops their self esteem. They are well behaved, polite and respond to the childminder's requests to tidy up. Children are kind and caring towards each other and have a developing knowledge of what is right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership their parents develop with the childminder. She discusses the children's individual needs thoroughly with the parents, and information is exchanged through verbal feedback and daily diaries. This two way flow of communication contributes to the overall well-being and continuity of care of the children. Parents report they are happy with the service the childminder provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder offers children a good level of support and this helps them to feel settled and at ease in her care. Areas of the home are well organised with ample space for children to move around and play comfortably. The childminder displays her registration certificate for parents to see and shares her policies and procedures with them. She has all the relevant documentation in place to ensure children's safety and welfare. However, records of children's attendance are not maintained accurately. The childminder continues her professional development and approach to childminding through attending regular training courses, to further improve the service to children and their parents. 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 last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the first aid box is checked frequently and contents replaced as necessary in order to meet current requirements. The childminder has a first aid box in place with all newly purchased contents. This helps promote children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

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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 records of attendance are accurately maintained.

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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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