Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY307517 Unique Reference Number 02 April 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and one in Burghfield Common, near Reading in Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder takes children to and collects from local schools and nurseries. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local park and library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children on a part- time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about good personal hygiene through their daily routine. The childminder has good hygiene practices herself and supports the children well, ensuring that they wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children's health is actively promoted by the childminder who responds appropriately, when they are ill. The children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of their individual health needs and most of the relevant documentation is in place, to support the meeting of these needs. However, the childminder has not obtained written permission from parents for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, which contributes to keeping the children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements and preferences are known by the childminder. The children enjoy healthy meals and can access drinks at all times during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy physical exercise and the childminder successfully plans their day to ensure that they have a wide range of activities to help them develop physically. The children benefit from playing in the garden and outings to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming for children. The children use the downstairs rooms for playing in and are well supervised by the childminder. She conducts regular risk assessments and gives priority to ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. However, in the garden, a fence panel is missing and the gate to the road is not secured. In the kitchen, the fire blanket is not sited on the wall. The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending, which includes items such as car seats. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has built up a good range of toys and resources for the children to use, which covers all areas of their development. The children independently access toys and activities for themselves from the range in the living room and ask the childminder to get out anything they can not reach, for example books from the higher shelf.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a working knowledge of safeguarding children issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and knows the local routes of referral.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy, relaxed and confident. They settle and interact well with the childminder and her children. The children select what they would like to do from the range of stage appropriate toys and resources. The childminder allows the children to decide for themselves what they would like to do and is supportive of their choices. The childminder joins in with the children's play, for example playing guessing games with them and sitting on the floor to help complete puzzles. The childminder recognises the needs of all the children and gives each the attention they need.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes into account the children's own routines when planning the day. She ensures that the children experience a variety of activities and experiences both in the home and in the local community, for example, taking children to the library and the local park. The childminder encourages the children to be involved in everyday routines, for example, tidying up before going out.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has good knowledge of the individual needs of each child through ongoing discussion with parents. She ensures that all children are included in the activities at a level appropriate to their stage. The children use a range of resources, which promote a positive view of different cultures and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children understand the rules and boundaries that are in place. They know that they should ask if they need to go upstairs to use the bathroom. They understand the rules for acceptable behaviour and the childminder talks with them so that they are aware of why any unwanted behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder encourages good standards of behaviour and praises the children's efforts and achievements, which promotes their confidence and self esteem, for example playing well together and sharing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. Contracts are in place so that both parents and childminder are clear about the arrangements. The childminder keeps a written record of activities undertaken during the day and discusses with parents daily to keep them informed about events and their children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children benefit from the childminder's good organisation. The childminder organises her time and the space available well, to give the children a good range of play and learning experiences both in and outside of the home environment.

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Organisation

The childminder has most of the required documentation in place to make sure that she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. However, she has not obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The certificate of registration is displayed for parents to see, so they are aware of the conditions of registration.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • make sure that the garden is secure so that children are unable to leave unsupervised.

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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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