Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342819 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Juon 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and five years in Burnham, Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is available for childminding. There is a garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder's registration is to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and she is currently minding three children attending on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and takes children to the local library and park.

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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 play happily in a clean home where they are well cared for and benefit from the childminder’s good routine for playing, eating and resting. Children stay healthy because the childminder has appropriate hygiene routines for cleaning and food storage to prevent the spread of infection. Children are beginning to learn the importance of good personal hygiene and the need to wash their hands after using the toilet, although they did not wash their hands prior to eating snack. The childminder’s completion of accident and medication records safeguards children’s wellbeing. However, parents do not sign the record of the dose following administration. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and can take appropriate action to care for children in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children engage in physical activities inside and outside the home that helps to keep them healthy and fit. They walk to school and use local facilities, such as the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder’s liaison with parents ensures her understanding of the children’s individual routine and dietary needs. Children receive nutritious snacks and meals that help them understand foods that are good for them to make healthy choices. The childminder stores food appropriately in the refrigerator to ensure food remains fresh for children. Children have regular access to drinks throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are safe, secure and move around freely in the welcoming home where the childminder has minimised the areas of risk. The home is comfortable and child oriented; children are able to rest in comfort on the large settee. Children have easy access to a varied range of age appropriate toys and equipment. This enables children to choose toys and instigate play. Children’s artwork is appreciated and put on display, promoting their self-esteem. There is ample child size furniture where children can decide to sit during play and complete activities. The childminder ensures toys and equipment are safe for children to use at all times, through regular checking and maintenance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is clear about how to evacuate children from her home in an emergency but they have yet to practise the procedure together to ensure their quick exit. Children benefit from a range of safety measures, including cupboard and refrigerator locks. The children are kept safe on outings by the childminder’s close supervision and the use of a buggy. The children repeat the green cross code when crossing the road to raise their awareness of road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To safeguard children’s wellbeing the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues. Parents are aware of her responsibility to the children and the childminder has information on the signs and symptoms to look out for and the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care.

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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 outstanding. Children are very happy, settled and relaxed in the company of the childminder. They are motivated, eager and actively participate in and enjoy the activities and experiences on offer to them. Children are extremely confident and self-assured because of the excellent support and encouragement they receive from the childminder, for example, when using laptop computers or making valentine cards. Children access a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences both within and away from the childminding setting, which support the growth of children's development across all areas. For example, the children were looking forward to going on a visit to the farm. Children relate very well to each other and good relationships are evident. The childminder is enthusiastic. She uses her wealth of play work experience to plan an extensive range of opportunities and activities, which are organised around particular themes

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of interest. During the recent weeks there have been activities based on transport. Children have the opportunity in a very simple way to increase their knowledge, for example, making boats and linking this to sinking and floating. There are books available, which link to the theme and provide children with information in words and pictures. Children benefit from the childminder's ability to balance her intervention in children’s play to extend learning or leave children to develop their own fun, for example, in imaginative play. Access to very good resources and interaction from the childminder sustains children's interest enabling them to develop their play successfully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals helping them to feel good about themselves. 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. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through occasional outings and resources. Children show a sense of belonging, fostered through displays of their work and daily involvement in selecting toys and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, responding positively to praise and encouragement. They are familiar with the routines and are beginning to understand the simple boundaries for good behaviour such as, sharing and saying 'thank you'; helping children understand right from wrong. The childminder uses appropriate strategies to manage behaviour that are consistent and take into account children’s level of understanding, for example, distraction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The cooperative and friendly partnership with parents contributes to children’s wellbeing in the setting to meet their individual needs. The childminder actively seeks parents’ views about their children’s needs and interests. A daily exchange of verbal and written information helps to provide consistent care between childminder and home. Paperwork is complete to ensure children’s personal information is up to date to promote their welfare and development. Parents have current contact details of the regulator and the procedure to follow if they have a complaint.

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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 good. The children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure, confident and at home in the setting. The childminder maintains appropriate ratios to support children’s care, learning and play. She uses her time well and her flexible approach allows children the opportunity to organise and pursue their own games as well as participating in planned, themed activities.

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Organisation

The childminder holds relevant professional qualifications and has previous experience of working within the childcare field. She attends training whenever she can to improve her skills and provide appropriate care for the children she looks after.

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Organisation

Parents and children benefit from the clear documentation and records; written policies and procedures effectively guide the childminder in her daily practice. However, she does need to display the registration certificate at all times. 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. 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): • ensure parents sign the written record of medicines given to children • display the certificate of registration.

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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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