Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339854 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2007 Inspection date Deborah Jaqueline Newbury 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and four years of age in a residential area of Binfield in Berkshire. The home is within walking distance of a local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding apart from the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for one child aged one year for three days a week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children regularly go out for walks or to visit the park. The childminder takes children to and from a local nursery. The family has a pet dog.

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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. Children's good health is promoted well because the childminder implements effective practice to reduce the potential for cross infection and to ensure a clean and hygienic environment. For instance, she wears gloves when she changes nappies and takes positive steps to make sure the family dog does not pose a health risk to children. Outdoor shoes are not worn inside the home especially as young children spend much of their time playing on the floor. The childminder makes a point of washing young children's hands at appropriate times and thus, helps them begin to gain awareness that this forms part of the daily routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a varied range of nutritious home-cooked meals. These look and smell appetising. Mealtimes are sociable occasions as everyone sits together to eat. Young children are positioned close to the table in high chairs so that they too are fully included. The childminder plans menus and informs parents, in writing, of what children eat on a daily basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have ample space to move freely around those areas of the home used for minding. They go out daily for walks or to visit the park, and so, benefit from periods of physical activity and fresh air. Sleeping babies are checked regularly by the childminder to ensure their safety. They rest in warm, comfortable surroundings and, on wakening, are greeted gently and cuddled which helps them to feel secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to ensure this at all times. Her home is very well-maintained and offers a comfortable environment for children. Good attention is given to ensuring security, fire safety and the use of appropriate safety features that have regard for the ages and stages of development of the children currently in her care. Practice is underpinned by good record-keeping and well-thought out policies. For instance, the childminder keeps written records of her monthly smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector checks and she keeps a diary of people who visit her home whilst minded children are present. She has given consideration to the action she would take in the event of the Broodmoor alarm sounding at times other than its usual testing time. The childminder ensures children stay safe when they are taken out or are transported in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a good range of age appropriate play materials that take account of all areas of child development. These are organised well and are checked regularly to ensure everything is safe and ready for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has devised a detailed written child protection procedure which she shares with parents to ensure that they have a clear understanding of her responsibility to act in the best interests of children should she have any concerns. However, the childminder's knowledge of different types of child abuse and neglect and possible signs and symptoms is not fully secure. Children are not left unattended when in the presence of unvetted persons.

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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. There is a happy atmosphere at this childminder's home with lots of laughter, chattering and cuddles. Children are confident in their relationship with her and they benefit from good levels of interaction. Babies develop their hand/eye co-ordination and exploratory skills as they spend time putting objects inside a container and then tipping them out again. The childminder responds to this interest by providing more objects and she joins in with the game as she is handed items. She responds to young children's gestures and sounds and thus, supports their developing communication skills. The childminder knows what toys babies enjoy playing with and ensures that these are placed within their easy reach.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans the children's day around their individual routines. They participate in a varied day with opportunities for child initiated play and adult planned activities although the childminder adopts a flexible approach to this, recognising that children do not always want to take part in some activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children have opportunities to mix with other children and begin to develop their social skills as the childminder takes them to a weekly music and movement group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and with equal concern. They are not restricted in their choice of play materials provided these are age appropriate and the childminder adapts activities as necessary to ensure all children can participate at their own level. They have access to resources that reflect positive images of diversity to help them gain awareness of the wider world in which we live. Children feel secure because the childminder is reassuring and their self-esteem is fostered through her use of praise. Young children beam with delight as the childminder claps them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit because the childminder seeks information from parents about their daily routines, preferences and individual care needs and takes steps to abide by these. This ensures continuity of care and helps children to feel secure. There is an informal exchange of information between parents and childminder at drop off and collection times. This is supplemented by completion of a written daily report. This includes information about what meals have been provided, sleeps and nappy changes, planned daily activities and some general information, for instance about how children have been. Parents are therefore able to feel involved and included in their children's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit because the childminder organises her home, time and resources well to meet their individual needs. For instance, toys are arranged to enable young children to independently access those items that are most suited to their ages and stages of development, whilst other

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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 play materials, for example those for older children or those that require some adult assistance, are stored out of their reach.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed the required Introduction to childminding course and is enrolled on an appropriate first aid course. She is also booked on a Birth to 3 matters course.

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Organisation

Required documentation and other records that contribute to the safe management of the provision and the safety and welfare of children are in place. Paperwork is well organised and stored securely to ensure confidentiality. The childminder has devised a comprehensive set of written policies and procedures about all aspects of her service and it is evident that a lot of time, thought and effort has been given to developing these. Currently though, the complaints procedure does not include any information about the time-scale in which the childminder will respond to any written complaints received about her service. Parents are provided with their own copy of the policies for ease of access and their future reference.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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): • develop further existing knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • expand further the written complaints procedure to include details of the time-scale for investigating and reporting back on any written concerns/complaints received from parents.

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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 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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