Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342830 Unique Reference Number 02 February 2007 Inspection date Keriann Belcher 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 two children aged nine and three years in a house in Langley, Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child full-time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two cats and goldfish as pets.

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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 remain healthy as they play and learn within a home which is maintained to a good standard of cleanliness. The children are benefiting from the childminder's sound understanding of good hygiene practices and are learning the importance of good personal hygiene. For example, washing her hands after changing nappies and changing garments when soiled or wet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive appropriate care if they have accidents and all accidents are recorded. They are protected from illness and infection and the childminder has a written accident and illness policy to support her practice. Children maintain healthy bodies as they have daily fresh air as they go for walks. They visit the park and move freely around the indoor minding environment to access a variety of activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's awareness of eating a balanced diet. She discusses the healthy options, appropriate to the children's ages and stage of development, to include the food that is provided by the parents. Drinks are available at all times so that children do not become dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel at ease, as they are cared for in a warm and welcoming home. They are content to explore and investigate their surroundings. For example, children help themselves to the toys, which are attractively laid out on the floor. Children are able to explore and investigate their environment safely as the childminder makes good use of the space. For example, toddlers can crawl or pull themselves up on the furniture within easy reach of the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are adequately protected from potential dangers as the childminder takes steps to reduce the hazards such as ensuring harmful substances are out of reach and electric sockets are covered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected by the childminder's secure understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are progressing in their development as there is a good range of activities and experiences provided by the childminder. For example, through everyday activities such as, visiting local toddler groups, library and musical song times. Children are making good progress in all areas of their development as the childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. For example, children are encouraged to develop their language skills, as they enjoy looking at simple picture books and as the childminder reads the story.

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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 The interaction is warm and affectionate, and children are able to express their needs confidently. They receive a lot of attention from the childminder. For example, snuggling into her lap when tired or shy with strangers. Consequently, children are very happy and confident in their environment; they play well with a satisfactory range of toys and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's good behaviour is encouraged by talking to the children about their behaviour or distracting a younger child to an alternative activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's respectful attitude towards anti-discriminatory practice; such as, she does not accept any offensive remarks or behaviour. However, there are very limited resources that reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children's individual needs are valued. For example, children's individual dietary needs are known by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an equal opportunities and behaviour management to support her practice and shares these with parents together with all other written policies. However, there is not a log to record complaints in line with the new regulations as set out in the 2005 amendments to the National Standards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships are established with parents. For example, each child is offered introductory visits to gradually settle and get to know the childminder. Parents are given daily verbal feedback, along with a written account about their child's day, which keeps them well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provider remains suitably qualified to register as she ensures that children are not left unsupervised with adults that have not been police checked. She has completed her childminding and first aid training.

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Organisation

Children are very happy within the childminder's care and spend their time purposefully engaged in well supported play. The childminder organises her time and space effectively to ensure children experience a variety of activities both within and outside the home environment. Overall children's individual needs are respected and they are treated with equal concern. However, there are limited resources that reflect positive images of diversity.

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Organisation

She ensures children are safe and secure and maintains a daily attendance record with all necessary detail. She has a good range of documentation to support most areas of her practice. However, does not have a log to record complaints to inform parents of any previous concerns raised about her service provision.

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Organisation

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

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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

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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): • enhance the range of toys and resources that promote positive images of diversity • establish a log to record complaints in line with the new regulations as set out in the 2005 amendments to the National Standards.

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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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