Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY239892 Unique Reference Number 16 March 2007 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 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 registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and seven years in Caversham Heights , near Reading in Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. 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 five children at any one time and is currently caring for two children aged under five on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local pre-schools and schools. The childminder attends local toddler clubs.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder follows the children’s own routines ensuring continuity of care for the children. She has a good understanding of each child's individual needs, which promotes their wellbeing. The children are learning good personal hygiene skills, as the childminder follows good hygiene practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents' requests with regard to their children's dietary needs are adhered to and these are fully discussed when a new minding agreement begins. The childminder knows the children’s health needs but has not obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for physical play both indoors and outdoors which help them develop their skills. The childminder takes them to places, such as the local park and toddler clubs, where they have further opportunities for this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around the rooms safely and freely. They use the space appropriately and are aware of the areas where they can and cannot play. Children are safe as the childminder is proactive in spotting any potential hazards and takes prompt action to minimise risks. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe, for example through regular evacuation drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children access resources for themselves from toys in the playroom. The children direct their own play and the childminder monitors the selection of resources to ensure that they are suitable and safe for the children's age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards the children's welfare through a good working knowledge of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well, are confident and relate well to each other and adults present. They select what they would like to do from the range of appropriate toys, which they can easily access for themselves or with assistance from the childminder. Children are happy and settled in the childminder’s care. The childminder makes good use of daily routines and plans activities to promote the children’s development and enjoyment. She encourages conversation, enabling children to develop their language skills. Children enjoy the company of the childminder and form good relationships with her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children direct their own play, supported by the childminder. They respond well to suggestions from the childminder to extend their play, for example by reading books and

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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 building towers with bricks. They enjoy outings in the area, for example to the park and socialising at the local toddler club.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the individual needs of children in her care. Information from parents is regularly updated which enables the childminder to give each child appropriate care. Children access a range of toys and resources that reflect the diversity of society, which increases their knowledge of different cultures and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children know right from wrong as the childminder uses appropriate age and stage strategies for managing their behaviour. They know the rules for acceptable behaviour and the childminder talks with them so that they are aware of why any unwanted behaviour is unacceptable. Their efforts and achievements are praised well by the childminder, which promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents. They work together to meet the child’s individual care and developmental needs. Children’s activities and achievements during the day are shared with parents verbally when they collect their child and the childminder completes daily diaries, ensuring good home links.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder makes good use of the available space and organises the children's routine well by planning activities, outings, rest and quiet times within her daily programme. As a result, the children feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

Continuity of care for the children is assured through the effective use of contracts, policies and procedures. Most of the required documentation needed to support the running of the childminder's business is in place. However, the childminder does not have written permission for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. In addition, she has not maintained a current first aid certificate, which may affect the attention given to a child who has a minor accident.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, one recommendation was made. This was to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has not carried out this recommendation and it has again be highlighted at this inspection.

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Improvements 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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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.

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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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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): • request written permission from parents for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children and ensure that a current first aid certificate is 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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