Childminder in Bracknell Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 153303 Inspection date 04 May 2005 Inspector Bharti Vakil

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three school aged children, in Wembley in the London Borough of Brent. The whole of the home apart from the main bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years old and two school aged children. She is not registered to provide overnight care. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends toddler groups. The childminder

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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 is a member of a local support group. She has experience of supporting children who have English as an additional language. The family has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted as the childminder has effective hygiene procedures in place. There are good hand washing routines before preparation of food and after nappy changes. Children's welfare is promoted as they learn good hygiene practices and healthy eating habits. For example, they are offered lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, they are encouraged to wash hands before eating and after toileting. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are unwell or suffering from infections. They are well cared for in emergency situations as the childminder has thorough procedures in place for accidents. However, the childminder is required to update her First Aid training. Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks and meals, which are provided to meet their individual dietary requirements. They are able to access drinking water independently

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Helping children to be healthy

at any time. Children sit and eat comfortably at child-size tables and chairs and they enjoy sociable meal times with the childminder. Children's emotional well-being is fostered well. For example parents are asked to gradually stay with their child when they first begin to attend. This makes their separation as positive as possible. Children establish close relationships with the childminder who offers consistent praise. This gives them security and confidence to express their needs and requests. As a result, children are very happy and secure. Children enjoy exercise outdoors in the fresh air daily as they climb, bounce, slide and run in the back garden. They also enjoy regular outings to the parks and child friendly settings such as toddler groups where a wider range of physical activities is available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm and welcoming home as the childminder has organised the space in her home appropriately. They explore freely and enthusiastically and develop their independence skills as the childminder has made the premises safe. They are relaxed and at home as space has been organised to meet their individual needs. For example, they eat, rest and play comfortably. The younger children have separate allocated spaces for play and rest. Children benefit from using a range of good quality nursery equipment such as, a travel cot, a high chair, child size table and chairs and nappy changing facilities which means that the children's care needs are well met. Children's toys and learning

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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 resources are attractively set out and organised well so that children can reach them with ease. As a result children happily use these and make progress in their learning. Children’s welfare is protected through the childminder’s good 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 have easy access to a very good range of suitable toys which promotes their learning and development. They are curious and interested in the wide range of activities offered. Children are developing their speech and language as the childminder asks them questions and encourages them to chat. This also helps them make sense of the world they live in. Children enjoy listening to a range of stories and they have good opportunities to practise their early writing skills when drawing, painting and cutting. They enjoy counting and recognising colours and shapes when playing with puzzles and bricks. They particularly enjoy singing as they giggle and tickle each other. Children are using their senses to explore. They enjoy sticking with various materials. They involve the childminder in their play and they receive lots of warm and individual attention which enables them to extend their learning. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

get pleasure from regular outings to child friendly settings such as toddler groups. This gives them opportunities to explore new activities and enjoy relationships with other children. Children are making progress in various areas of their development as the childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop through play and have fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are content and comfortable as their individual needs are met by the childminder. They turn to the childminder for comfort and to have their requests heard. Children make themselves at home. They select toys independently and help themselves to drinks. Children have time to be active and relax when reading books, singing and cuddling up for a story. The childminder ensures that parents share information about their child's individual needs, routine, interests, likes and dislikes and follows these through. Children build positive images of the world they live in as the childminder provides suitable activities and resources. The childminder understands the importance of helping them to develop a strong identity and feel good about themselves, their family and others. As a result, children gain self-assurance and confidence. Children are very well-behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and offers lots of praise and encouragement. Children are developing a sense of right from wrong, they are learning to take turns and share. They develop positive

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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 relationships with the childminder and they learn to be caring and considerate to each other.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder remains suitably qualified and experienced to work with young children. She is keen to develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children. For example, by attending the course Birth to Three Matters and by updating her First Aid training. All records and documentation are well organised and maintained. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of the childminding provision and to promote the welfare and care of the children. This means that overall, the needs of the children are met. The children are happily settled in the warm and comfortable home. The childminding environment is very well organised. The areas for play, rest and eating are well set out helping children to feel secure with their surroundings and what is expected. Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder as she has sound understanding for caring for young children. Their individual needs are met through

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Organisation

flexible routines. Children are relaxed and happy.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has gained knowledge and understanding of her responsibility in child protection. As a result children's welfare is safeguarded. The attendance and accident records now include the required details. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of the childminding provision and promotes the welfare and care of the children.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • attend a 12 hour course and obtain a first aid certificate for infants and young children.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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